Tech billionaire, Infosys non-executive chairman and co-founder Nandan Nilekani and his wife Rohini have committed half of their wealth to philanthropy. The decision comes as part of the couple joining 'The Giving Pledge', an elite network of the world's wealthiest individuals committing half their wealth to philanthropy.
The Nilekanis are now among the 171 pledgers from around the world to sign up for the cause. ‘The Giving Pledge’ was created by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet in August 2010 to encourage billionaires to dedicate a majority of their wealth for philanthropy.
The Nilekanis are the fourth among Indians to sign up for the pledge after Wipro chairman Azim Premji, Biocon chairman Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Sobha Developers Chairman Emeritus PNC Menon.
‘The Giving Pledge’ website uploaded Nilekanis' letter signing up for the cause.
"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," the letter said.
"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.
Later Bill Gates tweeted on his handle about Nilekanis' pledge on his Twitter handle on Monday.
"I'm amazed by how @NandanNilekani has lent his entrepreneurial passion to philanthropy. I'm delighted to welcome him and his wife Rohini to the Giving Pledge," Gates tweeted.
The Nilekanis said their philanthropic efforts would be directed at societal platforms, which are open, technology-enabled ecosystems or nurturing networks.
"Our philanthropic journey of two decades has been led by Rohini's passion and commitment!" Nilekani tweeted.
Nilekani recently returned to Infosys as non-executive chairman after the exit of Sikka as Infosys CEO. As of October 2017, Nandan Nilekani's net worth stands at $1.71 billion, according to Forbes.
