Does Bill Gates expect India's super rich to open up their wallets for philanthropy when the Microsoft founder and fellow billionaire Warren Buffett come calling next month?
"I have no agenda. I just want to share my personal experience. I just want to have a conversation with Indian billionaires on their views of philanthropy. I will not be visiting with any set or high expectations," Gates told TOI in a telephonic interview from the US.
He and Buffett held a similar discussion in Beijing in November with 50 Chinese business leaders.
"Every philanthropist picks up causes he believes in. During my China visit, I learnt about Chinese culture and their philanthropic traditions and told them how we do things. Government policies in China need to encourage philanthropy," Gates said.
Gates and Buffet have made headlines worldwide for roping in Western tycoons into pledging at least half their wealth for the world's good. They have signed up 58 philanthropists, including Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, investor Carl Icahn and AOL co-founder Steve Case for the Giving Pledge project.
Their China visit, however, was unproductive. The two pronounced the dinner an unqualified success saying that two-thirds of those who were invited had shown up.
India has over 69 billionaires, Mukesh Ambani topping the list with a net worth of $27 billion.
"Some of the top business people in China and India asked if we would meet with them to stimulate discussion about giving in their country. Warren and I had the meeting in China in November and we were very happy with how many people came and how the conversation turned out. We will be attending a similar meeting in India in the first half of the year," Gates said.
He said the Giving Pledge was simply a commitment to give the majority of one's wealth away during one's lifetime or through a will.
"We hope that over the long term it will encourage people to start earlier, collaborate more, and make their giving even more impactful. We are excited that 58 people have already joined the Giving Pledge. The US is the most generous country in the world. More than 15% of the large estates go to charity," he said.
Read more: I want to talk to India's rich about philanthropy: Gates - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/I-want-to-talk-to-Indias-rich-about-philanthropy-Gates/articleshow/7400835.cms#ixzz1Cg9OCr68
"I have no agenda. I just want to share my personal experience. I just want to have a conversation with Indian billionaires on their views of philanthropy. I will not be visiting with any set or high expectations," Gates told TOI in a telephonic interview from the US.
He and Buffett held a similar discussion in Beijing in November with 50 Chinese business leaders.
"Every philanthropist picks up causes he believes in. During my China visit, I learnt about Chinese culture and their philanthropic traditions and told them how we do things. Government policies in China need to encourage philanthropy," Gates said.
Gates and Buffet have made headlines worldwide for roping in Western tycoons into pledging at least half their wealth for the world's good. They have signed up 58 philanthropists, including Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, investor Carl Icahn and AOL co-founder Steve Case for the Giving Pledge project.
Their China visit, however, was unproductive. The two pronounced the dinner an unqualified success saying that two-thirds of those who were invited had shown up.
India has over 69 billionaires, Mukesh Ambani topping the list with a net worth of $27 billion.
"Some of the top business people in China and India asked if we would meet with them to stimulate discussion about giving in their country. Warren and I had the meeting in China in November and we were very happy with how many people came and how the conversation turned out. We will be attending a similar meeting in India in the first half of the year," Gates said.
He said the Giving Pledge was simply a commitment to give the majority of one's wealth away during one's lifetime or through a will.
"We hope that over the long term it will encourage people to start earlier, collaborate more, and make their giving even more impactful. We are excited that 58 people have already joined the Giving Pledge. The US is the most generous country in the world. More than 15% of the large estates go to charity," he said.
Read more: I want to talk to India's rich about philanthropy: Gates - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/I-want-to-talk-to-Indias-rich-about-philanthropy-Gates/articleshow/7400835.cms#ixzz1Cg9OCr68
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