Ajmer (Rajasthan):

Adani Group Chairperson Gautam Adani, accompanied by his wife, Priti Adani, visited Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan.

They offered “makhmali chadar” and flowers at the revered shrine.

The Adani family was welcomed by Dargah Ajmer Sharif and Chairman Chishty Foundation, Haji Syed Salman Chishty. “He (Gautam Adani) prayed for the whole country,” he said.

Pleased to welcome and host Shri Gautam Adani ji @gautam_adani & Smt Priti Adani ji @AdaniPriti Shri Rajesh Adani ji & Smt Shalini Adani ji at Dargah Ajmer Sharif to offer gratitude on behalf blessed Adani family and prayers for India’s prosperity & global peace. We also honoured… pic.twitter.com/lV5kTWmrG0

— Haji Syed Salman Chishty (@sufimusafir) February 15, 2025

The Ajmer Sharif Dargah is considered to be among the holiest Muslim shrines in India and is also a famous landmark in Ajmer.

Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti, a Sufi saint from Persia, is enshrined here. In keeping with his secular teachings, its doors are open to people of all faiths and religions.

Made of marble and gold plating, the actual tomb is guarded by a silver railing and a marble screen. During his reign, Emperor Akbar is known to have made a pilgrimage to Ajmer every year. He, as well as Emperor Shah Jahan, built mosques inside the shrine complex.

Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju had last month presented a sacred chadar on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the revered shrine of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti in Ajmer. The annual Urs commemorates the great Sufi saint, an event symbolizing harmony, spirituality, and devotion.

In conjunction with this solemn presentation, the Minister unveiled several initiatives to enhance the experience and convenience of pilgrims visiting the Dargah. The initiatives included release of the Operations Manual for Urs, the launch of the official Dargah Web Portal, and the introduction of the “Garib Nawaz” App.

The Operations Manual for Urs is a comprehensive guide designed to ensure the effective organization of the event, with detailed protocols for crowd management, security, healthcare, and sustainability.

The Dargah Web Portal and the “Garib Nawaz” App aim to modernize pilgrim services, providing online information about the Dargah, schedules of events, lodging facilities, and other conveniences. These platforms also facilitate transparency and accessibility, aligning with the Government of India’s vision of Digital India.

“The Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is a unique occasion that brings people together, transcending boundaries of faith and culture. With these new initiatives, we strive to uphold the sanctity of the event while ensuring a seamless and enriched experience for the devotees,” Rijiju said on the occasion.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

New Delhi:

Gautam Adani, the Chairman of the Adani Group, on Thursday said that failure is never the final destination, adding that life always gives a second chance.

He wrote a post on X about an 18-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur who suicide after failing to clear the JEE exams.

“I have just this request to all of you – never consider failure as the final destination. Because life always gives a second chance…!” the Adani Group Chairman said on X.

अपेक्षाओं के बोझ तले दबकर एक होनहार बेटी का यूं चले जाना हृदयविदारक है।

जीवन किसी भी परीक्षा से बड़ा होता है- यह बात अभिभावकों को खुद भी समझनी होगी और बच्चों को भी समझानी होगी।

मैं पढ़ाई में बहुत सामान्य था। पढ़ाई एवं जीवन में कई बार असफल भी हुआ, लेकिन हर बार जिंदगी ने नया… https://t.co/3s1WnINLcb

— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) February 13, 2025

Expressing sadness over the death of the student, Mr Adani said: “It is heartbreaking to see a promising daughter go away under the burden of expectations”.

The teen had left a note for her parents stating that she was “sorry” for “not fulfilling their dreams”.

Sharing the lesson of life, he also advised parents to keep pressures away from themselves and their children.

“Life is bigger than any exam – parents will have to understand this themselves and also explain it to their children,” Gautam Adani said.

Further, the Adani Group Chairman also opened up about his personal failures and how he came out of them.

“I was very normal in my studies,” he said, adding that he “failed many times in studies and life”.

“But every time life showed me a new path,” Gautam Adani said.

Meanwhile, to help students fare well in their lives and reduce their exam-related stress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the eighth edition of “Pariksha Pe Charcha’ has also discussed mental health and wellbeing.

