PHILANTHROPIC PIONEER
Outlook Business|December 2023
The Infosys co-founder and UIDAI founding chairperson cuts an inspiring figure, not merely for his towering professional achievements but also his consistent philanthropic endeavours
Vinita Bhatia
PHILANTHROPIC PIONEER

NANDAN NILEKANI

On a sweltering July day, 21-year-old Shishir Pandey, a computer science and engineering student, jostled for space at the IIT, Bombay, campus to catch a glimpse of one of the institute’s famous alumni, Nandan Nilekani, at its 65th anniversary celebrations. The excitement around Nilekani’s visit was more apparent because just a month earlier, the Infosys cofounder had announced his decision to donate Rs 315 crore to the institute to mark his 50-year association with it—Nilekani is from the 1973 batch of the institute. Considering his previous grants of Rs 85 crore, his is amongst the most charitable donations to the institution as an alumnus.

The EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2023, released on November 2, 2023, features Nilekani, the co-founder and chairman of Infosys Limited and founding chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India, and his wife, Rohini, at Number 8 and Number 10 respectively after they donated Rs 189 crore and Rs 170 crore in FY23. Rohini is the founder of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and leads the list of women givers. The couple bagged a spot among the top 10 philanthropists in terms of overall giving as well as those donating entirely out of their personal wealth.

Focused Attention

When it comes to philanthropy, Nilekani has stuck to a couple of causes, focusing on education, where tech can play a multiplier effect, and infrastructure. EkStep Foundation, a not-for-profit initiative the couple founded in 2015 along with Shankar Maruwada, provides children access to learning opportunities through its open-source, SunBird digital infrastructure, which supports multiple languages and can disseminate digital educational content at scale.

Esta historia es de la edición December 2023 de Outlook Business.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición December 2023 de Outlook Business.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE OUTLOOK BUSINESSVer todo
'Automation is Redefining Efficiency and Precision in Jewellery Manufacturing'
Outlook Business

'Automation is Redefining Efficiency and Precision in Jewellery Manufacturing'

Increasing brand consciousness and awareness among consumers is helping expand the organised jewellery retail industry. MP Ahammed, chairman of Malabar Group, discusses prominent trends in the jewellery industry

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
BATTLE TO WIN THE AI RACE
Outlook Business

BATTLE TO WIN THE AI RACE

In Supremacy, Parmy Olson tells the astonishing and behind-the-scenes story of the battle between the world’s two leading artificial intelligence firms, OpenAl and DeepMind and the continuing rivalry of its founders Sam Altman and Demis Hassabis respectively

time-read
5 minutos  |
November 2024
A LEADER WHO EMPOWERS
Outlook Business

A LEADER WHO EMPOWERS

Anshul Arzare, MD and CEO of YES SECURITIES, wants to ensure a workplace where employees not only contribute to the company's vision but also feel content

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 2024
EV Unplugged
Outlook Business

EV Unplugged

Electric vehicles are crucial to India’s climate change plan. But reliance on China for imports and technology constraints remain hurdles the sector needs to overcome

time-read
6 minutos  |
November 2024
Every Lamborghini Owner is a Brand Ambassador
Outlook Business

Every Lamborghini Owner is a Brand Ambassador

Regional director of Automobili Lamborghini, Francesco Scardaoni, talks to Prachi Khanna about the brand’s approach to fostering a sense of community among its vehicle owners. Edited excerpts

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 2024
NO ZEST FOR ZED
Outlook Business

NO ZEST FOR ZED

A government initiative to green MSMEs is not finding enough takers

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 2024
SMALL PLANTS, BIG TROUBLE
Outlook Business

SMALL PLANTS, BIG TROUBLE

Climate-triggered stress is placing an unprecedented burden on small businesses. But a lack of access to climate aid hinders the sector's ability to adopt greener methods

time-read
6 minutos  |
November 2024
'We Think About the Rider More Than Any Other Company
Outlook Business

'We Think About the Rider More Than Any Other Company

Rapido co-founder Aravind Sanka talks to Neeraj Thakur and Deepsekhar Choudhury about how flexibility and fair pay helped his company disrupt the Ola-Uber duopoly. Edited excerpts

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 2024
LABOUR PANGS
Outlook Business

LABOUR PANGS

Rising cost of living in a fast-growing economy is making workers restless

time-read
5 minutos  |
November 2024
'Hustle is No Virtue'
Outlook Business

'Hustle is No Virtue'

It has become fashionable to talk about the verb “hustle” these days, especially in professional settings.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 2024