In a significant philanthropic move, Reliance Industries Ltd Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani has announced an unconditional grant of Rs. 151 crore to his alma mater, the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) in Mumbai. The grant, announced during the launch of Professor M.M. Sharma’s biography Divine Scientist, underscores Ambani’s commitment to strengthening India’s scientific and technological foundation. Paying homage to Sharma’s role as a catalyst in India’s economic and industrial transformation, Ambani’s grant is a gesture that intertwines personal reverence with a broader vision for national progress.
A Legacy of Knowledge and Inspiration
Mukesh Ambani, an alumnus of ICT Mumbai (formerly University Department of Chemical Technology), reminisced about his early days at the institute. Recalling his first lecture by Professor M.M. Sharma, Ambani shared how Sharma’s insights ignited his passion for innovation and enterprise. Sharma, revered for his pioneering contributions to India’s chemical industry, inspired generations of students to envision a future driven by technological excellence and economic self-reliance.
Honoring a ‘Rashtra Guru’ and Architect of Economic Reforms
In his address, Ambani credited Professor Sharma’s profound influence on policymakers and India’s economic landscape. He emphasized Sharma’s advocacy for dismantling the license-permit-raj, a transformative idea that fostered industrial scale and global competitiveness. Ambani drew parallels between Sharma and his father, Dhirubhai Ambani, noting their shared vision of harnessing science and technology to propel India from scarcity towards global leadership.
“He was a Rashtra Guru – a Guru of Bharat,” said Ambani, underscoring Sharma’s enduring impact on the nation’s industrial trajectory.
A Gesture of Guru Dakshina: Rs. 151 Crore Grant
Announcing the grant, Ambani described it as a form of ‘Guru Dakshina’ – a tribute to the unwavering guidance of Professor Sharma. “When he tells us something, we just listen. We don’t think,” Ambani said, recalling Sharma’s counsel that ICT deserved a significant contribution to advance its mission.
The Rs. 151 crore grant, unconditional and committed to the institution’s growth, signifies Ambani’s deep personal gratitude and faith in the power of education and research.
Catalyzing Innovation for India’s Future
This landmark grant comes at a pivotal time, reinforcing ICT’s status as a cradle for chemical engineering and technological innovation in India. The funds are expected to bolster research, infrastructure, and educational excellence, aligning with Ambani’s belief that private enterprise and scientific inquiry are essential to national prosperity.
Ambani’s gesture goes beyond philanthropy; it is a reaffirmation of his faith in the transformative potential of higher education and the foundational role of mentors like Professor Sharma in shaping India’s economic destiny.
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