The Art of Philanthropy

Hello friends, today I’m going to tell you about the grand gesture of hope shown by the founder- chairman of IT major Wipro, Mr Azim Premji. The great philanthropist who is annointed the most generous Indian, by donating a whopping ₹ 7,904 Cr in fiscal year 2020 for charitable activities. Through his dint he has turned Wipro from a hydrogenated oil producing company to a large conglomerate. Despite having a net worth of US $32.5 billion, Azim Premji has lived a simple and modest life. According to his son Rishad Premji, he asserts that he is the trustee of his wealth not the owner.

The former IT czar( he relinquished his post in 2019 to pay his full attention to philanthropy), further says,

“I strongly believe that those of us, who are privileged to have wealth should contribute significantly to try and create a better world for the millions who are far less privileged. “

The above statement is the true reflection of a man he is. The Azim Premji foundation he set up in 2021 to improve the quality of education in rural India, works with over 3,50,000schools. The Azim Premji University is not limited to school education , it includes other allied fields such as livelihoods, health, governance and sustainability which contribute to human development as a whole. The philanthropy section also provide handsome assistance to the genuine NGOs who are working forthe upliftment of downtrodden.

Premji said that children should be exposed to the real world of India – inequitable distribution of income, injustice and indignity of millions – to help grow a sense of humanness within them. He asked to go out and engage with the real world and get the hands dirty and see the problems all live with and that will move one to do whatever he or she can.

Not only that, in these trying times, Mr Premji has committed ₹1000 CR in addition to ₹1125 CR already announced for Covid relief efforts. The common people have been greatly devastated by the continuous onslaught of the pandemic. If more wealthy people like him come forward and work to support the downtrodden, a foundation of more robust society could be laid. Even the middle income group can lend their hand in whatever way possible to help the people in distress. Crowd fundings for a cause, are the best examples.

In the recent ‘Yaas’ cyclone devastation I have seen so many individual people or in group coming forward to help the homeless people of Sundarban and Midnapore region. These are the healthy sign of conscious society, which must be further encouraged and strengthened.

Friends, philanthropy doesn’t imply just to give away money but to ensure that it reaches the right persons and alleviate them from poverty and destitution. Then only an equitable society should be built where no body is deprived or helpless, where all the children get the education and learn the lifeskills which would go a long way in building a more healthy and happy society in future.