India's youngest billionaire slammed for Rs. 10,000 donation for flood-victims
What's the story
With several avenues now open for providing financial help to flood victims in Kerala, several industrialists, politicians, celebrities, and the like, along with normal citizens, have started contributing. However, India's youngest billionaire and Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma, upon donating Rs. 10,000, was slammed on Twitter for his 'paltry' contribution. Indeed, for someone so wealthy, a higher donation is certainly expected.
Tweet
Sharma's meagre donation didn't sit too well with Twitterati
On Friday, Sharma, via a tweet that's now been deleted, announced that he had contributed Rs. 10,000 to help flood victims in Kerala, and urged people to open their Paytm apps and donate. While many saw the tweet as a means to promote more donations, the meagre amount Sharma donated didn't sit well with Twitterati who accused him of being a miser.
Twitter Post
A screenshot showing Sharma's shameful announcement
Paytm founder @vijayshekhar Sharma, The youngest Indian billionaire with net worth of $1.7 billion did a self promotion by posting a screenshot of him donating a huge amount Rs.10000 via his @Paytm app towards #KeralaFloods. Deleted it later. pic.twitter.com/ML7GHh1Y8i
— Unofficial Sususwamy (@swamv39) August 18, 2018
Twitter Post
Twitterati slam Sharma for his miserliness
Shame ,did u donate only 10000? The screenshot is getting viral on whatsapp n ur credibility at stake ...
— NriDoctor (@atheist_bihar) August 18, 2018
Comparison
Sharma's donation is peanuts compared to what others have done
For comparison, Rajasthan Royals cricketer Sanju Samson donated Rs. 15 lakh directly, via a cheque to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Sun TV and TVS Motorcompany donated a crore each, while Anand Mahindra has also announced plans to donate. Even Hanan Hamid, who sold fishes to fund her education, donated Rs. 1.5 lakh selflessly to help Kerala's flood victims.
Earlier incident
Earlier, Sharma donated a 'massive' Rs. 501 to the Army
Notably, this isn't Sharma's first act of generosity (read: miserliness). In December 2017, the Paytm founder came under sharp criticism and was heavily trolled on social media following a Rs. 501 contribution he made to the Indian Armed Forces. Sharma, for reasons that cannot be fathomed, also decided to announce this meagre contribution on social media, causing people to react sharply.
Twitter Post
Vijay Shekhar Sharma announces donating Rs. 501 to the Army
Just sent ₹501 to Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. #🇮🇳 @DefenceMinIndia pic.twitter.com/B5KD7wcdb9
— Vijay Shekhar (@vijayshekhar) December 1, 2017
To conclude
Sharma, surely, could have donated more
Before questioning Sharma's critics, it's worth noting that the Paytm founder is worth a whopping $1.7bn. Additionally, with help from contributions from India's who's who, and from people from all walks of life, Paytm, over the last 48 hours, has already raised over Rs. 3cr. Considering such solidarity being showed by India's citizens, surely Sharma could have shelled out more.