Much of what the top corporates do in the name of Corporate Social Responsibility is an extension of sharing the success with society in which they work. India’s biggest network, Reliance Group is among the most illustrious corporate which have a tradition of thinking beyond business goals. Reliance treats the world as a family and works towards the greater good of the country. According to Nita Ambani philanthropy is one of the firm planks on which civil society can be structured. With a powerful and responsible guiding light like Nita Ambani, Dhirubhai Ambani Foundation is surely in safe hands. Mrs. Ambani’s role in creating this foundation cannot be overlooked and she feels that in today’s time we need to move ahead the dictionary meaning of philanthropy because love and humanity are two terms that have a deeper significance only felt by those who have truly known it.
The Dhirubhai Ambani Foundation is a way to tell the world that Reliance thinks beyond business. Reliance always encourages and funds numerous initiatives related to education, health, human capital and infrastructure. The Dhirubhai Ambani Foundation (DAF) has instituted many awards and scholarship programmes over the years. One of the longest running scholarship programmes is the Dhirubhai Ambani SSC Merit Reward Scheme that helps meritorious students from various districts of Gujarat, Goa, Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Maharashtra to pursue higher studies. The scheme was introduced in 1996 along with Dhirubhai Ambani Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme.
The Reliance Kargil Scholarship Scheme was launched to support 383 children from the martyrs’ families. On the silver jubilee of the company’s listing on the Bombay Stock Exchange, the Dhirubhai Ambani Scholars Scheme was announced in 2003. Under this scheme, 900 meritorious students of Reliance shareholders are selected for the scholarship. Talking about the social responsibility in general, President Dhirubhai Ambani Foundation, Ms. Nita Ambani said, “I believe all of us can and do give in varying degrees. Sadly, it hasn’t been enough. Poverty, hunger, malnutrition, disease, infant mortality, illiteracy and unemployment continue to be the scourge of our times. We also do not have the luxury of choosing one over the other. There is no hierarchy of suffering. The claims of the homeless on our time and resources are as urgent as those of the hungry.”
DAF is also associated with different health care initiatives including the collaboration with Sir Hurkisondas Nurrotumdas Hospital and Research Centre in 1997. The deal was to restructure the hospital and to employ state-of-the-art technology for better treatment.
This year Mumbai Indians had a great run at the Indian Premier League season three and some of the credit if not all goes to the team’s co-owner Mrs. Nita Ambani. One of the most influential business women in the country, Nita is now a cricket aficionado with immense passion for the game and she has been educating herself on the nuances of the game since her journey with IPL began in 2008. In an interview to editor-in-chief of Indian Express, Shekhar Gupta, Ms. Ambani said that she is an obsessed mother now with all her time devoted to cricket. She admitted that IPL is like a dream run for her and this association has consumed all of her attention to the point that she ate, slept and breathed only cricket during the season. Her dedication certainly paid off in the splendid display of ‘cricket-rionics’ during the IPL 3 finale. She has stood by as a pillar of support during the good and bad times that the team has been witness to.
In 2008, Nita Ambani strengthened the Mumbai Indians team with a successful bid of seven players including Sanath Jayasuriya, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan. Before the onset of second season of Indian Premier League, Mrs. Ambani spoke to Hindustan Times and confessed that before venturing into IPL, her knowledge of cricket was very elementary and was restricted to few successful names of the cricket world. Initially she was involved only with designing of the jersey and the making of Mumbai Indians’ theme song but after a poor start in IPL 2009; she decided to accompany her team everywhere as per the schedule.
Chairman, Dhirubhai Ambani International School and co-owner of Mumbai Indians, Nita Ambani spearheaded the smartest strategy by making the bid for the most sought after player of IPL 3, Kieron Pollard. The constant travelling with the team to different locations also brought her closer to the team and helped empower the team with more confidence.
In this year’s IPL, Nita Ambani started out by bidding for a knockout of a team, holding up with them through all times and cheering them on in every single match the team played. According to the team and the management, Nita is a lucky mascot for them and her presence in almost every match boosts their morale.
On being asked about the disappointment after losing the finals, Nita said, “I had said in my interview just before the finals that may the best team win. And in sports, I think, it’s not just about winning but also about handling losses. And that’s what I have learnt living with these boys for the last several weeks. Surely I was disappointed, but it is what you have gained in your journey of life that matters. And for me, cricket has been a big learning experience.” According to her, IPL will get bigger and better in the seasons to come.
Eyes are windows to the world and if our sight does not support us, we become visually challenged. In India, thousands of underprivileged people are living impoverished lives just because they cannot see. Project Drishti, a nationwide corneal grafting drive has already restored the eyesight of 5000 people belonging to the underprivileged section of the society. This unique project is a joint venture of National Association of the Blind and Reliance Industries Limited and is led by Mrs. Nita Ambani, wife of RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani. The main objective of this project is to give sight to the sightless from the poor section of the society at no cost. Talking about this endeavor, Mrs. Nita Ambani, President, Dhirubhai Ambani Foundation said, “We are committed in our endeavor to bring light into the lives of the visually challenged brethren.” Through this initiative, most of the under privileged blind can reap benefits as this effort by RIL and NAB will bring light into their lives.
