EDUNEWS & VIEWS
India’s Richest Man Mukesh Ambani Shares Five Life Lessons with Graduates
Mukesh Ambani stressed the importance of finding what ignites one’s soul. “When you dedicate your energy to something you love, work becomes joy,” he said

At the 12th Convocation ceremony of Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) on January 28, 2025, Mukesh Ambani, the President of the university and India’s richest man, delivered a heartfelt address to the graduating class of 2024. Located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India, PDEU is India’s premier institution dedicated to energy education and research, making it the only energy-focused university in the country.
Ambani expressed his pride in the students’ achievements and took the opportunity to share five life lessons that have shaped his own journey. He began by congratulating the graduates and acknowledging their energy and accomplishments, praising their self-driven initiatives, and highlighting the university’s commitment to fostering self-reliant, motivated individuals.
Ambani emphasized the importance of gratitude in one’s personal and professional life. “Gratitude is an emotion that lessens our ego, ripens our personality, and enables us to achieve more in life,” he remarked, urging students to always remember the contributions of their parents, teachers, and mentors.
Ambani shared five guiding principles for the students as they step into the next phase of their lives:
- Discover Your True Passion – Ambani stressed the importance of finding what ignites one’s soul. “When you dedicate your energy to something you love, work becomes joy,” he said.
- Commit to Lifelong Learning – In an age of rapid technological change, Ambani highlighted that continuous learning is essential for survival and success. He encouraged the graduates to embrace curiosity.
- Inculcate the Virtue of Sharing – Sharing knowledge and helping others rise, according to Ambani, creates a community of mutual growth.
- Invest in Meaningful Relationships – Genuine, trust-based relationships are foundational to both personal and professional success, Ambani said.
- Cherish and Nurture Your Family Bonds – Ambani reminded students of the crucial role that family plays in providing direction, purpose, and resilience in life.
Ambani concluded his address by emphasizing the boundless opportunities available to young, ambitious individuals in India. He encouraged the graduates to seize the golden age of India with courage, determination, and integrity, highlighting the significant role they can play in the country’s bright future.
EDUNEWS & VIEWS
Ambani Donates $18 Million to the Institute of Chemical Technology
Mukesh Ambani, who had chosen to study at ICT over IIT Bombay credited his professor with shaping his professional journey and inspiring the principles that led to Reliance’s growth

Mukesh Ambani, the country’s richest man, had announced a mammoth donation of $18 million to his alma mater, Mumbai’s Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), on June 6.
Ambani, who is chairman and managing director at Reliance Industries, had been in attendance at a book launch event for Divine Scientist, a biography on Prof. Man Mohan Sharma, Ambani’s ex-teacher and cherished mentor.
Addressing a packed audience at ICT, Ambani said he was invested in ICT’s long-term growth and success in all fronts; advancing research, education, and ideals that Prof. Singh stood for, that is knowledge, sustainability, and nation-building. Sharma, who is professor in chemical engineering at ICT, had been the first engineer from India to be elected as a fellow of the Britain’s prestigious Royal Society.
“This is my Guru Dakshina (offering) [to Prof. Sharma],” Ambani said. Prof. Sharma has had a considerable influence upon him in shaping his professional journey, as well as principles, that led to Reliance’s growth.
In an anecdote he shared with the public, he said, “Prof. Sharma told me, ‘Mukesh, you have to do something big for ICT.’ I replied, ‘Sir, just tell me what to do.’ And he said, ‘Announce $18 million to ICT unconditionally.’ I’m very, very pleased to do that today.”
In the 1970s, Ambani was student at ICT, then known as the University Department of Chemical Technology (or UDCT). He had chosen ICT over an admissions offer at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.
EDUNEWS & VIEWS
Harvard Pledges $250 Million for Research After Federal Funding Slash
The administration has defended the funding freeze as part of a broader campaign to address what it characterizes as pervasive anti-Semitism on campuses and to roll back diversity programs

