The Hindu Business Line : Profit vs philanthropy

Money is a powerful tool that fulfils our need and luxuries. Money buys us food, clothes and an abode. Man should work and earn more money,. only then can he progress and prosper.

Then again, there are rich, educated people who lead a very comfortable life and yet dedicate their life for the country and its people. Such people — Bhagat Singh, Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, Mother Theresa, Baba Ampte — are very few. They occupy a special place in our hearts.

V. Venkitasubramanian, Kochi, vvsmani2002@yahoo.co.in

Though both are equally essential, profit is probably more important, because without it there cannot be philanthropy. What is paramount, however, is that one should earn profit in a honest way.

D. Visagamoorthi, Lecturer, V. L. B. Janakiammal College Of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, visad@rediffmail.com

It is heartening to see some corporates committing a part of their profit to social projects. This will go a long way in alleviating the problems of the needy and easing the government's burden to a large extent.

S. Krithivasan, SBI, s.krithivasan@sbi.co.in

Mr Bill Gates announced a $1.7 billion investment spread over the next four years to expand research and development activities and accelerate IT literacy among the rural masses. He also committed over a quarter of a million to India's health programmes. It was a case of philanthropy forming part of profits and not versus. Perhaps there is a lesson here for the government and the corporates.

A. Jacob Sahayam, Thiruvananthapuram, jacob_sahayam@yahoo.co.in

Profit and philanthropy go hand in hand. Businesses depend on human resources and infrastructure — road, transport, schools, hospitals, post-office, electricity etc.

In turn, they train and provide employment and other opportunities/facilities to the public.

Many corporate houses are taking their social responsibility seriously. It is increasingly becoming an essential part of business.

R. R. Gnanasekaran, Hi-Tech Arai, Madurai, gnanam@hitecharai.com

If money makes the world go round then one might say that profits should precede philanthropy. Professionals work hard to create huge, successful and profitable organisations. Organisations create new jobs and contribute to the coffers of the government. Quite a few of these professionals realise their duty toward society and, when possible, give their time and money for larger causes. Huge contributions to the Prime Minister's Fund during earthquakes, floods and other tragedies are examples. Unless people have, how can they give?

Abhishek Thakur, Marketing Manager, abhitur@yahoo.com

Charity begins at home. Mr Bill Gates developed Microsoft which, in turn, has generated assets and profits.

The donations should reach deserving persons. Mr Gates' ever-smiling face enthuses everybody to work more and share more. Long live Mr Gates.

S. Sivasankaran, Senior Manager (Retd), Canara Bank, Salem

Mr Bill Gates is practising a philosophy that JRD Tata propounded years ago, that is, to give back to earth what we have taken from it.

The social responsibility that industrialists in India spurned, Mr Gates has put in practice.

Subbalakshmi, Madurai

Mr Bill Gates is a pioneer in the software industry and has grown from scratch to become the richest man in the world. He believes in science, makes long-term investments, picks smart people, gets a team together and brings in new ideas.

He is spreading computer literacy and plans to offer Windows in several Indian languages; he is implementing project Siksha in Chennai.

Inspired by his role model Jimmy Carter who converted apparently small issues, ignored by other people, into profitable propositions, Mr Gates turned to the human side of issues, presumably following Drucker's emphasis on HR policies in management.

T. S. Sundareswaran, consultant, New Delhi

Profit and growth are important slogans for any business enterprise. When businesses achieve certain growth and profit targets, they begin to think about philanthropy.

Philanthropy helps businessmen build the image of the organisation. This also applies to political parties, cine actors and actresses.

R. Swaminathan, Manager (Retd), SBI, Tiruchi

V. Venkitasubramanian, Kochi, vvsmani2002@yahoo.co.in

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