During the session, the Prime Minister shared valuable lessons on nutrition and wellness; mastering pressure; challenging oneself; the art of leadership; beyond books – 360-degree growth; finding positives and more.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

As many as six U.S. Congressmen have written to the newly appointed Attorney General of the United States against “questionable” decisions made by the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) such as the indictment against the Adani Group in an alleged bribery scam, which “jeopardises the relationship with close ally India”.

Lance Gooden, Pat Fallon, Mike Haridopolos, Brandon Gill, William R. Timmons and Brian Babin on Monday (February 10, 2025) wrote to Pamela Bondi, Attorney General of the U.S. drawing “attention to some questionable decisions made by the DOJ under the Biden administration”.

In November 2024, U.S. prosecutors charged Mr. Adani with participating in a scheme to pay Indian officials over $250 million (about ₹2,100 crore) in bribes in exchange for favourable terms for solar power contracts.

This was concealed from the U.S. banks and investors from whom the Adani group raised billions of dollars for the project, the prosecutors have alleged.

U.S. law allows pursuing foreign corruption allegations if they involve certain links to American investors or markets.

The Adani group, however, has denied the charges.

“Some of these decisions involved selectively pursuing and abandoning cases, often acting against America’s interests at home and abroad, jeopardizing relationships with close allies like India,” the Congressmen said in the joint letter.

India, they said, has been an important ally of the United States for decades. This relationship has flourished beyond politics, trade, and economics by evolving into a continuous socio-cultural exchange between the world’s two largest democracies.

“This historical partnership and continuous dialogue between friends, however, was put at risk due to some unwise decisions by the Biden administration,” they said.

“One such decision involves a questionable pursuit of a case against the Adani group, an Indian company whose executives are situated in India. This case rests on the allegation that preparations were made by members of this company in India to bribe Indian officials, also exclusively located in India.

“Instead of deferring the case to the appropriate Indian authorities, the Biden DOJ decided to push forward and indict the company’s executives without any real injury to US interests being present,” they wrote.

No reason to pursue case

The Congressmen said there was no compelling reason to pursue a case in a manner that could complicate relations with an ally like India unless some external factors were at play.

“This misguided crusade came at the risk of harming our relationship with a strategic geopolitical partner like India immediately preceding President Trump’s return to the Oval Office.

“Considering President Trump’s commitment to revive America’s economic prosperity, our economic relationship with valuable partners from India and abroad works as an important factor in achieving that goal,” they said.

The letter went on to state that needless pursuits against those who have contributed tens of billions and created thousands of jobs deter and discourage investors from contributing to the U.S. economy.

“Considering these factors and the lack of any real injury to U.S. interests, the decision to pursue this indictment demonstrates more harm for America’s interests than good, if any,” it said.

America and India share a sense of mutual respect and appreciation, a sentiment emulated by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi. President Trump has always recognised the true potential of a strong and beneficial relationship between two economic and military superpowers like the US and India. He has diligently worked with the Modi government to forge a strong relationship between our two great nations. Prime Minister Modi has reciprocated these efforts by proving India to be a valuable ally of America in the Asia-Pacific region, especially against the growing threat from China, according to the letter.

“Conversely, politically motivated decisions by agencies steered by left-wing megadonors could quickly erode years of hard work and diplomacy forged by our leaders.

“A fallout in relations not only harms our longstanding partnership with a key ally but greatly benefits adversaries like China in their goal to eliminate the American economy and achieve total global economic control through their Belt and Road Initiative (BRI),” it said.

This selective pursuit by the Biden DOJ, despite knowing the possible outcomes of such a reckless decision, requires a second look, they wrote adding knowing the real considerations guiding this decision will also be a major step in uncovering whether the previous administration was compromised to outside entities over the past four years.

“We request you investigate the Biden DOJ’s conduct and would appreciate you sharing with us all records pertaining to this case, for a coordinated effort in uncovering the truth,” they added.

New Delhi:

The US Department of Justice’s (DoJ) indictment of billionaire Gautam Adani is a strategic blunder with severe geopolitical consequences, leading American publication Forbes has said.

In an article titled “The US Harms The West’s Alliances With A Far-Flung Indictment In India”, the author, Melik Kaylan, argued that the indictment, which alleges bribery and financial misrepresentation, “risks damaging India-US relations at a time when Washington is actively seeking stronger alliances to counter China’s rising influence”.

