Where are India?s Gates and Buffets?

It's time corporate houses in India too began doing their bit for the underprivileged, says Shalini Narang.

Over the past couple of months, I have been reading with interest, intrigue, reverence and respect about the generous global altruism efforts and initiatives by some of America's richest individuals. From corporate chieftains like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet to artists like Bono and Angelina Jolie - all in their own ways are actively engaged in varied causes for the betterment of human condition in myriad geographies around the world. To free the world of the ills of poverty, disease, illiteracy and accompanying scourges, these individuals, and many like them, have donated millions of dollars towards these causes.

It is heartening to know that rather than leave the poor and their problems to the governments alone to resolve, corporate houses in some of the richest nations have come forward and shown business-like urgency and enterprise in tackling some of the most challenging scourges impacting the majority of the human race. However, going by the global magnitude of the problems of poverty, ill health, illiteracy and disease, there is always scope for others to join and contribute to this effort.

In a world rendered flat by the digital revolution, the very technology that has made businesses interlinked and interdependent globally also makes it easier for corporates around the world to join the efforts to promote and propagate the well-being of the human race.

Though business and social welfare are two different domains, the principles of success in the respective fields can be shared between the two to mutual advantage. I see great potential and promise in this marriage.

While American businesses have all along been at the forefront of global philanthropy thanks to their immense financial clout, it's time the corporates in developing economies like India, China, Russia and Brazil too began doing their bit. The corporates can play a significant role in making human welfare programmes and projects in their regions successful. As far as Indian corporate houses are concerned, many have become global powerhouses, and it's time they began taking up their social responsibilities more seriously.

Moving forward, companies or corporate houses should not be judged only by their bottom lines and share prices but also by the extent of their involvement with various societal causes.

While Laxmi Mittal's brave takeover of Arcelor or the lavishness of his daughter's wedding made headlines in national and international media, we have yet to read or hear about his fabulous wealth being used for some philanthropic purposes, like Bill Gates' global initiatives. It's time Laxmi began now.

Similarly for the Ambani brothers, their generosity, rather than their squabbles, should be making news now!

Another set of people who can and should make a difference in the lives of the poor and the underprivileged are Bollywood icons and other celebrities. They can contribute their two cents towards social causes in a number of ways. For one, they could throw their weight behind non-profit organisations working for upliftment of the underprivileged people by being brand ambassadors.

Lastly, we, the ordinary people, could also come together as global citizens to work for vital causes to ameliorate the condition of the underprivileged people. In my humble opinion, it is a perfect recipe for global peace and progress.