There are a number of eye care initiatives in India but Project Drishti is among the most successful ones. In less than four years time since it was started, Project Drishti has undertaken almost 5000 kerotoplasty surgeries. ORBIS, a non-profit organization saving the sight of millions in developing countries is working with India’s eye care sector under its India Childhood Blindness Initiative. ORBIS aims at opening around 50 eye care centers by 2012 and each center will have fully trained eye care team with sufficient equipment and infrastructure. There will be a special out-patient department for children catering to special needs of children, parents with great medical facilities and a play area.
Through this initiative by ORBIS, 400 million children in India will get the treatment for their eye problems. This will further improve the eye care health of India. As of now, ORBIS is working with the Indian ministry of health in developing a new plan called ‘National Program for Control of Blindness Plan’ which will emphasize on the eye care health of India from 2008-2012. Vedanta Aluminum Ltd has initiated a series of ‘correction of refraction of Vision’ under its pioneer project called ‘Drishti’ in Jharsuguda. This initiative will cover peripheral villages like Brundamal, Katikela, Kurebaga and Burkhamunda.
Project Drishti led by Mrs. Nita Ambani have always participated in a number of eye care activities to create awareness among the masses. President of Dhirubhai Ambani Foundation, Mrs. Nita Ambani was once quoted as saying, “In more ways than one, we can make this a century with better vision than ever. We need to see life a little differently even after we have passed on. Life would undergo a change of appearance if you donate your eyes because beauty also lies in the eye of the giver.”
The best news channel in the business and the most powerful Indian corporate came together in 2008 to launch an initiative – Real Heroes. Rajdeep Sardesai from CNN-IBN in partnership with Mukesh and Nita Ambani from Reliance Industries Limited instituted an effort to honor the unsung heroes of our nation. This initiative is all about people like you and me, the common man of India who has done extraordinary things to make our nation proud. ‘Real Heroes’ started in 2008 is into its third year in 2010. This initiative run by Reliance Industries Limited and CNN-IBN is surely going to bring in change by acknowledging the ordinary Indian who has made difference to people’s lives.
This prestigious award salutes the unsung heroes without whom India would not have been a global entity. Every year, the award is given in the categories including education, environment, healthcare, rural development, sports, social welfare, women & child welfare and wildlife conservation. The award panel selects 24 ‘Real Heroes’ across India from four different zones. Talking about the significance of this initiative, Nita Ambani, wife of RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani said, “Each one of these achievers has left a huge impact on thousands of men and women and have transformed lives by perseverance, passion for a cause.”
The selection process includes Indian citizens suggesting names for Real Heroes and then the editorial board at IBN18 shortlists and finalises the list of the recipients, the recipient is then felicitated with a trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs. The recipient list of 2008 consisted of Sunita Krishnan who bagged the award in women’s welfare category for taking on the trafficking mafia. Nishtha Desai received the award for social work along with other exceptional works.
In 2009, the recipient list included Dr. Rouf M. Malik, K.M Chinnappa, Hemant Patel, Deepak Saha and many more courageous Indians. Speaking on the initiative, Nita Ambani said, “We are proud to be associated with Real Heroes, a movement to honour the men and women who have been working with never ending courage and unflagging dedication to make a better society for their countrymen to live in. We are sure that their inspiring stories will serve as a beacon of inspiration for many others.”
People across diverse age groups like the octogenarian Ram Snehi to 31 year old Ishita Khanna and from all corners of India from Mohd Iqbal of Ladakh to T. Raja from Chennai have been recipients of the Real Heroes award in 2010. Bollywood legend Aamir Khan during one of the award ceremonies of Real Heroes said, “There are very few of us who put aside our own goals and think about others: and this ability to care for other people, their requirements or their needs is really special.”
Nita Ambani owned ‘Mumbai Indians’ team beat Rajasthan Royals by 37 runs and booked their seat in the semi-finals of the lucrative Indian Premier League. Since the beginning of Indian Premier League, Mumbai Indians has remained the favorite team of season 3 and almost everyone bet on the team as IPL 3 winner. But at the IPL 3 finals on 25th April, 2010, fate favored Chennai Superkings and Mumbai Indians lost the match by 22 runs. For Mumbai Indians, IPL 3 has been a fantastic journey with one of the strongest squad consisting of Sachin Tendulkar, KA Pollard, Harbhajan Singh, SL Malinga and other talented players carrying the team from strength to strength.
D Y Patil stadium was packed to capacity as thousands of cricket fans thronged the place to witness the IPL 3 final between the two strong sides. The finale was thrilling with great shots from the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, though his presence in the team was doubtful due to the injury. The Mumbai Indians played consistently well all through the tournament and Nita Ambani constantly showed her support for the team by being present in almost every match played by the Mumbai Indians. After disappointing everyone in the cricket world with poor performance in both the previous seasons of IPL, this year, the Mumbai team was seen as the toughest and the most enduring side from the very beginning.
