Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, delivered an inspiring keynote address at the Harvard India Conference on Indian Business, Policy & Culture. During her speech, she passionately advocated for India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics, emphasizing that the event will be the “greenest” and most sustainable in Olympic history.
Ambani also highlighted the ‘Swadesh’ initiative, which empowers Indian artisans by promoting their craftsmanship globally. She shared insights into her own journey, reflecting on her childhood and humble beginnings, offering a personal touch during her address at Harvard University on Monday.
On India’s Olympic bid, Ambani expressed her belief that the country is ready to host the prestigious event, stating, “I believe that India must host the Olympics. We are set to become the third-largest economy in the world. Of the 10 largest economies, nine have hosted the Olympics, yet India is the only one that hasn’t. This feels odd, and we should take pride in hosting it.” She emphasized that India is committed to hosting a sustainable Olympics by refurbishing and reusing existing stadiums and infrastructures. “If we win the bid, I assure you, we will have the greenest Olympics ever,” she added.
Ambani also spoke about the inspiration behind her initiative, Swadesh, which aims to spotlight India’s rich heritage of craftsmanship. “India is home to over 10 million artisans. Swadesh is here to market their products, and I’m happy to announce that we will soon be launching Swadesh stores in New York and London,” she shared.
Further, she discussed the creation of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), which was inspired by her own experiences of visiting cultural landmarks such as Broadway and the Sydney Opera House. “I thought, why not have something in India that reflects our rich culture and heritage? That’s how NMACC was born—to bring the best of India to the world and vice versa. I’m proud to say that in just 18 months, we’ve welcomed 2 million visitors, not just from India but globally,” Ambani said.
In a special announcement, Ambani also revealed plans for a NMACC weekend at the Lincoln Center in New York, which will feature a fashion show showcasing the work of Indian artisans through Swadesh.
