Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani spoke at a special Saturday event honoring renowned scientist Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar. The event celebrated Dr. Mashelkar's milestone of mentoring 54 PhD students and the launch of his latest book. Ambani appeared emotional and credited two key figures-Professor M.M. Sharma and Dr. Mashelkar-for shaping his outlook and aspirations.

He recalled that in the 1990s, when he envisioned transforming Reliance into an innovation-driven company, it was Mashelkar and Sharma who motivated him to develop his own technology instead of purchasing it. This guidance has since led to more than 100,000 technical professionals among Reliance's 550,000 employees. 

Ambani highlighted Dr. Mashelkar's concept of "Gandhian engineering," emphasizing "More from Less for More"-creating more value for more people with fewer resources. He stated, "Dr. Saheb taught us that technology without compassion is just a machine. The success of India's Mars mission and Jio stems from this philosophy, making technology affordable and accessible to the common man." 

Reflecting on future hurdles, Ambani noted that India cannot fully prosper while importing 80% of its energy. He described Dr. Mashelkar as a vital link between science and industry and urged a scientific approach to transform India into a 'deep tech superpower.' 

Appreciating Mashelkar's humility, Ambani concluded, "The journey of a child studying under Mumbai’s streetlights to global acclaim symbolizes modern India's progress. His story teaches us that where you start isn’t as important as your dreams and perseverance."