On a recent business trip to India, a fellow Silicon Valley business executive was impressed by the management philosophy of the companies we visited. “The founders stay long after the companies become successful… They bring in family members to take part… Social causes and philanthropy are a key part of everyday business…”

This socially-responsible management style which I call, “Spiritual Capitalism” is not unique to India. However the country’s dramatic social challenges do tend to spur a significant amount of philanthropic action by its countrymen and women.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, SandHill.com spoke with two of I.T.’s business leaders – and active philanthropists – Infosys Technologies co-founder Narayana Murthy and Sycamore Networks co-founder and chairman Desh Deshpande – about their success with the Akshaya Patra Foundation, a non-profit devoted to feeding and educating underprivileged children. The leaders explain the success of Akshaya Patra, how they became involved in their philanthropic efforts and how other technology executives can find a way to increase their practice of social capitalism.

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