The article highlighted that India is a pivotal partner for the West, especially in initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) – a transformative infrastructure project designed to rival China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The DoJ’s action, however, undermines economic collaboration and trust at a critical juncture, potentially pushing India closer to Russia and China. In doing so, the US inadvertently weakens its own geopolitical positioning, allowing its rivals to strengthen their influence, according to Forbes.

Moreover, the piece argued that this indictment represents another example of Western overreach, where American extraterritorial legal actions disrupt vital global partnerships.

The broader concern is that while the US and Europe undermine their own allies with such moves, their adversaries continue advancing – economically, militarily, and technologically. As the author bluntly puts it, “They must be laughing in Beijing.”

In essence, the DoJ’s action against Mr Adani is not just a legal decision but a diplomatic miscalculation that risks isolating India at a time when its alignment with the West is crucial for global stability, according to the article.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

Ahmedabad:

The Kumbh isn’t just a religious gathering but a blueprint for sustainable civilization, a testament to cultural authenticity and a living example of tradition adapting to modernity, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani has said and noted that India’s strength, as it marches to becoming a global superpower, lies not just “in what we build but in what we preserve”.

Gautam Adani, in an article on LinkedIn, also spoke about the unique insights from Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj in terms of inclusive growth, spiritual technology, and cultural confidence.

Gautam Adani, who visited the Maha Kumbh Mela earlier this month, said it reflects the essence of India’s soft power and is probably the world’s largest management case study.

He said India’s true strength lies in its soul, “where growth is not just economic power” but a confluence of human consciousness and service.

“This is the lesson Kumbh teaches us – that true legacy is not in structures built, but in the consciousness, we build – and that thrives for centuries. Therefore, the next time you hear about India’s growth story, remember: our most successful project isn’t a massive port or a renewable energy park – it’s a spiritual gathering that has run successfully for centuries, serving millions without depleting resources or losing its soul. That’s the real India story. That’s the leadership lesson the world needs now.”

Gautam Adani said that in the vast landscape of human gatherings, nothing quite compares to the Kumbh Mela.

“As a company, we have been deeply engaged this year in the Mela – and, every single time I have a discussion on this subject, I am humbled by the vision our forefathers had. As someone who has built ports, airports and energy networks across India, I find myself astonished by this magnificent demonstration of what I call ‘spiritual infrastructure’ – a force that has sustained our civilization for millennia,” he said.

“When Harvard Business School studied the Kumbh Mela’s logistics, they marvelled at its scale. But, as an Indian, I see something deeper: the world’s most successful pop-up megacity isn’t just about numbers – it’s about eternal principles that we at the Adani Group strive to embrace,” he added.

The Adani Group Chairman said every 12 years, a temporary city larger than New York materializes on the banks of sacred rivers.

“No board meetings. No PowerPoint presentations. No venture capital. Just pure, time-tested Indian jugaad (innovation) backed by centuries of iterative learnings,” he said.

Mentioning ‘scale with soul’, ‘sustainable before sustainability was cool’ and ‘leadership through service’ as three indestructible pillars of Kumbh leadership, he said at the religious gathering, scale isn’t just about size – it’s about impact.

“When 200 million people gather with dedication and service, it is not just an event but a unique confluence of souls. This is what I call ‘spiritual economies of scale.’ The larger it grows, the more efficient it becomes, not just materially but in human and humanity terms. True scale is not measured in metrics but in the moments of unity it creates.”

He said long before ESG became a boardroom buzzword, the Kumbh Mela practiced circular economy principles.

“Perhaps there’s a lesson here for our modern development paradigms. Progress, after all, is not in what we take from the earth, but in how we give back to it,” he said.

Gautam Adani said there is no single controlling authority and true leadership lies not in giving orders but in the ability to take everyone along.

“Various akharas (religious orders), local authorities and volunteers work in harmony. It’s leadership through service, not dominance – a principle that modern corporations would do well to study. It teaches us that great leaders do not command or control – they create conditions for others to work together and collectively rise. Service is devotion, service is prayer and service itself is God,” he said.

Noting that Kumbh Mela has teachings for global business, he said it offers unique insights as India aims to be a USD 10 trillion economy.

