Articles 1 to 10 of 29
Philanthropy in India Is Taking Its Own Route
Philanthropy is the flavor of the month in India: Wipro chairman Azim Premji recently became the first person in the country to sign up for the Giving Pledge, a commitment by the world's richest people to dedicate the majority of their wealth to charity. P.N.C. Menon, founder of the Sobha group, has promised to devote half of his fortune to philanthropic efforts. In Mumbai, the Dasra Philanthropic Week brought together some key players to discuss the roadmap ahead for charitable giving in the nation. Among the key themes that emerged was the realization that philanthropy in India must go its own way.
Corruption in India: Multinationals Join the Accused
India has been beset by a number of big-ticket corruption cases in recent times. The scandals have so far largely involved politicians and local companies. Now several multinationals are coming under scrutiny, though the magnitude and the issues are quite different. Is it just an attempt to divert attention from the real scams or is corruption a way of doing business in India?
How Relevant Are Leadership Lessons from an Ancient Indian Classic?
With iconic corporate leaders like Rajat Gupta, former managing director of consulting firm McKinsey & Co., being convicted of insider trading, leadership principles and corporate ethics are once again in the spotlight. In his recent book, Timeless Leadership: 18 Leadership Sutras from The Bhagavad Gita, Debashis Chatterjee, director of the Indian Institute of Management in Kozhikode, has tried to glean universal leadership lessons from the ancient Indian classic.
Corporate Social Responsibility in India: No Clear Definition, but Plenty of Debate
The problem with corporate social responsibility (CSR) is that nobody is very clear about what exactly it encompasses. The Indian government has been trying to make it mandatory for companies to spend a certain percentage of their profits on CSR. Facing strong criticism, the government gave up the effort in mid-July and made the spending voluntary. But the debate continues.
Wharton's Jason Wingard: 'The Internet Has Democratized Philanthropy'
Over the past two decades, profound changes have taken place in one of the oldest human practices -- philanthropy. According to Jason Wingard, vice dean of executive education and adjunct professor of management at Wharton, one of the biggest factors causing this has been the growth of the Internet and social media. In an interview with India Knowledge@Wharton, Wingard talked about the evolution of philanthropy across generations and around the globe, and how it is likely to evolve in the future.
Religious Giving: Do Unregulated 'Temples of God' Really Serve a Higher Purpose?
In the past, religious giving was the prime form of philanthropy in India. Some say it may still be, but the available data indicate that donations to temples, churches and mosques are relatively insignificant compared to other forms of charitable giving. While a few super-rich religious institutions have stolen the limelight and absorbed charitable funds, religion has become primarily a business. The need of the hour may well be to find other, more professional vehicles for connecting donors with the needy, experts say.
CHIP's Katherina Rosqueta: 'India and China Will Leapfrog Past the U.S. in Impact Investing'
One of the most pressing needs in philanthropy today is also the most perplexing -- assessing the social impact of funds contributed. "It is part of our DNA to constantly be thinking about the most effective and efficient use of funds," says Katherina Rosqueta, executive director of the Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania. In an interview with India Knowledge@Wharton, Rosqueta talks about the importance of social impact analysis, new trends in philanthropy and different approaches to philanthropy across the world.
Skills vs. Passion: The Challenges for Corporate Professionals Who Move into the Social Sector
With big donations coming in and opportunities to make a significant impact increasing, the social sector is attracting more and more corporate professionals. But these professionals can be impatient and insensitive to the complexities of social problems. What is required, say philanthropy experts, is a combination of passion and skills.
Temples, Townships and Schools: India's Philanthropic Legacy
In India, philanthropy has often been directed towards religious purposes. The rich have always sought their personal hotline to the gods, and well-funded temples are testimonies to their piety. But other, perhaps more significant bricks-and-mortar evidence of their philanthropy includes cities that started as corporate townships and are now home to millions; colleges and universities that are comparable to the best in India; grammar schools and much more.
How India's New Philanthropists Are Working to Bring About Systemic Change
With India on a liberalized and sound economic footing, Indians are now creating wealth in diverse sectors and in non-traditional ways. Many of the new rich have their roots in middle-class values and work ethic. They are also creating wealth at a much younger age. All this is leading to new attitudes towards giving. While they are reticent about making public displays, India's new philanthropists are looking at ways to bring about deep-rooted, systemic changes. The overall numbers may still be small, but the energy is unmistakable.
