r2i forum

Shiv Nadar donates Rs5cr to Tirupathi. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/98665/hcl-chief-shiv-nadar-donates.html

Does he see no better option for this huge sum? Are there no deserving humans, or needs in our country that he could directly impact? Why give the power of this sum to some temple board/trustees, who may very well build a giant laddoo making machine. Is he really donating, or buying a ticket to some exclusive VIP club.

I only have questions, as I have no idea as to what the logic of this successful person is. Tirupati business always boggles my mind. They take all that money, and treat the people who take all the pains to get there- like dirt.

prasadee;332626Shiv Nadar donates Rs5cr to Tirupathi. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/98665/hcl-chief-shiv-nadar-donates.html

Does he see no better option for this huge sum? Are there no deserving humans, or needs in our country that he could directly impact? Why give the power of this sum to some temple board/trustees, who may very well build a giant laddoo making machine. Is he really donating, or buying a ticket to some exclusive VIP club.

I only have questions, as I have no idea as to what the logic of this successful person is. Tirupati business always boggles my mind. They take all that money, and treat the people who take all the pains to get there- like dirt.

Aren't there already enough threads to discuss the donation habits of rich people?

prasadee;332626 I only have questions, as I have no idea as to what the logic of this successful person is. Tirupati business always boggles my mind. They take all that money, and treat the people who take all the pains to get there- like dirt.

Firstly, a private donation by someone is 100% their will & fancy. We can talk about it, but need to understand that they have a right to donate or spend in any way they want.

Secondly, giving money to charity or causes is more of an emotional 'feel good' factor, rather than a strategic unemotional rational choice. What makes you happy may be totally unacceptable to someone else. Unnecessary criticism of the giver like 'got no better choice?' only exposes hollow self righteousness. (sorry, being blunt here after reading the tone of OP)

Thirdly, religious charity is usually frowned upon by those who have allergy to religion. They fail to realize that religious charities across the world have helped needy people immensely, just like secular charities. Abuse will occur in small cases and that has nothing to do with a temple or a church or a aid organization's mission. Punishing the guilty in case of abuse is the need of the hour, not developing serious allergy towards the whole mission & the millions of followers itself. When a politician sleeps with a prostitute or a policeman kicks a protester, we don't throw away the whole political or police system, but punish the guilty. The same way, if Tirupati 'business' has fault, there are means to address correction.

Fourthly, Tirupati & all such religious organizations are in fact doing tremendous service to the community back. Two starters here: a) http://www.tirumala.org/activities_relig.htm . b) http://www.tirumala.org/schemes_main.htm . Importance & value of those projects are purely a discussion point for those who give money with their mind & heart into it.

prasadee;332626Shiv Nadar donates Rs5cr to Tirupathi. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/98665/hcl-chief-shiv-nadar-donates.html

Does he see no better option for this huge sum? Are there no deserving humans, or needs in our country that he could directly impact? Why give the power of this sum to some temple board/trustees, who may very well build a giant laddoo making machine. Is he really donating, or buying a ticket to some exclusive VIP club.

I only have questions, as I have no idea as to what the logic of this successful person is. Tirupati business always boggles my mind. They take all that money, and treat the people who take all the pains to get there- like dirt.

He has already created enough stable jobs for Indians through HCL and good training through NIIT. This 5 crore is nothing to what he has provided to Indians.

Tirumala may not be organised because its run by government.
Dont we pay taxes (around 50%) from our salary even though we know its not spend wisely?

prasadee;332626Tirupati business always boggles my mind.

It would boggle the Lord's mind as well. :) I guess we will blame it on his eternal debt to Kubera.

Just the gold plating of the Ananda Nilayam is estimated at $100 Crore. They need more from Shiv Nadars of the world. :)

prasadee;332626Shiv Nadar donates Rs5cr to Tirupathi. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/98665/hcl-chief-shiv-nadar-donates.html

Does he see no better option for this huge sum? Are there no deserving humans, or needs in our country that he could directly impact? Why give the power of this sum to some temple board/trustees, who may very well build a giant laddoo making machine. Is he really donating, or buying a ticket to some exclusive VIP club.

I only have questions, as I have no idea as to what the logic of this successful person is. Tirupati business always boggles my mind. They take all that money, and treat the people who take all the pains to get there- like dirt.

Some blow away their money on casinos, liquor and other things.. Some donate money to temples that in turn operate hospitals, schools and universities. It's for the individuals to take the pick and who are we to comment on? Did he donate someone else's money to the Lord? Do we know that he didn't contribute to any non-temple charity?

indigoyogi;332696Some blow away their money on casinos, liquor and other things.. Some donate money to temples that in turn operate hospitals, schools and universities. It's for the individuals to take the pick and who are we to comment on? Did he donate someone else's money to the Lord? Do we know that he didn't contribute to any non-temple charity?