“The Mela welcomes everyone – from sadhus to CEOs, villagers to foreign tourists. It’s the ultimate example of what we at Adani group call ‘Growth with Goodness’,” he said.

Gautam Adani said Kumbh showcases spiritual technology – time-tested systems for managing human consciousness at scale.

“This soft infrastructure is as crucial as physical infrastructure in an era where the biggest threat is mental illness! In an era of global homogenization, the Kumbh stands as a testament to cultural authenticity. It’s not a museum piece – it’s a living, breathing example of tradition adapting to modernity,” he said.

“Our ancient civilization didn’t just build monuments – it created living systems that sustain millions. This is what we must aspire to in modern India – not just building infrastructure, but nurturing ecosystems. And, while nations compete with military might and economic muscle, the Kumbh represents India’s unique soft power. Vasudeva Kutumbukam! It’s not just about hosting the world’s largest gathering. It’s about showcasing a sustainable model of human organization that has survived millennia,” he added.

Gautam Adani said Kumbh poses a profound question for modern leaders. “Can we build organizations that last not just years, but centuries? Can our systems handle not just scale, but soul?” he asked.

Referring to lessons such as sustainable resource management, harmonious mass collaboration, technology with a human touch, leadership through service and scale without losing soul, he said learnings from Kumbh are more relevant than ever in an age of AI, climate crisis and social fragmentation.

“As India marches towards becoming a global superpower, we must remember: our strength lies not just in what we build, but in what we preserve. The Kumbh isn’t just a religious gathering – it’s a blueprint for sustainable civilization. It is a reminder for me that true scale isn’t measured in balance sheets but in positive impact on human consciousness,” Gautam Adani said.

The Adani Group and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) have joined hands to serve meals to devotees at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.

The Mahaprasad Seva will be offered for the entire duration of the Mahakumbh Mela, from January 13 to February 26.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Pakistan’s former cricketer Danish Kaneria Friday lavished praise on Indian industrialist Gautam Adani for “dedicating his wealth to serving “Sanatan Dharma”.

Earlier this week, Gautam Adani, the Chairman of the Adani Group, immersed himself in the sacred rituals of Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest religious gathering, in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj and offered prayers.

The billionaire also participated in a host of rituals at the Mela ground, including preparation of the ‘Mahaprasad’ (sacred meal) and distributing it to the Kumbh pilgrims.

“This is exactly why forces around the world are working relentlessly to bring this man down. He’s dedicating his wealth and resources to serving Sanatan Dharma, not pandering to any ‘ecosystem’,” said Danish Kaneria, Pakistan’s highest wicket-taking spinner.

The Adani Group saw billions of dollars wiped from its market value last year after US short-seller Hindenburg Research accused it of corporate fraud. Gautam Adani, Asia’s second-richest man, denied the allegations made in that report, calling it a “deliberate attempt” to damage its image for the benefit of Hindenburg and other short-sellers.

“As someone from a Gujarati Hindu family, I take immense pride in having you as part of our community,” said Mr Kaneria. 

This is exactly why forces around the world are working relentlessly to bring this man down.

He’s dedicating his wealth and resources to serving Sanatan Dharma, not pandering to any ‘ecosystem.’

As someone from a Gujarati Hindu family, I take immense pride in having you as… https://t.co/5MReIu4crN

— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) January 24, 2025

Earlier today, Mr Gautam Adani shared a post on X about his experience during his visit to Prayagraj.

In the post, he expressed his thoughts on the divine occasion of the Mahakumbh and wrote: “We are blessed to have the opportunity to serve millions of devotees on the divine occasion of the Maha Kumbh. Service is a practice, service is a prayer, and service is God. May the blessings of Mother Ganga remain with us all.”

The Adani Group and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) have also teamed up to serve meals to devotees at the Maha Kumbh.

The Mahaprasad Seva will be offered for the entire duration of the Maha Kumbh Mela, from January 13 to February 26.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

New Delhi/Prayagraj:

Adani Group Chairman, Gautam Adani, attended the Maha Kumbh festival today with his wife, Priti Adani, and elder son Karan Adani in Prayagraj. 

