India’s youth and diaspora are a formidable force driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and cultural influence worldwide

 The story of modern India is not written in straight lines. It loops and swirls like an intricate Pichwai painting, much like the one artisan in Rajasthan almost abandoned before finding new life in international galleries. It unfolds in flashes of light — sometimes the neon glow of an entrepreneur’s first office, sometimes the burning torch of an Olympic dream. It moves to the rhythm of a tabla in a Mumbai auditorium, to the hum of a server room in Bengaluru, to the roar of the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. It is a story that defies expectations, just like India itself.

 

To understand where India stands now is to embrace its contradictions. It is a country brimming with young, ambitious minds — over 50 per cent of our 1.4 billion people are under the age of 30 — driving change in business, sports, and the arts. Yet, it also remains a land of deep contrasts, where world-class urban infrastructure coexists with rural communities still striving for basic amenities. It is a nation of immense opportunity, yet one that must address economic inequality.

 

This duality — the tension between aspiration and reality — was at the heart of the India Conference at Harvard, an annual global platform that examines India’s business, policy, and cultural trajectory. For over two decades, this student-driven initiative has brought together some of the most influential voices shaping India’s future. Among them this year was Nita Ambani, whose presence reflected not just corporate success but a deep personal commitment to India’s evolution. At Harvard, the Chairperson of the Reliance Foundation spoke not only of India’s achievements but of responsibility — the responsibility to build institutions that endure, to create opportunities that uplift, and to champion a vision of India that is as inclusive as it is ambitious.

Nita Ambani continues to champion causes that resonate with the government’s vision of a self-reliant and culturally vibrant India.

 

What caught my attention first was how Nita Ambani navigated a SWOT analysis of India. Strength? Our youth and our Indian diaspora, a formidable force driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and cultural influence worldwide.

 

Weakness? The 200 million-plus people at the bottom whose lives we need to change in the next decade — a reminder of the urgent need to bridge inequalities and ensure inclusive growth.

 

Opportunity? The adoption of technology at scale, whether in artificial intelligence, green energy, or genomics, presenting India with the chance to lead in industries of the future.

 

Threat? Wars. Speaking “as a mother", she stressed the need for peace in the world — not just as a political or economic imperative, but as a moral responsibility for the sake of humanity, growth, and prosperity.

 

A more precise SWOT analysis of India 2025 would be tough to pen down. And it comes from someone who exemplifies the spirit of modern India.

 

Nita Ambani’s words carried the weight of someone who understands that sustainable progress cannot be achieved in a world divided by conflict. She also spoke of how technological advancements must be harnessed to uplift lives, ensuring that innovations are accessible and beneficial to all sections of society.

 

Moreover, the emphasis on the youth resonated deeply with the country standing at the threshold of a demographic dividend. Her belief in empowering young minds through quality education, mentorship, and skill development highlights the potential for India’s youth to become global leaders and changemakers. Equally, her acknowledgment of the Indian diaspora as a strength underscores their role as cultural ambassadors, economic contributors, and advocates for India on the global stage.

 

Her perspective on peace as a mother, rather than merely a business leader, was a poignant reminder that true prosperity is possible only when humanity prioritises dialogue over discord. Her insights served as both a reflection of India’s present realities and a vision for its future — one rooted in resilience, innovation, and the pursuit of collective well-being.

 

Nita Ambani’s work — spanning education, sports, culture, healthcare, and philanthropy — is a testament to the power of institutions in shaping societies. She has been instrumental in creating spaces where talent is nurtured, traditions are preserved, and excellence is not a privilege but an expectation. At the heart of her philosophy lies an unshakable belief in passion and purpose — two words she often invokes when speaking about building institutions. “I just love what I do. I think there’s magic in it," she says, and the institutions she has built exemplify her conviction.

 

The institutions range from the Dhirubhai Ambani International School, ranking as India’s top international school, to the most successful IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians, and a world-class institution dedicated to the promotion of Indian and global arts, the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC). The NMACC has quickly become a cultural landmark, providing a platform for artistic expression and fostering cross-cultural dialogue.

 

And then there is her determined bid to bring the Olympics to India in 2036. “I believe that India must have the Olympics. We are going to be the third-largest economy in the world. And if you are in the 10 largest economies of the world, nine countries have hosted the Olympics. Only India has not and I find that really odd," she remarked during the India Conference at Harvard, also underlining the fact that India is ready to host the most sustainable Games till date.

 

Nita Ambani’s work, whether in education, sports, or culture, is deeply aligned with the larger transformation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has ushered in — a transformation reinforcing a national ethos that values innovation, inclusion, and excellence. Nita Ambani continues to champion causes that resonate with the government’s vision of a self-reliant and culturally vibrant India. Her contributions across sectors are a testament to the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership in shaping the nation’s future.

 

None of this is to suggest that India’s path forward is without challenges. Dhirubhai Ambani once said, “If you don’t build your dream, someone else will hire you to build theirs." Nita Ambani has taken that philosophy and applied it to something far greater than business — she has built institutions that will shape India for generations to come. As I reflect on her words at Harvard, I realise that her vision is not just about the future — it is about ensuring that India’s moment is not something we wait for, but something we seize. The India she speaks of, the India she helps build, is not on the horizon. It is here. It is now.

 

This article has been published in News18 and various other Hindi newspapers