The Conversation GAUTAM ADANI, CHAIRMAN, ADANI GROUP

A GANPATI IDOL HOLDS A PRIDE OF PLACE ON THE 16TH FLOOR CHAIRMAN’S OFFICE OF ADANI HOUSE, THE GROUP HEADQUARTERS IN PRIVATE TOWNSHIP ‘SHANTIGRAM’ IN AHMEDABAD. LIGHT SEMI-CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC FLOWS IN THE BACKGROUND IN THE MINIMALLY DECORATED CHAIRMAN’S LOUNGE. GAUTAM ADANI WALKS IN BRISKLY AND SETTLES DOWN AT THE CORNER OF A SOFA WITH A WARM, INFORMAL DEMEANOUR. HE IS AGILE, SPORTS AN UNFLINCHING AIR ABOUT HIM AND A FACE THAT DEFIES THAT HE TURNS 60 ON JUNE 24. GAUTAM ADANI SPEAKS TO FORTUNE INDIA ON WHAT DRIVES HIS AMBITION THAT HAS STUNNED THE CORPORATE WORLD FOR HIS SEEMINGLY INSATIABLE APPETITE FOR NEW BUSINESSES — AND A BOLD $70 BILLION GREEN MISSION.

-  RAJEEV DUBEY AND P.B JAYAKUMAR

VISION — AND MISSION

What is the larger vision driving the Adani group?

My vision for the Adani group has always been about nation building. Current global situation offers our nation unprecedented opportunities. Climate change is one of the biggest challenges. But it also opens up huge business opportunities in energy transition — from fossil fuels to renewables and hydrogen. What the world has seen in 100 years of energy forms is set to change in the next 10-20 years. Academia and research are working on how to make green energy 1 affordable. India has a great advantage — geographically, and in producing cost-effective electrons, converting into green electrons. We can be completely self-reliant. India can also eye exporting energy. If India is to grow, we must find ways to increase per capita electricity consumption. We need to sharpen our focus on industries, rather than services and agriculture. Without self-reliance or ‘atmanirbharta’, we can’t serve 1.4 billion people. This is a huge opportunity for India to become ‘atmanirbhar’, and move from ‘atmanirbharta’ (selfreliance), to ‘bharatnirbharta’ (reliance on India). Right now, the world is dependent on what China makes. India can play this role for the world.

How do you bring ‘atmanirbharta’ into energy transition?