Living Lavishly, Giving Selflessly

Who says you can’t be glamourous and charitable at the same time? Take the case of the super stylish industrialist and philanthropist Natasha Poonawalla. You will find her face splashed on virtually all fashion glossy covers, or spot her impeccably turned out in haute couture at international mega gala events. The wife of Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute, Natasha who believes in leading an authentic life, true to her characteristic forthrightness, is determined to alter impressions that associate dressing up with a lack of charitable intent. In a recent interview, she addressed this issue by counter-questioning,“You don’t have to dress in Khadi to give back to society. If I have the option of doing both, then why not?”

Looks & Perceptions

In fact, taking this one level further, the prejudice is so deeply ingrained that good-looking, stylish and wealthy women are often not taken seriously in their pursuit of charity. “Yes, this perception does exist and is often rooted in outdated stereotypes rather than reality. Stylish, wealthy women are sometimes unfairly judged as being less serious about their philanthropic efforts, with assumptions stemming from privilege or the way the media portrays their lifestyles.

However, I firmly believe that authenticity, transparency, and the measurable impact of one’s work are the most powerful ways to challenge these biases,” adds philanthropist Kulsum Hothur Shadab, who shuttles effortlessly between spearheading the Hothur Foundation that works closely with acid victims, while simultaneously making her presence felt at Milan Fashion Week, where she showcased her luxury fashion brand Ara Lumiere.

Intent matters the most and not the external layering, believe these women of substance. Philanthropist Shalini Passi, maybe living an idyllic lifestyle, which has been showcased in a popular reality TV show, but is unapologetic about her opulent lifestyle. The Founder of Mash India, points out, “People often make you feel guilty or apologetic for everything. If you are looking good and are well-dressed, the perception is that a lot of time and energy goes into this, while it may be purely effortless for me. So, you have to lead your life without thinking about what people say.”

Wealth & Backlash

Tanya Madhvani the director of the Madhvani group and daughter of legendary actress Mumtaz has grown up in the laps of luxury, And, is accustomed to people’s incorrect perceptions about wealthy lifestyles.” Often people try and make you feel guilty about your privileges. While I am thankful for my wealthy lifestyle, it does come with a lot of responsibilities and drawbacks that not many people are aware of. You have to work hard not just to overcome the expectations but also to sustain the wealth. So, there is no reason to feel guilty,” she says.

New Charitable Faces

Unlike the distant past, where it was believed that your charitable intent should be private; the scenario has changed rapidly today. In current times, the perception is that the more you talk about your charitable endeavours, the more it will encourage others to do the same. Natasha made a valid point in a recent interview saying: “When we (The Poonawallas) started talking about charity, it was unheard of. But now with the advent of social media, it could influence others towards the path of charity. And if we can share our knowledge regarding education and hospitality, our mission is accomplished.”

Echoing her sentiments, Shalini may have followed the path of gupt-daan (silent donation) in the past but has changed her approach recently. “Our well-wishers advised my husband Sanjay and I, to talk about our charitable acts as it would inspire more people to do so, and it is this idea that we want to propagate. Even if somebody is motivated to give a very small part of their salary, that goes a long way.”

Kulsum believes that talking about charity, “Raises awareness, sheds light on issues that might otherwise remain unnoticed, and motivates others to contribute. It can amplify the impact of the work being done and inspire a broader sense of community involvement.”

Tanya opines that people should talk about giving back to society instead of doing it behind closed doors. “It not only encourages people and puts a certain amount of pressure that they should be doing the same. It also highlights how people from all sorts of backgrounds can make a difference by incorporating some philanthropy into their lives. Sometimes, I may hear of a charitable cause and decide I want to contribute too.”

Transforming Lives

So how do these ladies strike a balance between enjoying their privileges and

giving back to society? “It is important to be grateful for your privileges and yet be mindful of the need to help others.

I often get approached to support many charities but I carefully pick those initiatives where I know the money is being used constructively,” says Tanya.

Shalini feels that people fail to see the depth of work that is being done. “A big home or an art collection or a vintage car collection is always more visible than the good work that is done on the ground. I would like to change that perception.”

At the end of the day, the focus should always be on the cause and the lives being transformed, says Kulsum, adding, “It is not about how someone looks or the resources they bring to the table. This shift in perspective is essential to inspiring real change.”