Gautam Adani, his wife, Priti Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Foundation, and son, Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Limited (APSEZ), offered prayers at Triveni Sangam. At this point, the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers meet.

He participated in a host of rituals at the Mela ground, including preparation of the ‘Mahaprasad’ (sacred meal) and distributing it to the Kumbh pilgrims.

Gautam Adani helped cook Mahaprasad at the ISKCON temple camp

After offering prayers, Gautam Adani was also seen eating prasad along with his family members.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Mr Adani thanked the Uttar Pradesh administration, sanitation workers and police personnel for organizing the Kumbh, which is expected to draw about 40 crore devotees.

The Adani Group has partnered with ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, to provide meals for devotees during the Maha Kumbh Mela that commenced on January 13.

“Amazing, unique, and extraordinary! After coming to Prayagraj, it felt as if the faith, service spirit and cultures of the entire world had come together with Mother Ganga. I thank with all my heart the government administration, sanitation workers and security forces who are ready to serve all the sages, saints, Kalpavasis and devotees who keep the grandeur and divinity of Kumbh alive. May the blessings of Maa Ganga remain on all of us,” Mr Adani said in a tweet.

The Mahaprasad will be offered for the entire duration of the fair, scheduled to end on February 26.

The Adani family preparing Mahaprasad at the ISKCON camp

On the ninth day of the Maha Kumbh, over 1.59 million devotees braved the freezing temperatures to bathe at the Triveni Sangam.

According to the Uttar Pradesh government, by January 20, more than 88.1 million devotees had already visited the Sangam, making the Kumbh Mela one of the largest gatherings in the world.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

New Delhi:

Adani Group Chairman, Gautam Adani, attended the Maha Kumbh festival today with his wife, Priti Adani, and elder son Karan Adani in Prayagraj. At the event, Mr Adani said his youngest son, Jeet Adani, will get married on February 7.

“Jeet’s marriage is on 7th February. Our activities are like common people. His marriage will be very simple and with fully traditional ways,” Mr Adani said to a question asked by the media about his son’s marriage.

#WATCH | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh | On his son Jeet Adani’s marriage, Adani Group chairman, Gautam Adani says, “Jeet’s marriage is on 7th February. Our activities are like common people. His marriage will be very simple and with full traditional ways…” pic.twitter.com/CebEZ4q14i

— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2025

Mr Adani was asked whether Jeet Adani’s wedding would be a “Maha Kumbh of celebrities”, to which he said, “Bilkul nahi hoga” (No, it won’t be). 

Jeet Adani joined the Adani Group in 2019, after attending the University of Pennsylvania – School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He started his career in the Group CFO’s office, looking at Strategic Finance, Capital Markets and Risk & Governance Policy. He is currently spearheading the Adani Airports business as well as the Adani Digital Labs.

Today, Gautam Adani, his wife, Priti Adani, who is the Chairperson of the Adani Foundation, and son, Karan Adani, the Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Limited (APSEZ), offered prayers at Triveni Sangam. At this point, the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers meet.

Mr Adani also visited the camp of the ISKCON temple at the fair and helped cook Mahaprasad (sacred meals).

The Adani Group and ISKCON or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness have joined hands to serve meals to devotees at the Maha Kumbh Mela, which began on January 13.

The Mahaprasad will be offered for the entire duration of the fair, scheduled to end on February 26.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

New Delhi:

The Adani Group Chairman, Gautam Adani, on Monday met the Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, and his wife Rachel Azar along with other officials, and discussed India-Israel collaboration.

In a post on X social media platform, Gautam Adani said the company remains committed to continuing to invest and expand its partnership with Israel.

“Honoured to meet with Israeli Ambassador H.E. @ReuvenAzar and Mrs Rachel Azar, along with their team. Had productive discussions on doing our part for supporting India-Israel collaboration, particularly regarding India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and defence partnerships,” the Adani Group Chairman posted.

Honoured to meet with Israeli Ambassador H.E. @ReuvenAzar and Mrs Rachel Azar, along with their team. Had productive discussions on doing our part for supporting India-Israel collaboration, particularly regarding IMEC and defence partnerships. Through Haifa Port and Adani Israel… pic.twitter.com/9BP5UFsG4A

— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) January 20, 2025

“Through Haifa Port and Adani Israel Ltd, the Adani Group remains firmly committed to continuing to invest and expand our enduring partnership with Israel,” he added.

