Marking a major milestone in IIM Lucknow’s efforts to bring global icons and thought leaders from the industry to enhance the academic experience and horizons of future business leaders, the institute hosted Shri Gautam Adani, Founder and Chairperson, Adani Group, for an inspiring keynote session on campus, today, the 7th of August 2025.
Focused on Shri Adani’s remarkable entrepreneurial journey and the evolving landscape of business leadership in India and abroad, the session was attended by Prof. M.P. Gupta, Director, IIM Lucknow, Prof. Sanjay Singh, Dean (Programmes), Prof. Sanjeet Singh, Dean (Faculty), Prof. Sanjeev Kapoor, Dean (Research), Prof. Sushil Kumar (Dean Infra & CAO). Prof. Ajay Singh, Dean (Noida Campus), along with faculty, and students of the IIM Lucknow community.
In his address, Shri Adani highlighted his experiences of building one of India’s largest and diversified business conglomerates, while offering insights into leadership, risk taking, and the critical importance of resilience in today’s global economy.
During his address, Shri Adani said, “It is my privilege and responsibility to be speaking to the finest minds at one of India’s top business schools. You are all the potential architects of a new India. My journey and experience have taught me that the real world is not a case study, it is built on conviction, resilience, and the courage to chart unknown paths. Success is not defined by our ability to create new charts. Every project we undertook, from the marshes of Mundra to the contested coalfields of Australia, or from the salt deserts of Khavda to the dense lanes of Dharavi, was never just about business. All these projects were acts of imagination, resilience, the refusal to accept the world as it is and daring to shape it as it could be. ‘Vikas wahi saccha hai jo manavta ke buniyad pe rakha ho, varna wo mahaj ek vistaar ban ke reh jata hai’(Only that development is meaningful which is founded on the principles of humanity; otherwise, it merely ends up as an expansion).”
Shri Adani further stressed the need to step beyond conventional boundaries. “In today’s world of AI and algorithms, true leadership lies in the courage to create the future. The frameworks you study here will give you tools, but it is your conviction, character, and willingness to step into the unknown that will define your legacy. Go where the problems are complex, and where others hesitate. That is where your efforts can spark real change. True purpose is not found in ease, but in impact. So, when the world asks where the future is being built, let your proud answer be, ‘Here, in India’.”
Welcoming Shri Adani to the campus, Prof. M. P. Gupta, Director, IIM Lucknow said, “Some days become truly special because of the presence of someone extraordinary. With Shri Adani’s presence at IIM Lucknow, today is one such day. His journey from modest beginnings to remarkable success is deeply inspiring. As academic institutions, we must ask how we can be more relevant, impactful and aligned with the national agenda of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. I believe Shri Adani’s visit to IIM Lucknow will mark the beginning of a meaningful relationship, and I look forward to many more engagements in the future.”
During the visit, Shri Adani also participated in an interactive session with faculty members of IIM Lucknow to discuss various topics such as, industry-academia collaborations, future-ready management education, and India’s growing role in global business ecosystem, among others.
Aligning with IIM Lucknow’s commitment to promoting a greener and sustainable future, Shri Adani also planted a tree sapling on the campus.
