Asia’s 2018 Heroes Of Philanthropy: Putting Wealth To A Good Cause

November 15, 2018
Article

Share

Nandan & Rohini Nilekani, 63, 59. Cofounder, Infosys; founder, Arghyam

Pledged to donate 50% of their wealth in November 2017 under the Giving Pledge and said, “Wealth comes with huge responsibility and is best deployed for the larger public interest.” Past contributions include $5 million to the premier Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in Mumbai, Nandan’s alma mater, and a $21.4 million endowment to Arghyam, a foundation set up by Rohini, which addresses water and sanitation issues. The two have also set up the EkStep Foundation, an open-learning platform that has pooled resources to advance literacy and numeracy.

You may also want to read

March 23, 2026
Keynote

Rohini Nilekani at 2026 Indiaspora Forum

TRANSCRIPT: Namaste everyone, how are you? Good. I know you had a good meal and like Shweta said, those of you who want to take a small nap, well, I’m[...]

January 28, 2026
Interview

The Philanthropist | A Joyful Responsibility: Rohini Nilekani’s Philanthropic Journey through White Spaces and Hopeful Futures

Rohini Nilekani did not arrive at her philanthropy with answers, but with questions. There is a particular kind of discipline in journalism: the discipline of not knowing. “You’re trained in[...]

November 20, 2025
Article

The Indian Express | We Need a Mental Health Movement Rooted in Community

When we help others, we help ourselves. It is a win-win described for samaaj by good science Just five minutes a day of contemplative practices to improve mindfulness, connection, insight[...]