Mukesh Ambani’s ₹151 Crore Gift to His Alma Mater
- What happened?
– On June 6, 2025, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani pledged ₹151 crore to the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) in Mumbai.
– The announcement came at the launch of “The Divine Scientist,” the official biography of Prof. Man Mohan Sharma, a Padma Vibhushan awardee and Ambani’s former teacher. - Why did he give this gift?
– Ambani called it a “Guru Dakshina” (a traditional token of gratitude to a teacher).
– He credited Prof. Sharma as both his personal mentor and a “Rashtra Guru” who influenced India’s chemical industry. - Personal connection:
– Ambani said Prof. Sharma’s very first lecture persuaded him to join ICT instead of IIT Bombay.
– He described the old UDCT campus as a “sacred temple” and felt driven to honor Sharma’s request to “do something big” for the school. - Prof. Sharma’s legacy:
– Over a 60-year career, Prof. Sharma supervised more than 1,300 PhD scholars.
– Former ICT directors J. B. Joshi and G. D. Yadav paid tribute to his impact on generations of chemical engineers. - What the funds will do:
– Support new research projects.
– Provide scholarships for students.
– Upgrade labs, classrooms, and other infrastructure.
This endowment is the largest in ICT’s history and is meant to carry forward Prof. Sharma’s vision of excellence in chemical education.
