At the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) Summit in Hong Kong, Adani Foundation Chairperson Dr. Preeti Adani redefined the essence of philanthropy, describing it as a mission rooted in responsibility and partnership rather than mere charity. Her address offered a fresh perspective on social service and sustainable development.

Faith and Patience in Action: The Woman of Kutch

Dr. Adani began with a story from Kutch, Gujarat, where she saw a woman sowing seeds on barren land. When asked why she was planting in such dry soil, the woman replied, “One day the rain will definitely come. If there are no seeds, the rain will also go waste.” Through this anecdote, Dr. Adani highlighted the spirit of faith, patience, and foresight that underpins true social change.

From Dentistry to Social Impact

Starting her career as a dentist in Ahmedabad, Dr. Preeti Adani dedicated her life to social service inspired by her husband Gautam Adani’s vision of nation-building. She emphasized that real development extends beyond infrastructure and business to include sustainable schools, hospitals, and livelihoods—a philosophy that led to the creation of the Adani Foundation in 1996.

A Model of Shared Responsibility

The Adani Foundation today is among India’s largest social impact organizations, working in education, health, nutrition, sustainable livelihoods, rural infrastructure, and climate change. It has reached over 7,000 villages and impacted 9.6 million people, supported by a family philanthropy commitment of $7 billion. Dr. Adani stressed that beyond numbers, the stories of individual transformation reflect the foundation’s true impact.

Stories That Inspire Change

Dr. Adani shared three inspiring examples:

• Vansh, Gujarat: A three-year-old weighing only eight kilos was nourished back to health with guidance from a local female volunteer.

• Rekha, Maharashtra: A widow with two children became the first female operator of a village milk chilling center, inspiring over a hundred women toward self-reliance.

• Sonal, Mundra: From studying at an Adani school to earning a master’s degree in Ireland, she now works at Apple.

“These individuals are not just beneficiaries; they are now beacons of hope and inspiration,” Dr. Adani said.

A Call to Commitment, Not Applause

Concluding her speech, Dr. Preeti Adani emphasized that real change comes from empowering people to empower others, not just from donations. She urged government, business, and society to collaborate as partners to create lasting impact. “We must become a generation that sows seeds even in drought, trusting that rain will come. When it does, history will remember the seeds of hope we planted,” she said.