International Women’s Day: Women Philanthropists Driving Social Change in India

Every year on January 24, India commemorates National Girl Child Day. The day is observed to raise awareness about a girl child’s rights and to emphasise the importance of her education, health, and nutrition. The day created by the Ministry of Women and Child Development also strives to support and give opportunities for girls from all around the country.

Empowering a girl child today makes them productive members of society tomorrow. There are so many female leaders in India that are leading an example of what an empowered female can achieve. From winning gold for the country to making the country proud by reaching space, Indian women have proved their grit and determination time and again. Not only are they serving the country by participating in the country’s economy, the Indian women are also known to give back to society by their philanthropic activities. On this note, let us look at three of the top female philanthropists of India and honour them on this National Girl Child Day.

Rohini Nilekani

Rohini Nilekani ranked first in the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List among women, and was among the top 10 philanthopists in India for 2023. The noted philanthropist is a founder of Arghyam Foundation, which was a major contributor to the Rapid Rural Community Response (RRCR), a consortium of 20 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) having an outreach of more than 1.2 million families.

With a vision of ‘safe, sustainable water all,’ the foundation has received funding and partnerships with like-minded individuals and organizations to design and implement transformative solutions. Over the last 13 years, the foundation has built its presence in 22 states to address the issue of water security for vulnerable communities.

Rohini Nilekani takes her philanthropy very seriously. Her efforts are aligned to create a just society where there is equity among people. She has said, “Once you are wealthy, you are in a nice comfort zone and want to stay there. So I always look in the mirror and ask, is my philanthropy making the world a more just and fair place?” And she works to ensure that the answer to this question remains positive.

Malini Saba

Malini Saba, the founder of Saba Group Holdings and a self-made entrepreneur, enunciates the value of using one’s business to help humanity. She established the ‘Anannke Foundation’ (formerly Saba Family Foundation) to serve as the umbrella organisation for all of her philanthropic endeavours and activities in the areas of healthcare, education, and human rights.

During the pandemic, the Annanke Foundation donated Rs 1.9 crore and 20,000 kg of dry white rice to its ‘Save the Children’ COVID-19 reaction, the first in a series of gifts led by Dr Saba. The funding sought to increase the distribution of food baskets, hygiene kits, clothing, and support to 20 lakh street children and their families.

Vidya Shah

Vidya Shah is the CEO of the EdelGive Foundation, the Edelweiss Group’s philanthropic arm. She has channelled EdelGive’s giving structure to include both financial and non-financial support to a unique cohort of organisations after witnessing the potential of small to mid-sized, high-quality NGOs in tackling India’s development challenges.

During the pandemic, the EdelGive Foundation supported all of its partner NGOs on the ground who were assisting individuals in need. They also assisted in the connection between donors and non-governmental organisations.

Sudha Murty

Sudha Murty is a successful Indian tech entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. She is the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Infosys, which focuses on supporting various causes including education, healthcare, and rural development. She has also written several books that reflect the ethos of Indian culture and her personal experiences in social work.

Some of her notable philanthropic efforts are:

– She spent 18 years helping to rehabilitate 3,000 sex workers and empower them to lead a normal life.

– She donated Rs 10 crore to build 2,300 houses for the flood-affected victims in Karnataka in 2019.

– She has established over 60,000 libraries across India, providing access to books and learning resources for millions of children and adults.

– She has supported the construction of 14,000 toilets in rural areas, improving sanitation and hygiene for the villagers.

– She has funded the education of thousands of underprivileged students, especially girls, and encouraged them to pursue their dreams.

Sudha Murty is an inspiring woman who has dedicated her life to serving people and making a positive difference in the world. She has received many awards and honors for her philanthropic work, including the Padma Shri Award in 2006 and the Padma Bhushan in 2023. She is a role model for many young Indians who aspire to follow her footsteps.

Sushmita Sen

Sushmita Sen is a famous Indian actress and former Miss Universe who is also known for her philanthropic work. She is the founder of the I AM Foundation, an umbrella charity that supports multiple non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working for the welfare of underprivileged and disadvantaged sections of society. Some of the NGOs that the I AM Foundation has adopted are:

– Sandipani Muni School: This school provides education and other facilities to nine girls from poor backgrounds.

– Jai Vakeel School: This school helps children with mental retardation by sponsoring investigations and diagnosis of their condition.

– Bal Asha Trust: This trust provides care and support to abandoned and destitute children, such as nursing, medical, and educational services.

– TERI: This is a research institute that works on sustainable development and environmental issues. The I AM Foundation has set up two solar charging stations with TERI in the Sunderban region in West Bengal, impacting around 600 lives in the area.

Sushmita Sen believes that the disadvantage need opportunities not charity, and her foundation aims to bring about a positive change in the lives of the most vulnerable people of our society. She is a feminist who continues to inspire women around the globe and a humanitarian involved in many charitable causes. She is a role model for many people who want to make a difference in the world.