Thread by @RIL_Updates

Mr Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & MD, Reliance Industries Limited announced an endowment of Rs 151 crore to his alma mater – the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. Mr Ambani had graduated from ICT – then called University Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT) – in the 1970s as Chemical Engineer. Mr Ambani made the announcement when he visited the ICT campus for the publication of his professor Mr M.M. Sharma’s biography titled ‘Divine Scientist’.

Mr Ambani delivered a speech in the honour of Prof MM Sharma reminiscing about how the professor shaped up his mindset when young, how he contributed to Reliance’s rise with ideas, and how he impressed upon Indian policymakers the need for liberalization, which ultimately resulted in a booming domestic chemical industry.
#InstituteofChemicalTechnologyICTMumbai
#DivineScientist #Biography
@ICTMumbai1933

I would like to make four points today to reflect the immense impact Prof MM Sharma had in shaping my life.

First, in the mid-1970s, when I came here as a student, to this day, I remember Prof. Sharma’s very first lecture — and how, listening to him, I felt assured that I had made the right choice.

Soon I realised that Prof. Sharma is an alchemist, not of metals, but of minds. He has the power to transform curiosity into knowledge, knowledge into commercial value, and both knowledge and value into everlasting wisdom. He shaped not only my understanding of Chemical Engineering but also my understanding of leadership, responsibility, and service: Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & MD, Reliance Industries
#InstituteofChemicalTechnologyICTMumbai
#DivineScientist #Biography
@ICTMumbai1933

Second, among Prof. Sharma’s many evergreen teachings, one that has stayed with me is the principle of “economics of chemistry.” He taught us not only the magic of molecules, but also how molecules can make money and create immense societal value.
A perfect blend of scientific insight and business acumen…That was Prof Sharma. A Bania Chemical Engineering Professor! Even after I graduated and began assisting my father in building Reliance, I continued to consult Prof. Sharma on various issues: Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & MD, Reliance Industries
#InstituteofChemicalTechnologyICTMumbai
#DivineScientist #Biography
@ICTMumbai1933

Third, I also learnt my first lesson in sustainability from him. Prof. Sharma does not like the word by-product; he calls it co-product. He insists that nothing should be wasted in manufacturing, and everything should be turned into value. This is how we can create perfect harmony between Economy and Ecology.

And this is how, under Prof Sharma’s guidance, Reliance achieved maximum backward and forward integration in the value chain. Let me tell you that he never asked for anything in return. Substantial value addition, but zero royalty: Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & MD, Reliance Industries
#InstituteofChemicalTechnologyICTMumbai
#DivineScientist #Biography
@ICTMumbai1933

Fourth, the book describes Prof Sharma as a selfless Jnana Yogi and a Karma Yogi. He is also a Yogi of Samruddhi, a Yogi of National Prosperity.

The 1970s and ‘80s was an era of extreme economic scarcity and regulatory shackles. Like my father Dhirubhai Ambani, Prof Sharma had a burning desire to change Indian industry from scarcity to global leadership.

These two bold visionaries believed that science and technology, in alliance with private entrepreneurship, would open the floodgates of prosperity.

They both concluded that the time had come for India to think big and build world-class manufacturing facilities. Prof Sharma met ministers and secretaries in the Government of India to change their thinking in this matter. His voice was so credible and authoritative that they accepted his advice and ideas.

Today, five decades later, we see the results. India’s chemical industry is now a global force. For this reason, I say that Prof M.M. Sharma is not only our Guru, but also a Rashtra Guru ─ a Guru of Bharat: Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & MD, Reliance Industries
#InstituteofChemicalTechnologyICTMumbai
#DivineScientist #Biography
@ICTMumbai1933

How can we as a nation pay a befitting Guru Dakshina to Prof M.M. Sharma and other Great Gurus like him? Let me present five ideas.

1. We must make India a Deep-Tech Nation and a World Leader in Advanced Manufacturing using AI and other breakthrough technologies. Our universities, institutions of higher learning and research laboratories should have a strong focus on producing tomorrow’s technologies ─ especially in proteins, enzymes and other areas of chemistry that can cure complex diseases, prolong human life, create new materials, clean up the environment, and boost productivity exponentially: Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & MD, Reliance Industries
#InstituteofChemicalTechnologyICTMumbai
#DivineScientist #Biography
@ICTMumbai1933

2. After the 1990s, the private sector unlocked the potential of India’s economic growth. Now, it should also unlock the potential of India’s educational development. Our businesses should get tightly integrated with academia, especially by bringing a problem-solving approach to learning and research. ICT has shown the way. Now, the government, industry and the best minds in academia should join hands to transform our universities into world-class institutions. Today, when many globally reputed universities are facing a crisis, India has the best opportunity to attract the most talented students and faculty from around the world: Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & MD, Reliance Industries
#InstituteofChemicalTechnologyICTMumbai
#DivineScientist #Biography
@ICTMumbai1933

3. Education is not only about creating material and financial value. As Prof M.M. Sharma’s life teaches us, education is even more about inculcating human values. He has taught us that the power of character is more important than the power of material wealth. Character is the intangible wealth that comes with integrity, honesty, humility, empathy and other values rooted in India’s priceless cultural heritage: Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & MD, Reliance Industries
#InstituteofChemicalTechnologyICTMumbai
#DivineScientist #Biography
@ICTMumbai1933

4. Prof Sharma belongs to that rare community of teachers for whom teaching is their dharma. Their passion is to make a difference in the life of humanity. Today India has the world’s largest population of youth. We need tens of thousands of Gurus like him, who can teach our youth how to combine Success with Sanskaar. This combination is necessary to realise the dream of VIKSIT BHARAT: Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & MD, Reliance Industries
#InstituteofChemicalTechnologyICTMumbai
#DivineScientist #Biography
@ICTMumbai1933

My fifth idea is not really an idea, but an instruction that Prof Sharma has given me. When I asked him what he wanted, he said ‘You have to announce something big for ICT. Announce Rs 151 crore to ICT on an unconditional basis’, and I’m happy to announce that for Prof Sharma: Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & MD, Reliance Industries
#InstituteofChemicalTechnologyICTMumbai
#DivineScientist #Biography
@ICTMumbai1933

Today the Star of India is shining bright in the global sky. More than nostalgia, I am filled with hope and confidence in India’s future. Therefore, I will conclude by telling today’s students and youth what Prof M.M. Sharma, my Forever Guru, told me when I was your age: Dream Big. Study Well. Work with Dedication and Discipline. And Bring Greater Glory and Greatness to India: Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & MD, Reliance Industries
#InstituteofChemicalTechnologyICTMumbai
#DivineScientist #Biography
@ICTMumbai1933

Mr Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & MD, Reliance Industries Limited announced an endowment of Rs 151 crore to his alma mater – the Institute of Chemical Technology