Nita Ambani outlines Reliance Foundation's vision for 'Viksit Bharat'
Nita Ambani, the founder and Chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, has outlined her organization's vision for a 'Viksit Bharat' at the 47th Annual General Meeting of Reliance Industries Limited. She emphasized the foundation's efforts to uplift various sectors including education, sports, and cultural preservation. "This journey is fueled by our shared commitment to growth, to innovation, and most importantly, to uplifting the lives of millions across our nation," she stated.
Ambani hails Indian athletes, reiterates commitment to sports
Ambani began her address by lauding India's athletes, mainly those who represented the country at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She praised their "resilience, dedication, and hard work," and stated that these athletes embody "the indomitable spirit of India." Ambani stressed the collective responsibility to support this spirit, saying "Greatness in any field is not achieved overnight. It is earned and built one day at a time."
Initiatives to nurture young talent
The Reliance Foundation is committed to making India a global sporting powerhouse by building a enhanced sports ecosystem. The Education and Sports for All (ESA) program, led by Akash Ambani, has reached around 23 million youngsters across multiple sports in India. Initiatives under this program include the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports and Young Champs, which focus on nurturing young talent at the grassroots level.
Reliance Foundation's role in India's Olympic aspirations
Ambani recalled the hosting of the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Mumbai in October 2023, highlighting the return of the Olympic movement to India after 40 years. She noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared India's ambition to host the 2030 Youth Olympics and the 2036 Summer Olympics. Ambani also highlighted cricket's inclusion as an Olympic sport for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, a decision made at this session.
Educational initiatives for future-ready learning
Ambani also expressed her joy in witnessing daughter Isha take up the mantle in transforming education in India. This year, Isha launched two institutions: the Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Early Years Campus. These are designed to foster 21st-century skills, focusing on pace-based learning, allowing every youngster to thrive at their own pace.
Flagship teacher training initiative announced
Ambani announced the forthcoming launch of the foundation's flagship Teacher Training initiative through the School Leadership & Administration Program. Beyond these institutions, Reliance Foundation aims to offer world-class early childhood care and educational facilities to over 10 million children from disadvantaged communities across India. This initiative also includes the making of capacity-building models and learning resources for teachers and students across the country.
Reliance Foundation's commitment to education and literacy
Ambani elaborated on the foundation's commitment to education via its involvement with the Integrated Child Development Services, having developed and refurbished 100 Aanganwadis in Varanasi. She also mentioned Reliance Foundation's role as a founding member of LiftEd, a multi-partner consortium that is aimed at strengthening foundational learning for four million children in India. This initiative aligns with the Centre's Nipun Bharat Mission, which seeks to achieve foundational literacy and numeracy for every child in India by 2025.
Ambani highlights partnership with Jio for digital education access
Ambani highlighted a partnership with Reliance Jio to leverage AI and collaborate with state governments to digitally extend access to opportunities for students in two million schools across India. "Mukesh and I are on a mission to enable quality education, in our lifetime, for 250 million school-going children of our country," Ambani declared, emphasizing the need to empower the youth to drive a "new, resurgent, and unstoppable India — a truly Viksit Bharat."
Swadesh project to preserve India's cultural heritage
Ambani then shifted focus to Swadesh, a project to preserve and promote India's diverse cultural heritage and artistic legacy. She described Swadesh as a tribute to India's traditional arts/crafts, highlighting its role in supporting the livelihoods of the India's 70 lakh craftspeople. The initiative supports Indian artisans by providing them with a platform to showcase their skills and aims to take their work global with planned stores in Europe and the US.
