Meet India's Most Generous Man: K.P. Singh, The Richest Builder Who Donated ₹7,406 Crore

Kushal Pal Singh is on the list of India's richest men and also one of the most generous philanthropists in the country. With an estimated net worth of $14.3 billion, Singh has been instrumental in growing DLF and making Gurgaon a technology hub at 92. He recently made headlines for his末 donation of ₹7,406 crore, catapulting him into the league of Asia-Pacific's leading philanthropists. Let's now go into depth about the life and contributions of this extraordinary man.

Philanthropic Contribution

Recently, Forbes put out its 17th annual list of philanthropists who gave billions for many purposes. The names in the listing from the Asia-Pacific region also include Kushal Pal Singh. Singh donated a substantial amount from his personal fortune, which placed him among bigger givers. His donation will support a bunch of charitable projects and the KP Singh Foundation he founded back in 2020.

Early Life and Education

Kushal Pal Singh was born in 1931 in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh. He passed his graduation in Science from Meerut College and followed it up with a course in aeronautical engineering in the UK. Singh was selected to the Indian Army by the British Officers Services Selection Board and was commissioned into the Deccan Horse regiment in 1951. His father, Chaudhary Mukhtar Singh, was a practicing advocate of great repute in Bulandshahr, which gave him the required rise on the back of values and discipline.

Career with DLF

Singh joined DLF in 1961, giving up his army assignment. The company was started by his father-in-law in 1946. Under the vision and leadership of Singh, a large amount of land was acquired from farmers and DLF City was developed in Gurgaon. This development worked wonders in transforming Gurgaon into a modern city with state of the art infrastructure.

Under his leadership, DLF emerged as the largest publicly traded real estate business in India and is based in Delhi. During his tenure, many earthquake-resistant buildings were constructed, along with residences, retail centers, and recreational spaces. He also raised $2.24 billion through an IPO in 2007, the largest listing seen by India until then.

Leadership Transition and Continued Influence

In June 2020, after over five decades of leadership as chairman, Singh announced his resignation. His son succeeded him as chairman of DLF. Though he retired from active leadership, Singh still continues to be Chairman Emeritus of the company and commands substantial say in its strategic decisions. He shuttles between Dubai and London.

Major Transactions and Projects

In August 2017, Singh sold his one-third stake in DLF's rental arm to GIC, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, for $1.9 billion. In 2022, DLF, in association with GIC, launched a luxury residential project in Delhi, firmly establishing the company as a leader in the real estate business.

Recognition and Autobiography

Kushal Pal Singh has won several awards in his career. In 2008, Forbes listed him as the 8th richest person in the world. Whatever the Odds: The Incredible Story Behind DLF, his autobiography, was published in 2011 and describes the journey and the problems faced in building DLF to become a real estate giant.

Conclusion

Kushal Pal Singh's life is an example of great vision, rigorous hard work, and philanthropy. From the early days in the Indian Army to heading DLF and changing Gurgaon, Singh's contributions to the real estate sector and his philanthropic pursuits have been truly inimitable. His recent donation of ₹7,406 crore reflects his commitment to giving a part of his earnings back for social welfare causes. The legacy left by Singh inspires and sets a benchmark for generations to come.