Rohini Nilekani, the wife of Infosys co-founder, Nandan Nilekani, has earned the title of India’s most generous woman in the EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024.
When it comes to philanthropic ventures, India’s wealthiest are also often the biggest contributors, donating hundreds of crores to various charitable causes. One such name which has recently risen to prominence is Rohini Nilekani, the wife of Infosys co-founder, Nandan Nilekani, who has earned the title of India’s most generous woman in the EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024.
According to the list, Rohini Nilekani, 65, has donated Rs 154, while the couple has contributed over Rs 450 crore to various charities in 2024. Notably, the Nilekanis in 2017 signed the Giving Pledge, an initiative by wealthy individuals across the world, committed to donating at least half of their fortunes to various charitable causes.
Rohini Nilekani is the Chairperson of the Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and also the co-founder of EkStep, an educational non-profit platform dedicated to improving access to learning resources to underprivileged communities in India. Rohini’s philanthropic ventures are aimed at the upliftment of disadvantaged groups, enhance educational resources, and promote sustainable change in India.
Owing to her philanthropic, Rohini is ranked 10th on the list of most generous philanthropists in India. The 2017 ‘Giving Pledge’ has united the Nilekanis with global philanthropists working to address social and economic challenges faced by downtrodden groups across the world.
According to the EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024, Rohini and Nandan Nilekani have made philanthropy a core part of their live, and over the past three decades, made significant contributions to various causes, particularly related to education and community development.
Rohini’s husband, Nandan Nilekani, aged 69, the co-founder of Infosys, is also well-known for his philanthropic work, and ranks 6th on the list of top philanthropists India, Hurun India noted, adding that the 69-year-old donated a total of Rs 307 crore in 2024, an increase of 62% from his previous year’s contributions.
India’s industrialists and business leaders are famed for their philanthropy, one notable example being Ratan Tata, the late Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group, whose charitable works were hailed not only in India, but across the globe.