Ravishankar Dakoju, a longtime Rotary member, announced that he and his wife, Paola Dakoju, would donate approximately US$50 million (4.5 billion Indian rupees) to The Rotary Foundation. The pledge was made during Rotary’s International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, on 13 January. Declaring that “giving is a duty,” Dakoju emphasized that the majority of their wealth should be returned to society to serve humanity.
Dakoju shared that he and his wife had long dreamed of giving back 85% of their wealth once they could live with dignity. Reflecting on his life experiences, he explained how the generosity of others shaped his values. After losing his father at age 10, who had donated all family land to poor farmers, Dakoju and his family were left with almost nothing. Despite early struggles, he completed his education and co-founded Hara Housing & Land Development Ltd., now a leading land developer in Bangalore.
Dakoju also credited Rotary with inspiring his commitment to service. Impressed by the organization’s values, he and his wife previously donated around US$14.7 million (1.3 billion Indian rupees) in 2018, one of the largest contributions in the Foundation’s history. Over the years, they have supported global grants, environmental and education initiatives, and service projects, including a five-year effort to plant 10 million saplings in Karnataka.
At the assembly, Dakoju reflected on the personal impact of giving and the philosophy that drives him: that generosity brings profound returns beyond material wealth. He highlighted how Rotary had provided him with purpose, friendship, and a global community, reinforcing his belief that “when you give more than you think you can, life returns to you more than you can ever imagine.”