Harvard University has announced a $250 million investment to sustain vital research programs in the face of steep federal funding cuts imposed by the Trump administration.
The move follows a sweeping $2.6 billion reduction in government grants to the Ivy League institution, citing alleged discriminatory practices and refusal to comply with federal oversight mandates. The cuts, which Harvard is actively challenging in court, have already suspended or canceled dozens of projects—some of which were considered critical to public health and technological innovation.
University President Alan Garber and Provost John Manning issued a joint statement on Wednesday, emphasizing the urgent need to protect research initiatives. “While we cannot fully offset the financial blow from halted federal support, we are committed to backing essential research during this transitional period,” they said. The university is also working with faculty to secure alternative funding channels.
Harvard has strongly criticized the federal measures, calling the termination of grants “unlawful” and accusing the administration of interfering with academic independence. The university contends that the loss of funding not only halts groundbreaking work but also threatens years of scientific progress.
At the heart of the dispute is a broader political clash over university governance. Harvard, whose endowment reached $53.2 billion in 2024, has become a focal point of the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape higher education policy. The White House has demanded greater control over admissions, hiring, and the political climate on campus—demands Harvard has resisted.
The administration has defended the funding freeze as part of a broader campaign to address what it characterizes as pervasive anti-Semitism on campuses and to roll back diversity programs. Critics argue these moves are part of a larger effort to suppress progressive academic culture and penalize dissent over U.S. foreign policy, especially in light of recent student protests against the war in Gaza.
In recent weeks, federal authorities have also taken steps to revoke visas of international students involved in these demonstrations, accusing them of ties to militant organizations—allegations civil rights groups and university leaders have strongly disputed.
With tensions between the federal government and top academic institutions mounting, Harvard’s legal challenge could set a precedent for how universities navigate political interference while safeguarding research, free speech, and academic autonomy.
EDUNEWS & VIEWS
India is not in competition with any other nation: ISRO Chief
ISRO Chief V. Narayanan urges youth to lead India’s technological revolution

In a powerful address at the 8th edition of the Chhatra Sansad India Conclave (CSI), ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) Chairman V. Narayanan inspired over 20,000 young minds to push boundaries and take India to new heights in space exploration and scientific innovation. His message was clear: the nation’s future in technology will be shaped by the youth, and they are crucial in propelling India to the forefront of global advancements.
In his keynote, V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO, spoke about India’s ongoing strides in space exploration. He emphasized that India is not in competition with any other nation but is focused solely on advancing its own technological progress. “India’s future is in the hands of its youth. You are the driving force behind the country’s technological and scientific transformation,” Narayanan said, calling for continued innovation in space research.
The conclave, held at Lovely Professional University, gathered influential leaders, policymakers, and thinkers under the theme “Vision India 2047: Bharat @ 100.” The event was a platform for dynamic conversations about India’s growth and the role youth will play in shaping the nation’s future as it approaches its centenary of independence.
Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Member of Indian Parliament and Founder Chancellor of LPU, set the tone for the event, urging the youth to embrace their power to reshape India’s trajectory. He highlighted LPU’s commitment to nurturing future leaders who will lead the country in global arenas.

Other prominent speakers at the conclave included Smriti Irani, former Union Minister, who encouraged the youth to leverage their talents to build businesses and enterprises that would drive India’s economic future. Motivational speaker Jaya Kishori inspired attendees to embody discipline, values, and purpose-driven action, while Temjen Imna Along, Minister of Tourism & Higher Education for Nagaland, spoke of an inclusive India where progress benefits all regions and communities.
The event also saw insightful video messages from several distinguished figures, including Nitin Gadkari, India’s Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, and Vikrant Massey, Indian actor, emphasizing the role of youth in the ongoing digital revolution and India’s rise on the global stage.
A key feature of the conclave was a thought-provoking debate on “One Nation, One Election,” which sparked discussions on the potential impact of a unified electoral system on India’s future governance. The debate, chaired by Maulana Kalbe Rushaid Rizvi, allowed students to actively contribute their views on shaping India’s democratic structure.
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