The news would not read Siv Nader donates 5cr to Casino. He would showup on Page 3 as a person splurging at a party. Also, when did hospitals,schools, and universities become charitable institutions. They are other machines to suck more money in terms of donations. There would be a few seats for the preferred caste of that temple, and a few scholarships. Other than that its just another arm of the money machine. He may have very well contributed to a non-temple charity, he may not have done it. I am questioning the feel good factor, and "wash away all sins by contributing to a temple" factor. Little does this person know about what will be done with this donation. I am questioning the means of making a name in the community by making huge contributions. Shiv Nader may very well stand for elections in AP. This news should have read, Shiv Nader buys VIP membership at Tirumala club. Not donates 5Cr.

Often I find people who readily contribute for things like "benne alankara/ Butter decoration" of a giant ganesha, not want to spend a single rupee for non religious charitable causes. Why cant people do good to others because its the right thing to do? Why rely on the temple trusts to do the same? Other than helping their own causes and castes, I do not see these temples run a beggars colony. I doubt if the temple operators would even touch a person without knowing his caste. From generations, most of the cash is spent on
increasing the height of gopuram,or even gold plating it. As its evident in the amazing temples thread.

spartan;332681
Dont we pay taxes (around 50%) from our salary even though we know its not spend wisely?

So you agree, tirumala is not going to spend this wisely, but you still want to pay them to tonsure our heads, and buy a gold crown for themselves. Also we pay taxes. We do not donate in taxes.

prasadee;332754He may have very well contributed to a non-temple charity, he may not have done it. I am questioning the feel good factor, and "wash away all sins by contributing to a temple" factor. Little does this person know about what will be done with this donation. I am questioning the means of making a name in the community by making huge contributions. Shiv Nader may very well stand for elections in AP. This news should have read, Shiv Nader buys VIP membership at Tirumala club. Not donates 5Cr.

Often I find people who readily contribute for things like "benne alankara/ Butter decoration" of a giant ganesha, not want to spend a single rupee for non religious charitable causes. Why cant people do good to others because its the right thing to do? Why rely on the temple trusts to do the same? Other than helping their own causes and castes, I do not see these temples run a beggars colony. I doubt if the temple operators would even touch a person without knowing his caste. From generations, most of the cash is spent on
increasing the height of gopuram,or even gold plating it. As its evident in the amazing temples thread.

What makes you think the 5Cr is a waste or was done to assuage his guilt or to make him feel good? Can you read others' mind? I am not condoning the acts of criminals paying their share to Tirupathi as if that will buy them a ticket to Heaven. AFAIK, Shiv Nadar's money was earned, while in the process, benefiting the larger society as well.

KirKS;332656Firstly, a private donation by someone is 100% their will & fancy. We can talk about it, but need to understand that they have a right to donate or spend in any way they want.

Secondly, giving money to charity or causes is more of an emotional 'feel good' factor, rather than a strategic unemotional rational choice. What makes you happy may be totally unacceptable to someone else. Unnecessary criticism of the giver like 'got no better choice?' only exposes hollow self righteousness. (sorry, being blunt here after reading the tone of OP)

Thirdly, religious charity is usually frowned upon by those who have allergy to religion. They fail to realize that religious charities across the world have helped needy people immensely, just like secular charities. Abuse will occur in small cases and that has nothing to do with a temple or a church or a aid organization's mission. Punishing the guilty in case of abuse is the need of the hour, not developing serious allergy towards the whole mission & the millions of followers itself. When a politician sleeps with a prostitute or a policeman kicks a protester, we don't throw away the whole political or police system, but punish the guilty. The same way, if Tirupati 'business' has fault, there are means to address correction.

Fourthly, Tirupati & all such religious organizations are in fact doing tremendous service to the community back. Two starters here: a) http://www.tirumala.org/activities_relig.htm . b) http://www.tirumala.org/schemes_main.htm . Importance & value of those projects are purely a discussion point for those who give money with their mind & heart into it.

Kirks,
I have not been allergic to the religion followed by my parents all my life.I have spent much of my early childhood in Ramakrishna mission, and on chores at temples in south bengaluru. In all that time our temple did nothing for the general good of under privileged. It does spend money on printing books, make audio cassettes etc. They are all geared towards making more money. Giving to the community back,only means building a bigger temple.
Thanks for acking the faults in Tirupati.

indigoyogi;332760What makes you think the 5Cr is a waste or was done to assuage his guilt or to make him feel good? Can you read others' mind? I am not condoning the acts of criminals paying their share to Tirupathi as if that will buy them a ticket to Heaven. AFAIK, Shiv Nadar's money was earned, while in the process, benefiting the larger society as well.

I absolutely cannot read his mind. He very well earned it running a legitimate business. As I see it, its a large sum that could have made a difference in setting a lot of things right. Why give all the power of that amount to other humans running a trust. I know very well what goes in the minds of temple trustees, its all about growing the temple business. Nothing about benefiting larger society.