The contributions from top donors like Shiv Nadar, Mukesh Ambani, and Gautam Adani demonstrate a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainable impact.
India’s wealthiest individuals continue to lead the way in philanthropy activity, with Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, emerging as the second-highest donor in the country, according to the Edelgive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024. The list, released on Thursday, highlights the generosity of India’s billionaires, who are contributing significant portions of their wealth to social causes.
Mukesh Ambani Donation
Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest man, has a net worth of $102.5 billion, according to Forbes. Mukesh Ambani donated a substantial Rs 407 crore in the fiscal year 2024, moving up one place in the rankings. He is only behind HCL’s Shiv Nadar, who has maintained his top position for the third time in the last five years.
Gautam Adani Philanthropy
Meanwhile, Gautam Adani, who ranks as the second richest Indian, holds a net worth of $76.4 billion. Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, retained his fifth position on the list with a philanthropic contribution of Rs 330 crore in FY24. Despite maintaining his ranking, Adani’s charitable donations highlight his commitment to social causes.
Shiv Nadar: Biggest Donor Of India
Shiv Nadar, the founder of HCL, remains the most generous individual donor in India with a massive contribution of Rs 2,153 crore in FY24. Nadar’s donations increased by 5% compared to the previous year, solidifying his reputation as India’s leading philanthropist.
Other Notable Philanthropists:
Among women, Rohini Nilekani, aged 65, led the list with a contribution of Rs 154 crore, primarily focused on ecosystem-building initiatives. She was followed by Susmita Bagchi, who donated ₹90 crore.
In total, there were 203 individuals who each donated more thanRs 5 crore during the fiscal year. Despite this, the average donation amount among the top philanthropists has decreased significantly, dropping to Rs 43 crore from the previous year’s average of Rs 71 crore.
According to Hurun’s rich list, there are now 1,539 individuals in India with a net worth exceeding Rs 1,000 crore each. The cumulative wealth of these ultra-rich individuals grew by an impressive 46% over the past year.
This philanthropic trend underscores the growing culture of giving among India’s wealthiest, reflecting their dedication to contributing towards the welfare of society.