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2. Samir Jain, 66, Media Baron 4. Azim Premji, 75, Industrialist,
The Times of India’s Philanthropist
success is owed largely Few know that in 1966,
due to the unorthodox 21-year-old Azim Premji
philosophy of Samir Jain. had to abort engineering
An out-of-the-box thinker, studies in Stanford
he has handled the paper University when he was
more like an advertising mogul and slipped forced to return to India
in a few sweet deals to ensure further success following his father’s death. The rest is
and stability at a time when print is walking a history, as they say. He has morphed into one
tightrope. of India’s most revered business tycoons and
Though print publications are perched at the is pretty much the czar of the IT industry
edge of a cliff, the group has managed to hold with Wipro.
on to their prestige, whilst embracing digital As the first Indian who signed up for
space full on. From digital and streaming OTT The Giving Pledge, he believes in creating
platforms – like CricBuzz, MX Player, Gaana. a better world for millions of people. He
com, to TV – Times Now, ETNow, Romedy walks his talk. Premji is perhaps the most
Now, Zoom, Mirror Now, Movies Now and giving philanthropist of the Indian industry,
the FM network – Mirchi, Jain is indeed the standing tall, but equally humbly besides
force behind the huge influence the group and great philanthropists like Gates and Buffet.
its various platforms wield over state affairs The Azim Premji Foundation has helped
whilst catering to a loyal audience. create a better world for millions of people.
3. Amitabh Bachchan, 78, Actor 5. Ratan Tata, 83, Industrialist
That he is the greatest and Leader of the Tata Group,
most-loved Bollywood a global conglomerate
actor precedes everything with family roots
he does. Professionally extending to the 19th
though, he has proven he century till 2012 when he
excels at far more than stepped down, to become
acting. A man who has seen and done it chairman of Tata Trusts, Ratan Tata has
all, he still commands top spots in movies. never taken his heritage for granted. The
Personally, he has evolved through his Tata founders bequeathed most of their
experiences, unafraid to show himself in a personal wealth to the many trusts they
vulnerable light. created for the greater good of India and its
It’s challenging to write a 10-line profile people. At his core, he is a philanthropist,
on a megastar with a mega-life to match. always concerned about the plight of others.
Bachchan is a legend, but what defines him is Equally, he has personally seen that no stone
his dignified manner, his inimitable baritone is unturned to ensure that the Tata code of
and the respect he commands from anybody conduct and standard of service is nothing
who’s anybody! One tweet from him can get short of exemplary.
millions of Indians on his side. He is hands He says: “I think you really want to be
down the most influential Indian today. doing things that make a difference. If you
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #19 | JANUARY 2021 7
