Amid a stepped up debate on affirmative action by corporates, Bharti Airtel's boss Sunil Mittal donated $1 million (Rs 4 crore) on Wednesday for education of underprivileged children in villages.
"This underlines corporate India's commitment toward fulfilling the government's vision of inclusive growth. Corporate India will continue to work with the government and voluntarily contribute toward the cause," Mittal said in a statement.
The government had asked industry captains to implement affirmative action, while hinting that failure to do so would prompt it to bring in a law to enforce job reservation in the private sector.
The donation by Mittal would be administered by Bharti Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Bharti Enterprises.
Bharti Foundation is working toward opening 1,000 village primary schools across India for underprivileged children, the girl child in particular.