From Modest Beginnings to Impactful Vision
From a small trader in Gujarat to the founder of India’s most diversified conglomerate, the story of the Adani Group is about belief, bold vision and a deep-rooted commitment to national growth. Today, as the Group charts its next chapter in healthcare, one thing is clear: success is only meaningful when it uplifts society. Gautam Adani was born on 24 June 1962 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat to Shantilal Adani, a small-time textile merchant, and Shantaben Adani, both originally from Tharad, a small town in North Gujarat.
Where It All Began?
At just 16 years of age, Gautam moved to Mumbai in search of opportunities. There, he began working as a diamond sorter for Mahendra Brothers. A few years later, in 1981, Gautam returned to Ahmedabad when his elder brother, Mahasukhbhai Adani, invited him to help manage a newly acquired plastics unit. This was Gautam’s entry point into global trade. He began importing PVC (polyvinyl chloride) — a raw material for plastic manufacturing — which sparked his lifelong passion for international business and logistics.
Adani Group – Building India, One Sector at a Time
Started in 1988 by Gautam Adani as a commodity trading business, the Adani Group has grown into India’s largest integrated infrastructure player. The journey from coal and ports to green energy, airports, data centres, and consumer businesses has been nothing short of revolutionary. With over 10 publicly listed companies. Adani Group’s presence now touches every Indian's life — be it through power, roads, logistics, food, or even digital platforms.
He believes, “Faith and believe are the two sides of the same coin. Faith enables beliefs and beliefs must be long term. If you believe in what you do you will have the passion, persistence and endure to develop the skillsets necessary to buck the trend and emerge stronger.”
But What’s the real thing that lies behind the Vision of Adani Group?
A deeper drive towards – “Nation Building with Growth & Goodness.” He became India’s first-generation entrepreneur to take a business group past the $200 billion mark. Yet, he remains grounded in the idea that wealth should serve a larger purpose. This belief is reflected in his ₹60,000 crore commitment towards health, education, and skill development.
Together, Gautam and Dr. Priti Adani have shaped a vision where enterprise meets empathy, and impact becomes the true measure of success. Their combined mission goes beyond business — it’s about building a future where every life touched becomes a story of transformation.
"True progress lies in empowering every individual and community to learn, earn and prosper."
— Dr. Priti G. Adani, Chairperson, Adani Foundation
Rooted in the values of empowerment, inclusion, and service, the Foundation continues to make significant strides in areas that truly matter under the leadership of Dr. Priti Adani — education, health and nutrition, sustainable livelihoods, community development, and climate action. At the heart of this movement is Dr. Priti Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Foundation and a driving force behind some of India’s most impactful grassroots initiatives.
Seva That Speaks: Adani Foundation’s Heartbeat for Humanity
The Adani Foundation celebrated more than just a birthday. Marking Shri Gautam Adani’s 63rd birthday, the Foundation led a nationwide blood donation drive that spanned 206 cities, collecting over 27,661 units of blood. That’s more than 83,000 lives touched. For the first time, the drive went global, with donors stepping forward in Colombo and Tanzania. Each drop donated was more than blood — it was hope.
Seva hi Sadhana hai — Service is Worship.
In the quiet corners of rural India, where children squint at their textbooks and elders silently accept fading vision, the Foundation’s Vision Care Program is bringing clarity, both to sight and to life. For many, it’s the first time they truly “see” the world — and their own worth.
Empowering youth is not just about jobs — it’s about dignity. At SAKSHAM, young people like Siddarth from Karnataka, born with a hearing and speech disability, are finding their voice through skill training. Today, Siddarth runs his own work as an assistant electrician. He is proof that when belief meets opportunity, magic happens.
The Heartbeat of a Nation
"We see a story not just of numbers, but of lives changed and futures shaped."
— Dr. Priti G. Adani, Chairperson, Adani Foundation.
And now, with the launch of Adani Healthcare Temples, the Foundation is dreaming bigger — for India. With an investment of ₹60,000 crore, these state-of-the-art hospitals in Mumbai and Ahmedabad will offer AI-powered healthcare, backed by a global partnership with Mayo Clinic. They’re temples of healing, built on empathy and accessibility.
Since 1996, the Adani Foundation has been walking quietly but powerfully into the lives of over 9.6 million people across 7,000+ villages. From education and nutrition to climate action and rural upliftment, their work isn’t loud—it’s lasting.
At BIGSTORY, we celebrate such changemakers — those who don’t just rise, but lift others as they do. Together, Gautam and Priti Adani represent a rare synergy — a business mind and a social heart. Their belief? True success lies not in what you earn, but in what you give back. Their journey shows that when ambition is fuelled by empathy, the result isn’t just a successful business — it’s a legacy. As India dreams bigger, the Adani family reminds us that growth becomes greatness only when it serves others.
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