Talking about the team performance, one name that cannot be skipped out is that of K.A Pollard who actually led Mumbai Indians to the final of IPL 3. While the hear tearing over why Pollard was not brought to bat earlier continues, his contribution of a whopping 27 runs off 10 balls made it a close call for the Chennai Super Kings during the middle overs of the game.
The owner of Mumbai Indians, Nita Ambani presented the Orange cap to Sachin Tendulkar for scoring maximum runs in the third season of Indian Premier League. The skipper of the runners-up team was also awarded DLF Golden Player of IPL 3.
After the finals, Sachin Tendulkar was quoted as saying, “A couple of important catches cost us. There is a saying that catches win matches. The start in the run-chase also was not up to the mark. We could have accelerated a little bit more. Towards the end, Kieron Pollard came in with a fine effort but it was a bit late. We tried hard to accelerate the run-rate but it was one of those days when things did not click.”
Harbhajan Singh’s superb performance led to the Mumbai Indians victory against Deccan Chargers in a previous game. Harbhajan smashed the bowlers with unbeaten 49 runs and also cracked three wickets by giving away 31 runs. With the spirit intact, Mumbai Indians is expecting to win the next IPL with Sachin Tendulkar’s assurance of playing in the IPL 4.
Entrepreneur, social activist and educationist Nita Ambani dons many hats every day with equal ease and success. Having her plate almost full with work, she definitely has her moments of high stress and pressure situations. However, there is calmness about her that you can’t miss. Currently, Nita is coping with the fact that her two children are staying away from her.
“My children (the twins) are away from us. They are in US. That’s another part I have learnt to deal with. But I have involved them in everything I do. They (all three) are aware of everything that’s happening in my life whether it’s cricket, setting up a school or if I am going for dance practice. It’s nice to see a child’s view in everything. They are simple and uncomplicated and sometimes put you in the right perspective,” Nita says.
Ask her how she manages to balance her personal and professional life and she says, “I have always pursued what I felt like and tried to give 100 per cent. Whatever I do, I do it with sincerity and diligence. I’m currently enjoying the journey into the world of cricket from which I have learnt so much.”
Nita, who is the co-owner of one of the teams at the cash-rich T20 cricket tournament, says she has overtaken her husband Mukesh Ambani in terms of being a cricket fanatic. “If you would have asked me this question last year, it was Mukesh, but no longer. I have overtaken everybody,” she says.
Meanwhile, cricket has not taken Nita’s eye off her social commitments. Her goal is to provide education to every child in India — even in remote parts of the country. “Every child should be able to read and write — that’s what India needs right now. I have this goal in mind,” she says.
Nita, who heads the Dhirubhai Ambani International School, feels children should not be put under pressure to achieve anything. “We need to tell our children that they are nothing less because globally we need to make a mark. Education should be without stress. Seeking knowledge should be the only drive in children. In my school I stress that children should enjoy seeking knowledge. Children love coming to school and academic results are good too but we don’t pursue results. We look to pursue excellence,” she ends.
Entrepreneur, social activist and educationist Nita Ambani dons many hats every day with equal ease and success. Having her plate almost full with work, she definitely has her moments of high stress and pressure situations. However, there is calmness about her that you can’t miss. Currently, Nita is coping with the fact that her two children are staying away from her.
“My children (the twins) are away from us. They are in US. That’s another part I have learnt to deal with. But I have involved them in everything I do. They (all three) are aware of everything that’s happening in my life whether it’s cricket, setting up a school or if I am going for dance practice. It’s nice to see a child’s view in everything. They are simple and uncomplicated and sometimes put you in the right perspective,” Nita says.
Ask her how she manages to balance her personal and professional life and she says, “I have always pursued what I felt like and tried to give 100 per cent. Whatever I do, I do it with sincerity and diligence. I’m currently enjoying the journey into the world of cricket from which I have learnt so much.”
Nita, who is the co-owner of one of the teams at the cash-rich T20 cricket tournament, says she has overtaken her husband Mukesh Ambani in terms of being a cricket fanatic. “If you would have asked me this question last year, it was Mukesh, but no longer. I have overtaken everybody,” she says.
Meanwhile, cricket has not taken Nita’s eye off her social commitments. Her goal is to provide education to every child in India — even in remote parts of the country. “Every child should be able to read and write — that’s what India needs right now. I have this goal in mind,” she says.
Nita, who heads the Dhirubhai Ambani International School, feels children should not be put under pressure to achieve anything. “We need to tell our children that they are nothing less because globally we need to make a mark. Education should be without stress. Seeking knowledge should be the only drive in children. In my school I stress that children should enjoy seeking knowledge. Children love coming to school and academic results are good too but we don’t pursue results. We look to pursue excellence,” she ends.
