Back to resources

Nilekanis pledge half of wealth to charity

Strategic Philanthropy | Nov 21, 2017

Infosys co-founder and tech billionaire Nandan Nilekani and his wife Rohini Nilekani have joined ‘The Giving Pledge’, an elite network of the worlds wealthiest individuals committing half their wealth to philanthropy. The Giving Pledge website uploaded Nilekanis’ letter signing up for the cause. The letter said, “We thank Bill and Melinda for creating this unique opportunity to realise a moral aspiration inspired by the Bhagwad Gita “Karmanye Va dhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana, Ma karma phalaheturbhurma Te Sangostvakarmani.” “We have a right to do our duty,but no automatic right to the fruits from the doing. It is critical that we do not slip into inaction fearing that we may not be able to reap direct reward. It is to this ideal that we pledge,” it added.

View PDF

More like this

Strategic Philanthropy

Smart Philanthropy - The Science Of Giving

Corporate givers like Rohini Nilekani make every buck count. India Inc. and its residents are waking up to the difference between charity and philanthropy. That could, as several works-in-progress demonstrate, result in some good. Thinking woman’s philanthropy: Rohini Nilekani with some of the beneficiaries of the microfinance initiative Sanghamitra, of which she is a part. […]
Aug 27, 2006 | Article

Strategic Philanthropy  |  Civil Society  |  COVID-19

Community Cares: A City Responds

This is an edited version of a conversation about the community response to the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, moderated by Rohini Nilekani. Panelists include Anshu Gupta, Nalini Sekhar and Kuldeep Dantewadia. The times we are living in, and the reality of COVID-19, means that we are being called on to do things in new ways and […]
Apr 3, 2020 | Panel Discussions

Strategic Philanthropy

Building Trust Through Grantee Feedback: The Story of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies

This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s conversation with The Centre For Effective Philanthropy. She talks about the importance of feedback, speaking truth to power and trust-based philanthropy.    We set up Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies only recently because earlier much of my philanthropy work was done through Arghyam, my foundation for water, or […]
Feb 25, 2021 |

Strategic Philanthropy

Karnas of Philanthrophy - Telugu - Eenadu

Nandan Nilekani and Rohini Nilekani have pledged half their wealth for Philanthrophy. View PDF
Jun 1, 2018 | Personality