IN recognition of his philanthropy and unmatched generosity, L&T Group Chairman Mr A M Naik has been recognised as the most generous professional corporate leader in India in the fiscal year 2021 by Hurun India and Edelgive Foundation. Mr Naik donated Rs 112 crore towards philanthropic causes this fiscal year.
Mr Naik was ranked 11th on the Edelgive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2021 released on 28 October. As is widely known, Mr Naik has pledged to give away over 75% of his income for charitable purposes. In 2009 he set up two Trusts: the Nirali Memorial Medical Trust to channelise his contributions to the health care sector and the Naik Charitable Trust to fund education and skill-building initiatives. Over the years, Mr Naik has demonstrated that philanthropy is “more than writing a cheque”. Philanthropy, as he practices it, is intensely outcome-oriented, and he has institutionalised a professional approach to philanthropy.
Mr Naik hails from a family ingrained in philanthropic tradition. It was customary, almost instinctive, for human actions to be viewed through the prism of how it would impact the community. That philosophy has guided three generations of his family which lived in a sprawling village home in Endhal in south Gujarat. Mr Naik, who graduated as an engineer, was the first in the family to enter industry, and proudly continues the tradition of community service. He draws continuing inspiration from his father – a freedom fighter, educationist and staunch Gandhian. Mr Naik took the family tradition forward even as he would say, “My father lit a lamp. I am happy to help more and more people see the light”.
In April this year, the Nirali Cancer Hospital, set up as part of his personal philanthropy at Navsari in Gujarat, was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of the State. Adjacent to the cancer hospital is a multi-specialty hospital, the foundation stone for which was laid by the Vice President of India, Mr M Venkaiah Naidu, in March. These hospitals are the most recent of several health care facilities that he has built in Gujarat and Mumbai.
In the sphere of education, Mr Naik is setting up a large campus in Kharel (Gujarat) which will encompass primary and higher secondary schools, a vocational training institute and accommodation for students and faculty. In the field of skill-building, the Anil Naik Technical Training Centre in Kharel is helping provide a new future to rural youth who lack formal qualifications.
Mr Naik has positively impacted the lives of the needy and the vulnerable. He does not, however, rest content with what he has achieved. “In a country like India”, he says, “there is always so much more to be done.”