In 2023, The Adani Group acquired the strategic Israeli port of Haifa for $1.2 billion. The Port of Haifa is the second largest port in Israel in terms of shipping containers and the biggest in shipping tourist cruise ships.

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is an important initiative that can add to India’s maritime security and faster movement of goods between Europe and Asia.

The IMEC was launched during India’s G20 presidency and aims to integrate India, Europe, and the Middle East through UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and the European Union.

Lower logistics costs, faster connectivity and secure movement of goods are dependent on better cooperation in this area.

Adani Ports is the largest port developer and operator in India with seven strategically located ports and terminals on the west coast and eight ports and terminals on the east coast, representing 27 per cent of the country’s total port volumes.

The company is also developing a transhipment port at Colombo and Container Terminal 2 at Dar Es Salaam Port in Tanzania.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

Ahmedabad:

Billionaire Gautam Adani, a college dropout who built a multi-billion dollar infrastructure empire spanning ports to energy, on Monday revealed that he made a commission of Rs 10,000 from his first trade at the age of 19.

Born in Ahmedabad, Gautam Adani, 62, moved to Mumbai at the age of 16 and joined a diamond assortment company. He quickly picked up trade and in about three years, started his own diamond trading brokerage in Mumbai’s Zaveri Bazar.

“I still recall the day I did my first trade with a Japanese buyer. I made a commission of Rs 10,000. I was 19 years old, and this was the start of my journey as an entrepreneur,” he said while speaking at the Adani International School here.

This was in the year 1981.

He soon returned to Gujarat to help his elder brother Mahasukhbhai run a small-scale PVC film factory the family had acquired in Ahmedabad. In 1988, he set up a commodities trading venture under Adani Exports and listed it on the bourses in 1994. The firm is now called Adani Enterprises.

Gautam Adani started operating a port at Mundra on the Gujarat coast a decade later. He grew the business to become India’s largest port operator. There was no looking back after that. He rapidly expanded his business empire into power generation, mining, edible oil, gas distribution, and renewable energy. His business interests expanded into airports, cement, and, more recently, media.

He is today the world’s 19th richest person with a wealth of USD 76 billion.

“Sixteen years of age — buying a train ticket at the Ahmedabad railway station and boarding the Gujarat mail to Mumbai with nothing much in my pocket had me both excited and nervous,” Gautam Adani recalled.

“A question I often get is if I have any regrets that I did not go to college. Reflecting on my life and the different turns it took, I now do believe that I would have benefitted if I had finished college.” He said while his early experiences made him wise, he now realises that formal education rapidly expands one’s knowledge. “To acquire wisdom, one must experience life — but to acquire knowledge, one must study. These are complementary. And although I will never really know, I do reflect at times that the expansion in my abilities may have been faster had I gone to college.” Failures and setbacks will test but they are not the opposite of success, he said, adding that failures are the most important companion of success. “The only difference between ordinary and extraordinary success is resilience — the courage to rise after every fall,” he said.

Gautam Adani said when he started his journey, he did not have a roadmap, resources or connections. “All I had was a dream — a dream to build something meaningful, something that could contribute to boosting my own confidence. I would dream of this every single day. And as I look back, I can say that dreams are not the privilege of the rich. They are the reward of those who dare to believe and work tirelessly.” While the Adani Group is India’s fastest growing conglomerate today, and has set the pace to create more new businesses than any other business house in the country, its journey is not just about creating businesses.

He told students that the walls of any classroom should not define the limits of their dreams. “Let this classroom be the launchpad for your aspirations. Don’t just absorb the knowledge, let it ignite your imagination and drive your ambitions.” He gave students three guiding principles — dream relentlessly, lean relentlessly, and build relentlessly.

The first is about not limiting oneself to small ambitions, the second is about the future belonging to those who are willing to learn, and the third principle is about building something larger than oneself.

“Create businesses that solve the world’s challenges. Lead with integrity and compassion. Innovate in ways that inspire the next generation. Push the boundaries of what you think is possible. I want to see 100 Gautam Adani’s emerge from here. But not just to follow my path. I want you to build your own,” he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)