Mindtree co-founder Subroto Bagchi has donated hundreds of crores but a Re 1 SBI cheque is his 'biggest wealth of life'

Time of India

a day ago

In a world where success is often measured by wealth, titles, and accolades,
Mindtree
co-founder
Subroto Bagchi
has reminded us that true wealth lies far beyond the confines of a bank account. In a deeply emotional and thought-provoking post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Bagchi shared a picture of an old-fashioned paper cheque issued by the
State Bank of India
. Its value? Just Re 1. But to him, it's priceless.
The cheque, was not for services rendered to a corporation or startup. It was his last salary as Chief Advisor to the Government of
Odisha
for Institution and Capacity Building—a role he served in for eight years. For each of those years, Bagchi accepted a
symbolic salary
of Re 1, never seeking financial reward for his
public service
.
'What is the biggest wealth in this one life that I would never ever part with?' Bagchi wrote, reflecting on the journey. 'For every year of the work I did with the government, the deal was that they paid me Re 1. For the 8 years out there, I got 8 cheques and this one here was my last salary drawn.'
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From Co-Founding Mindtree to Serving His State
Bagchi is best known as the co-founder of Mindtree, a globally respected IT and consulting firm. Over the years, he has earned accolades for his leadership, vision, and
philanthropy
. But despite his financial success—he and his wife Susmita have pledged hundreds of crores for causes like cancer care and skill development—it's this small cheque that he treasures most. It symbolizes his belief that service to one's people can be its own profound reward.
While many business leaders transition into advisory roles with significant remuneration, Bagchi made it clear that his motivation came not from money, but from a sense of duty and love for his home state, Odisha. His commitment was not performative; it was a quiet, consistent act of selfless service.
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— skilledinodisha (@skilledinodisha)
A Gesture that Resonated Across India
The post quickly went viral, striking a chord with netizens who praised Bagchi's humility and values. 'Your gesture is a lotus in the mud of public virtue—its fragrance best left unannounced,' one user wrote poetically. Another commented, 'We need more people like Subroto Bagchi in Odisha who are successful in their fields and committed to contributing to our beloved state in whatever way they can.'
Many described him as a rare example of ethical leadership in an era increasingly dominated by personal gain and performative virtue signaling. 'True selfless service, sir. A rarity in today's world. Thank you for your great service to Odisha,' read another comment.
More Than a Token
Bagchi's
Re 1 cheque
may be small in amount, but it carries the weight of a powerful message: that public service, when done with integrity, is itself the highest compensation. It evokes a time when symbolic salaries were a mark of honor, not just optics. In an era where monetary success is worn as a badge of importance, Bagchi's decision to treasure a Re 1 cheque over all else is both radical and humbling.
His story is not just about the cheque—it is about redefining what it means to be wealthy. It's a call to action for others who have the means and capacity to give back meaningfully, not just with money but with time, knowledge, and heart.
As Bagchi signs off from his government role, he leaves behind more than policy papers and institutional frameworks. He leaves a legacy of purpose—of leadership grounded in humility, and a belief that true wealth is the impact you create, not the riches you accumulate.