India’s new rich prove reluctant philanthropists

A huge charity gift by a high-tech tycoon has shone a harsh light on the philanthropic track record of India’s established and emerging billionaires. Azim Premji, who transformed a family-owned cooking oil firm into the software giant Wipro, announced earlier this month that he was giving two billion dollars to fund rural education. The 100 wealthiest Indians have a net worth equal to 25 percent of India’s GDP and Premji’s donation — by far the largest ever made by an individual — was seen as a challenge to others in the ultra-rich club.