Ahmedabad (20.01.2025): At the Foundation Day of Adani International School (AIS), Chairman of Adani Group Gautam Adani not only outlined three guiding principles but also his own experience of missing out college. He wished to see 100 Gautam Adanis emerging out of Adani International School (AIS) not by following his path but by building their own. Adani Group plans to build several such schools across the country.
While addressing students, teachers, parents and others, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said, “And my wish, as I stand here today, is that at least 100 leaders, thinkers, and innovators come from this very school over the next decades. Create businesses that solve the world’s challenges. Lead with integrity and compassion.”
“The vision for the Adani International School was born not as an isolated idea but as a part of the holistic dream we had for Shantigram. The seeds of this vision were laid during one of humanity’s most challenging times — the pandemic of 2020. As the world came to a standstill, it gave us a moment to pause and reflect. And it was during this time of reflection that the idea of the Adani International School began to take shape. We visualized a platform of learning — where children could not just thrive in academics but also grow among open spaces, connected to both nature and innovation,” said Adani.
Research shows that the experiences and environment a child is exposed to before the age of ten play a significant role in shaping who they become as adults. “I believe that the dry and tough living conditions of Banaskantha shaped my social behaviour. It united us through extended family-bonds of trust and dependence. If my childhood experiences in Banaskantha shaped my social behaviour, my parents shaped my core values,” said Adani Group Chairman.
He said, “A question I often get is if I have any regrets that I did not go to college. Reflecting on my life and the different turns it took, I now do believe that I would have benefitted if I had finished college.”
The present-day India is different from the past, he said, “The India I see now is alive with runways. And you are India’s global ambassadors in the making. You are the wings that will lift India. You are part of a generation that has more potential than any generation that has come before it. You will do both take India to the world and bring the world to India. And, my young friends, in this new India, education is your greatest foundation to differentiate.”
The Adani Group is India’s fastest growing conglomerate, and has set the pace to create more new businesses than any other business house in the country. Adani said, “Our journey is not just about creating businesses. Every decision we made, every risk we took, was driven by one goal: how can we create something that serves the greater good? It has been about having the courage to give wings to our dreams and tenacity to fly higher and faster than anybody else. It is about setting a benchmark not to measure against others but to measure ourselves against our own capabilities.”
Adani advices parents to give their children more than just their wealth. He asked them to give values, equip them with resilience, empathy, and the ability to serve others. Encourage them to explore, to innovate and to dream. Also give them roots so they never forget the soil they came from. Teach them that success is not just about personal achievement. It’s about creating a better world for others. Educate them that wherever life takes them — whether they choose to build their future here or abroad — they must carry the spirit of India with them. Allow them to be global citizens but teach them so that their hearts always beat for the nation -- ‘Matrubhoomi’. Parenting is not just about shaping a child’s future. It’s about inspiring them to shape the future of India.
He outlined three guiding principles that he hopes would resonate to navigate through students’ journey in this school:
First — Dream Relentlessly: Don’t limit yourself to small ambitions. As young minds, you are in the best position to dream fearlessly. You have the gift of curiosity, the energy to experiment, and the courage to take risks. India stands at the cusp of greatness and it needs visionaries like you — those who dare to think beyond boundaries, challenge the status quo, and find solutions that others might find impossible. The future belongs to those who dream boldly today, and no one is better equipped to lead that charge than you.
Second — Learn Relentlessly: The future no more belongs to the most talented or the strongest. It belongs to those who are willing to learn. Your pace of learning will be your differentiator. Stay curious, embrace change, and seek learnings even in the face of failure.
And third — Build Relentlessly: Your dreams and your learnings hold meaning only when they build something larger than yourself. Whether for your community, your country, or the world, strive to make a difference. Success is most fulfilling when it uplifts others. This, I believe, is the most profound gurudakshina you can offer to your teachers, your parents and your nation.
Innovate in ways that inspire the next generation. Push the boundaries of what one thinks is possible. So, build something remarkable because you have the greatest opportunity in the India we live in today!