Azim Premji

The head of outsourcing giant Wipro caused a stir when he donated $2 billion worth of shares last year to a trust to fund his Azim Premji Foundation. The largest such endowment by an individual in India, it makes Premji one of Asia's biggest donors. The foundation, which focuses on improving state-run elementary schools by training teachers and upgrading the curriculum, has so far covered 2.5 million children in 25,000 schools. It will use the funds to expand its reach and for a new university being set up near Bangalore. The donation brought down Premji's holding in Wipro from 79% to 70%. Eldest son Rishad, a Harvard grad, who was recently elevated to chief strategy officer, is widely seen as his successor.