Ratan Tata And His Philanthropic Empire
Ratan Tata’s name is synonymous with philanthropy. When one thinks of industrialist Ratan Tata, one thinks of the innovative business enterprises he helmed and the countless philanthropic endeavours he undertook during his life.
Known for his humility and a deep desire to help the underprivileged and deprived sections of the society, Ratan Tata’s commitment to a variety of social causes can be traced back to Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group. His contributions amount to Rs 8.29 lakh crore, giving him the title of the world’s largest charitable donor.
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During his illustrious life, Ratan Tata has strived to carry the Tata family’s legacy forward. Through Tata Trusts, one of India’s oldest charitable institutions which flourished under the industrialist’s leadership, Ratan Tata has contributed immensely to range of sectors including healthcare, water, rural development, education, skill development and more.
In 2010, Tata Trusts donated a whopping Rs 220 crore to Kolkata’s Tata Medical Center, a state-of-the-art cancer treatment and research facility. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Tata Sons and Tata Trusts combined pledged Rs 1,500 crore to support the country’s fight against the virus.
Tata Trusts donated Rs 500 crore towards personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits and healthcare infrastructure.
In 2008, the industrialist established the Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition and provided $50 million to fund the Tata Scholarship for Students from India. In 2017, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) made another $50 million investment, which helped build the Tata Innovation Center at Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island in New York City.
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Annual report of Tata Trusts show that the total disbursals made by the Trusts in FY23 were Rs 456.42 crore.
Tata Trusts has donated more than $102.4 billion till 2021 for philanthropic causes according to the EdelGive Hurun Philanthropists Of The Century report (2021).
An avid animal lover, Tata opened India’s first Small Animal Hospital in Mumbai with a state-of-the-art facility for pets. With a special compassion for stray dogs, in Bombay House, the headquarters of the Tata Group, stray dogs are taken care of and provided with amenities, giving them a home and much-needed love and care. The Taj Group by the Tatas, is one of the finest hotel chains in India and the world with strict instructions from Ratan Tata to treat the animals well if they enter the premises.
