How Gautam Adani has contributed to philanthropy
Gautam Adani is a name that evokes admiration, awe, and sometimes jealousy. He is the founder and chairman of the Adani Group, one of India’s largest and most diversified infrastructure conglomerates, with interests in ports, logistics, power, renewable energy, airports, and more. He is also one of India’s richest and most generous philanthropists, who has pledged to donate a significant portion of his wealth to various social causes.
Adani’s journey from a humble background to a global business tycoon is an inspirational story of vision, perseverance, and hard work. He was born in 1962 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, to a family of textile traders. He dropped out of college at the age of 18 and moved to Mumbai with only ₹ 100 in his pocket. He started his career as a diamond sorter and then joined his brother’s plastics trading business. He soon realized the potential of the emerging markets in Southeast Asia and began importing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a key raw material for manufacturing plastics.
In 1988, he set up his own company, Adani Exports Limited, which became one of India’s leading exporters of agricultural commodities. He also ventured into the power sector by setting up a power plant in Mundra, Gujarat, in 1996. He then diversified into ports and logistics by developing the Mundra Port, which became India’s largest private port. He further expanded his portfolio by acquiring coal mines in Indonesia and Australia, building solar and wind farms in India and abroad, acquiring airports in India, and launching doorstep delivery and logistics services.
Unmatched philanthropy
Adani’s success in business is matched by his generosity in philanthropy. He is known for his philanthropic work through the Adani Foundation, which was established in 1996. The foundation is focused on contributing to the sustainable development of communities in India, with a focus on education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods. The foundation helps nearly 3.7 million people across India annually through various initiatives such as irrigation systems, renewable energy projects, culture of cleanliness campaigns, fight against malnutrition programs, and employee volunteering activities.
One of the most remarkable examples of Adani’s philanthropy is his pledge to donate ₹ 60,000 crores (USD 7.7 billion) when he turned 60 in June 2022. This makes him one of India’s most generous philanthropists. It is one of the largest philanthropic commitments ever made by an individual in India. It is also equivalent to about 0.3% of India’s GDP or about 2.5% of India’s annual budget. The pledge will help address some of the most pressing challenges facing India, such as improving healthcare infrastructure and outcomes, enhancing education quality and access, and developing skills and employability among the youth.
Support for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Another example of Adani’s philanthropy is his support for the global agenda of meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a set of 17 goals adopted by the United Nations to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. Adani’s businesses are aligned with the SDGs and contribute to them through their positive social and environmental impacts. For instance, Adani’s renewable energy arm is the leading player in solar and wind power in India, with a capacity of over 25 gigawatts. This helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provides clean energy access to millions of people.
Adani’s philanthropy is also driven by his personal experiences and values. He has said that he was inspired by his visit to the Kandla Port in Gujarat when he was young, which sparked his interest in infrastructure development. He has also said that he follows the Gandhian philosophy of trusteeship, which means that wealth is not an end in itself but a means to serve society. He has also said that he believes in creating opportunities for others rather than giving handouts.
Education
Adani’s foundation runs several schools and colleges across India, providing quality education to over 1.5 lakh students, many of whom belong to underprivileged or marginalized communities. The foundation also offers scholarships and financial assistance to meritorious and needy students. The foundation also supports research and innovation in various fields such as engineering, management, medicine, and law.
Some of the important initiatives of the Adani Foundation in the field of education are:
· Saksham: An eco-system of skill-based training that aims to enhance employability and entrepreneurship among rural youth and women. Saksham has trained over 1.5 lakh beneficiaries in various sectors such as agriculture, construction, hospitality, beauty and wellness, etc.
· Udaan: A project that provides exposure visits to students from government schools to various institutions of excellence such as IITs, IIMs, ISRO, etc. Udaan has inspired over 1.2 lakh students to pursue higher education and achieve their dreams.
· Adani Vidya Mandir: A chain of schools that offer free education to meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds. Adani Vidya Mandir has schools in Ahmedabad, Bhadreshwar, Surguja and Godda, catering to over 4000 students.
· Adani Skill Development Centre: A network of centres that offer industry-relevant courses and certifications to enhance the employability of youth. Adani Skill Development Centre has 18 centres across India and has trained over 50,000 youth in various domains such as renewable energy, port and terminal management, industrial sewing machine operation, etc.
Healthcare
Another focus area for Adani’s philanthropy is health care, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. He has said that he wants to help build a resilient and robust healthcare system in India that can cope with any future challenges. He has also said that he wants to ensure that every Indian has access to quality and affordable healthcare services.
Some of the initiatives that Adani has undertaken or supported in the health sector are:
· He has donated ₹ 100 crores (USD 13 million) to the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund), which was set up to combat the Covid-19 crisis in India.
· He has donated ₹ 5 crores (USD 650,000) each to the Gujarat and Maharashtra state governments to support their efforts to contain the Covid-19 outbreak.
· He has provided medical supplies, equipment, and infrastructure to various hospitals and health care centres across India. He has also set up Covid-19 testing labs and isolation wards in some of his facilities.
· He has launched a telemedicine service called Aarogya Parivar, which provides free online consultations and prescriptions to people living in remote and rural areas. The service has reached over 2 lakh people so far.
· He has supported the SuPoshan project, which aims to fight malnutrition among children and women in India. The project covers over 1,500 villages and reaches over 2 lakh beneficiaries.
· He has supported the Saksham project, which provides skill-based training to healthcare workers such as nurses, paramedics, technicians, and community health workers. The project has trained over 10,000 healthcare workers so far.
· He has supported various research and innovation projects in the health sector, such as developing low-cost ventilators, testing kits, vaccines, and drugs for Covid-19 and other diseases.
Conclusion
Adani’s philanthropy is not only a reflection of his wealth but also of his vision, passion, and compassion. He has shown that he cares for the well-being of his fellow citizens and the planet. He has shown that he is not only a business leader but also a social leader who wants to make a positive difference in the world.
