For Amit Agarwal, meaningful giving is one that’s sustainable, can be scaled

“Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege,” John D Rockefeller Jr famously said. That’s a thought Amit Agarwal, country head, Amazon India, agrees with.

And that’s why Agarwal celebrates the week-long Daan Utsav — or Joy of Giving week — which has helped corporates, NGOs, associations and individuals to come forward to celebrate acts of kindness and generosity.

Agarwal says, “Meaningful giving for me is one that is scalable and sustainable; that enables and empowers someone to realise their freedom and potential.”

Girl powerOn a personal front, Agarwal says that empowering the girl child is a cause that is close to his heart. “Here, I am personally engaged in helping bring transparency into the problems that hold the girl child back; to mobilise more people in the community to get passionate about the cause,” he says, adding that this year, his organisation too has chosen to support women and the girl child by partnering with NGOs.

In the past, Agarwal has been involved with associations and has contributed to the education of the daughter of his building’s caretaker. But this, he says is “easy” and mostly involves giving money. He is looking to do more. “I want to partner with my own daughter on a specific problem to create interest among students.”

Paying it forwardOne gift that Agarwal says he’s been lucky to receive is that of a good upbringing in an environment that valued humility, honesty, grit, and gratitude. “This played an important part in empowering me to be the person I am today. And this is what I would like to give back. I do my best to impart these to my kids with the hope they are not afraid to chart their own path to do good and be responsible global citizens. I can assure you this journey is painful but very satisfying,” he says.