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Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, delivered the keynote address at the Harvard India Conference on Indian Business, Policy & Culture, emphasizing India’s strengths and opportunities for growth.
She highlighted the nation’s large youth population and its vibrant diaspora as key pillars of strength, along with the country’s potential for growth through the adoption of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, green energy, and genomics.
In her address, Nita Ambani was asked to provide a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) analysis of India. She began by identifying India’s greatest strength: its youth and diaspora. “50% of our population is under the age of 30, and our Indian diaspora. I think that’s our strength,” she said.
Addressing the country’s weaknesses, she noted the significant challenge of improving the lives of the 200-300 million people at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder. “I think the 200 or 300 million people whose life we need to change for lying at the bottom and I think that should be our priority and we should be able to sort this out in the next decade,” she added.
On the opportunities front, Ambani emphasized the importance of scaling up technology adoption across India. She said whether it’s artificial intelligence, green energy, or genomics, India has the potential to lead in these fields.
In discussing threats, Ambani reflected on the broader context of global peace, stating, “I speak as a mother here. I think we need peace. We need peace in the world. Only when there is peace will countries grow and prosper, and so that holds true for even India. So I think I think wars do no good. And I would think that is a threat.”
She also shared a personal anecdote from her early years of marriage. She recalled purchasing a gold chain, which she had to return after her husband, Mukesh Ambani, reminded her that the company was facing difficult times. “I bought this gold chain and brought it home. And show it to Mukesh. Mush looked at me and said, Nita, I don’t think we can afford it. Reliance is going through really tough times. And we need to pay all our employees first. So It would be nice if you can return this gold chain…I did that without questioning Mukesh. And I told him, I’m sure good times will come, and you will turn around the situation, and he did.”
Nita Ambani reflected on this experience as a valuable lesson, saying, “Adversity should make you a better person and not a bitter person.” She described it as a pivotal learning moment in her life.
(Photo courtesy: Screengrab from X)
