By Etelka Lehoczky
Orlando, Florida — A prominent Indian developer and longtime Rotary member, Ravishankar Dakoju, has pledged a donation of approximately US$50 million (4.5 billion Indian rupees) to The Rotary Foundation, describing philanthropy as “a duty.”
Dakoju made the announcement during Rotary’s International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, on 13 January. The contribution will be made jointly with his wife, Paola Dakoju, who is also a Rotary club member.
Speaking at the event, Dakoju said the donation fulfills a long-held commitment between the couple to return the majority of their wealth to society.
“Years ago, Paola and I shared a dream: that one day, when we had enough to live with dignity, we would return 85% of our wealth back to society. My friends, that day has arrived,” he said.
Dakoju, a member of the Rotary Club of Bangalore, Karnataka, currently serves as The Rotary Foundation’s Arch Klumph Society ambassador for Asia. In his address, he emphasized that giving should be viewed as a personal responsibility rather than an act of charity.
“What we keep may serve only our family, nothing beyond that. What we give to The Rotary Foundation will serve humanity,” he added.
Rotary officials have welcomed the pledge, describing it as one of the largest individual commitments in recent years to support the foundation’s global humanitarian initiatives.
