Wipro’s Azim Premji tops India philanthropist list

Wipro’s Azim Premji tops India philanthropist listInformation technology (IT) tycoon Azim Premji grabbed the top spot on the list of India's leading philanthropists, according to China-based Hurun Report Inc.

Hurun Report Inc. ranked Mr. Premji at No. 1 in its recently released Hurun India Philanthropy List 2013. As per the report, the 68-year-old Wipro chairman donated Rs 8,000 crore in the past year as his contribution towards the country's philanthropic efforts.

Mr. Premji, who owns 57 per cent of Indian IT giant Wipro, donated his 10 per cent stake in the company to Azim Premji Foundation, which works to promote education in rural India.

Praising Mr. Premji, the report said, "To him (Premji) goes the credit of becoming the first Indian to sign up for the Giving Pledge, a global philanthropic initiative spearheaded by Warren Buffet and Bill Gates."

Mr. Premji was followed by HCL Chairman Shiv Nadar, who donated Rs 3,000 crore towards philanthropic efforts during the last year. The Shiv Nadar Foundation also works towards promoting education, directly benefiting more than fifteen thousand students across the country.

Hurun India Philanthropy List ranked 31 Indians who donated more than Rs 10 crore between April last year and March this year.