This interesting and timely study on internal philanthropic activity in India examines the attempts by elites within the country to bridge the gap between the rich, the beneficiaries of the nation's tremendous economic growth, and the millions of its citizens living in abject poverty. The work details the history of volunteering in India, explores the demographics of philanthropic organizations, and discusses the contributions of diverse populations and divergent interest groups in programs for the poor. Handy, Kassam and Ingold are academics in social policy, sociology and South Asian studies at the University of Pennsylvania and Ranade is an NGO worker engaged in programs for empowering women in India. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)