At the AVPN Global Conference held in Hong Kong, Dr. Preeti Adani, Chairperson of Adani Foundation shared the real stories of hope, hard work and change in society. He inspired the attendees and explained the importance of new thinking and responsibility.
Dr. Adani started her speech from the desert of Kutch in Gujarat, where she saw a woman 26 years ago, sowing seeds in dry land. When Preeti asked why she is doing this, the woman said with hopeful eyes that ‘rain will come one day, and if the seeds are not sown, what will the rain wake up?’ This story became an inspiration for Dr. Adani and presented it as a movement on the stage of AVPN.
Dr. Adani said that she became a dentist at the age of 20 and was dreaming of becoming the top dentist in Ahmedabad, but after marriage, her husband Gautam Adani’s dreams changed her direction. Gautam believed that the real value of nation building is in strengthening education, health and livelihood. This belief inspired Preity to leave the job of her choice and support Gautam’s dreams. This small step, which began in 1996, became the Adani Foundation today, which his family further strengthened with a $ 7 billion donation commitment.
Dr. Adani shared three inspiring stories, which show the real purpose of his work. The first story is of the dynasty, which was weak in a tribal area of Gujarat at the age of 3 with only 8 kg weight. The Supan Sangini of the Adani Foundation helped him and his mother. Today the dynasty is running and is full of life. The second story is of Rekha Bisen, who was a widow in Maharashtra and was upset for her children. With the help of a nutrition, he ran the milk chilling center of his village and inspired 130 women. The third story is from Sonal Garhvi, who was a poor girl from Kutch, but studied at Adani Public School and earned a Masters degree in Ireland and now works in Apple.
Dr. Adani made three important suggestions, which need to work together. First, we have to become a co-producer, not just donors. Donors, companies, government and community should come together so that every money and every solution can be more effective. Second, we have to make multiplier multiplier. An educated girl can show the way to hundreds and a strong woman can make the entire community aware. Third, we have to connect values with skills.
At the end of his speech, Dr. Adani said that ‘We should stand unitedly. Not as a donor, but as a co-producer, not with sympathy, with solidarity and not, with better tomorrow’s faith. We have to become the generation who sow seeds in drought, trust before rain, and prepare a crop of respect and opportunity. ‘ She promised that she would work with AVPN and all colleagues in the coming years.
