(Top L-R) Mani Bhaumik, Jay Chaudhry, Anil Kochhar, Jayashree and Vinod Jivrajka (Bottom L-R) Manu and Rika Shah, Raj and Indra Nooyi, Chitra and Panneer Selvam / Indiaspora

A new initiative has been launched by Indiaspora, aimed at honoring members of the Indian diaspora who have contributed $1 million or more in philanthropic donations to universities, nonprofits, and charities since January 2025.

Announcing the initiative, the organization said the ‘Indiaspora Hall of Givers’ is intended to celebrate philanthropy within the global Indian diaspora community while encouraging greater charitable engagement.

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"We are pleased to announce the Indiaspora Hall of Givers. This is a new initiative to highlight members of the diaspora who are making substantial philanthropic donations of $1 million or more to universities, nonprofits and charities since January 2025," Indiaspora said.

The organization described the initiative as both a celebration of the community's philanthropic impact and a call to action.

"It is both a celebration of the tremendous potential within our community and a call to action. Philanthropy remains one of the most meaningful ways diaspora communities can strengthen the societies they now call home and create lasting impact for future generations," it said.

We are pleased to announce the Indiaspora Hall of Givers. This is a new initiative to highlight members of the diaspora who are making substantial philanthropical donations of $1 Million or more to universities, nonprofits and charities since January 2025. This list is only the… pic.twitter.com/sEdou16FtW

— Indiaspora (@IndiasporaForum) June 3, 2026

Indiaspora said the list is ongoing and will continue to recognize Indian-origin philanthropists supporting educational institutions, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and other charitable causes around the world.

The inaugural Hall of Givers features physicist and entrepreneur Mani Bhaumik, who made a $3 million gift in 2025 to support postdoctoral research recruitment across UCLA's physics, astronomy, chemistry, and biochemistry departments. Bhaumik is widely known for his contributions to laser technology that helped pave the way for LASIK eye surgery.

Also recognized are cybersecurity entrepreneur Jay Chaudhry and his wife Jyothi, who pledged $4 million to the University of Cincinnati to fund scholarships and academic support programs for approximately 150 students beginning in fall 2025, and physicians Jayashree and Vinod Jivrajka, who announced a $2 million gift in February 2026 to establish the Jivrajka Family foundation chair in cardiology at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine.

The list further includes Anil and Marilyn Kochhar, who announced during North Carolina State University's Wilson College of Textiles commencement ceremony in May 2026 that they would pay off the remaining student loans of all 176 graduates in the Class of 2025-26. The gift builds on the family's longstanding support for the university and honors the legacy of Anil Kochhar's father, one of the institution's earliest Indian students.

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Jasvant and Meera Modi were recognized for a $1.5 million pledge announced in October 2025 to establish UCLA's first endowed professorship in Jain Studies and Religions of South Asia, while Dr. Vijay and Praveena Ramakrishnan were honored for a $3 million commitment in April 2026 to support patient care, advanced imaging technology, and physician training through Duke University's radiology programs.

The Hall of Givers also includes Raj and Indra Nooyi. In February 2025, the couple donated $1 million to Yale School of Medicine's Department of Surgery to establish the Raj and Indra Nooyi Cancer Research Fund, supporting research aimed at reducing the toxicity and burden of breast cancer treatment. Indra Nooyi is the former chair and chief executive officer of PepsiCo.

Also recognized are Chitra and Panneer Selvam, who provided a $1 million gift to the University of Arkansas in August 2025 to support faculty excellence and research in computer modeling and computational mechanics.

Niraj and Jill Shah were included for a $10 million gift from the Shah Family Foundation announced in February 2025 to establish the Center for Comprehensive Healing at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, promoting whole-person health. 

The list also honors Manu and Rika Shah, whose philanthropic trust made the largest outright cash gift in the history of Providence St. Jude Medical Center in August 2025, establishing the Shah Happiness Center for Cardiovascular Health.

Indiaspora said philanthropic giving represents more than financial generosity, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to the communities where immigrants have built their lives.

"When diaspora communities show up for local food banks, schools, shelters, and social causes, they build bridges of trust and mutual respect that no policy or rhetoric ever could," the organization said.

The organization has opened nominations for future additions to the Hall of Givers and said it hopes to recognize many more Indian-origin philanthropists in the years ahead.

Discover more at New India Abroad.