Philanthropy -CEOs for a Casuse
All of us have the power to make a difference; some of us actually put that into practice. Nikhil Menon
CEO philanthropy on a grand scale is something that we’re used to seeing in
the West. Business leaders such as Warren Buffet and Bill Gates have taken
generosity and charity to a whole new level. However, not many CEOs in India
have been featured in the popular media for their acts of munificence. This
doesn’t mean that they are any less conscious about society than their
counterparts in the West. The truth is that many of them shy away from
publicity, working quietly behind the scenes in various ways. Some of them
donate their time and money, others set up trusts and still others grow
vegetables. and if you don’t really believe that, read on!
COMMUNITY AND THE CEO
Jimmy Mistry heads Della Tecnica, a fast-growing design solutions company
that he started in 1996. He also started the Parsi Resource Group (PRG), an
organisation for the benefit of the Zoroastrian community. Mistry wanted to
bring together all sections of his community together for a common vision:
that of creating a better tomorrow for young Parsis and Zoroastrian priests.
But even before he started PRG, this motorbike fanatic wanted to do
something for his people. So he adopted and renovated two agiaries (Parsi
fire temples), and donated a fullyequipped ambulance service for the
community. The setting up of PRG on 27th December 2005 was a watershed in
his life and symbolised the beginning of an organised initiative to help
others. Mistry admits, “It’s never been an easy journey. Looking back, I
doubt if I could do it all over again.” But he derived strength from his
religious parents and his upbringing that taught him to ‘give something back’
to the community.
Today PRG consists of the world’s largest association of Parsi priests –
numbering over 550. It also guides and finds jobs and mentors for young
Parsis. Mistry, who believes in hands-on involvement in the group’s everyday
activities, adds, “The biggest challenge still is finance; but I have a
vision and the results will come. We want to take PRG national and collect
more data on Indian Parsis, especially the youth.”
REAPING GOODWILL
Radhika Shastry (Director, Global Business Group- India, RCI India Pvt.
Ltd.) has been working with senior citizens for the past twelve years.
Initially it started with just basic things such as donating clothes and
food. However, when Shastry and her husband bought a piece of land, the
dynamics began to change. “We thought it would be a good idea to grow
something there and give it to charity rather than keep it lying idle. The
return that I get is far more fulfilling than anything materialistic,”
Shastry comments. After being struck by this idea, Shastry – literally –
began digging around in the dirt, growing vegetables and fruits and donating
them all to the senior citizens home. “Folks at home have been very
supportive of this. They like the idea that I donate the vegetables and
fruits to charity and some senior citizen gets a wholesome and nutritious
meal. The entire family is involved in this activity. One just needs to
sensitise oneself to the needs of the lesser privileged and you will find
many ways of reaching out to them,” says Shastry. She plans to continue
working for senior citizens in the future. “They certainly deserve a lot
more respect in their sunset years,” she says.
ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE
The chairman of the Supertex-Sarex group, probably fits the definition of
‘one man army’. Mahavirprasad Saraf heads five trusts through which he
contributes towards fields like education, rehabilitation, health and
welfare. Over the past forty seven years, he has participated in numerous
activities and funded several welfare initiatives. From starting colleges,
old age homes, gymnasiums and more, to donating sewing machines, books,
chairs and other items, this man has done it all. In Mumbai, many of the
famous and ubiquitous pink RCC railway platform benches and water coolers
were sponsored by Saraf. Not for nothing did the Municipal Corporation of
Greater Mumbai name an area in Malad East ‘Ghanshyamdas Saraf Chowkh’ (after
his father). The full list of his achievements through the trusts he
oversees has to seen to be believed.
“For me, both business and social work go hand in hand,” says Saraf, adding, “I receive a lot of support from my family.” He refuses to specify which one of his projects is closer to his heart than the rest. “I’m proud of all the social work that I have undertaken,” he beams.
And what does he derive from his continued acts of kindness towards the
community? “I feel really blessed when I see an underprivileged person
benefiting from my actions,” he concludes.