Tech tycoon Shiv Nadar is the most generous Indian: Hurun India

The founder and chairman of IT firm HCL and Shiv Nadar Foundation, Shiv Nadar is the most generous Indian person, said a Hurun India Philanthropy List 2016, a ranking of the most generous individuals from India.

According to the report, HCL founder donated ₹630 crores to various charitable activities through the Shiv Nadar Foundation out of which ₹458 crores was spent on infrastructure projects like building for additional capacity creation for Shiv Nadar University.

Nadar whose net worth is ₹73,000 crore as per Hurun India Rich List, founded HCL in the mid-1970s and transformed the IT hardware company into an IT enterprise over the next three decades by constantly reinventing his company's focus. In 2008, Nadar was awarded Padma Bhushan for his efforts in the IT industry.

His daughter Roshni Nadar Malhotra is responsible for strategic decisions regarding the overall direction of the Shiv Nadar Foundation.

The Hurun Research Institute said the donations were measured by the value of their cash or cash equivalent from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016.

Infosys co-founder, Kris Gopalakrishnan and his wife, Sudha secure second position in the Hurun India philanthropy List and has donated ₹313 crores through his trust, The Pratiksha Trust, which includes projects in education, healthcare, research and entrepreneurship. They also provide scholarships to medical and engineering students and monthly pensions to senior citizens.

Indian business magnate and the richest Indian came third in Hurun India Philanthropy list. Mukesh Ambani, donated ₹303 crore towards healthcare. He channelises his philanthropic initiative through Reliance foundation, his philanthropic arm. The primary aim of the foundation is to promote sustainable growth in India. Besides healthcare, his philanthropic interests include social and rural development and education.

Vaccine billionaire, Cyrus S Poonawalla, who set up Serum Institute has donated ₹250 Crores. The funds raised are used for his philanthropic work, including setting up educational institutes and hospitals. His vision “Health for all with affordable vaccines” is revolutionizing the world saving millions of children around the world.

The Indian businessman, politician and philanthropist billionaire Rahul Bajaj and his family have contributed ₹244 crores  through his CSR spending towards education, healthcare and social development.

Ronnie Screwvala, the founder of the Swades Foundation and Unilazer Ventures donated ₹160 Crores. The sole purpose of the foundation is to provide livelihood, water and sanitation, education and health.

Ajay Piramal donated ₹111 crores through his philanthropic initiative through Piramal Foundation. It includes activities for education (PFEL), health care (Swasthya), water purification (Sarvajal), rural development (Udgam) and women empowerment (Piramal Udgam). Piramal Foundation develops innovative solutions to resolve issues that are critical roadblocks towards unlocking India's economic potential.

 Industrialist, Adi Godrej has contributed ₹74.5 crores out of which ₹44.60 crores have been donated through Pirojsha Godrej Foundation and Soonabai Godrej Foundation for causes such as education and medical aid. He has also contributed INR 4.5 Crore in his personal capacity.

Construction Magnate and chairman of Pallonji Group, Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry has made donations for social development, livelihood enhancement, healthcare, education and environment sustainability. His contribution is mainly attributable to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending of Tata group companies on account of his 18.40% stake.

The only self-made Indian women entrepreneur, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw's personal philanthropy spending is spread across healthcare and education, promoting science, encouraging startups, supporting civic and social issues , encouraging art and artists and other relative areas. She has contributed ₹40 crores in her personal capacity for the same. Her total philanthropic contribution is ₹45 crores.

“India being a young country would take a few more years before consistent philanthropic donations from the entrepreneurs. We would have missed some of the major donors, however, based on the information received 2016 has been a dull year for Indian philanthropy. If we were to consider the international CSR and philanthropic donations, the list would be much longer,”

Top 10 Philanthropist of 2016

Source: Hurun Research Institute & Hurun India Rich List 2016

Education remains the most favored cause

Education remains the most favored philanthropic cause followed by Healthcare and Social Development. Shiv Nadar is the highest Individual contributor for education and his primary objective is to create a measurable impact in the lives of the children and youth.

With initiatives such as Digital India, rural electrification, Modi government has been pushing the need for overall societal development. Taking advantage of such schemes, the Indian entrepreneurs are investing more into rural areas as part of long term business goals.

Cyrus S Poonawalla's Clean City vision for Pune has made him contribute INR 130 Crores towards social responsibility and he aspires to make Indian Urban Cities more livable.

Favored Philanthropic Causes of 2016