Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani called for stronger institutional support for working mothers and greater efforts to develop women leaders, saying that India’s progress would accelerate when more women were empowered to become “unstoppable”.

Speaking at the launch of Aparajita, the Hindi edition of former State Bank of India Chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya’s memoir Indomitable, Ambani also reflected on resilience, accountability and lifelong learning, describing Bhattacharya’s journey as an example of courage and leadership.

Ambani Praises Bhattacharya’s Journey

Addressing a gathering at the BSE Auditorium in Mumbai, Ambani described Bhattacharya as an unstoppable force and said her life story reflected the spirit of an invincible India.

He said that while the English title Indomitable captured Bhattacharya’s courage and determination, Aparajitacarried a deeper resonance, particularly for young people across India’s towns and villages.

Ambani said the event also fulfilled a commitment made around five years earlier, which had been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He highlighted Bhattacharya’s contribution as an independent director on the Reliance Industries Board, where she has served since 2018.

‘Natural Problem-Solver’ On The Reliance Board

Ambani praised Bhattacharya’s strategic thinking and described her as a natural problem-solver who could challenge ideas constructively and identify emerging developments early.

He also emphasised the importance of emotional intelligence in modern corporate governance, saying women brought a valuable empathy quotient to boardrooms.

Ambani said he believed the modern world required greater emotional intelligence alongside intellectual capability.

He also revealed that his daughter, Isha Ambani, regarded Bhattacharya as a mentor.

According to Ambani, Bhattacharya represents a combination of wisdom, directness and generosity towards younger leaders.

Lessons On Accountability And Lifelong Learning

Reflecting on the themes of Bhattacharya’s memoir, Ambani spoke about the importance of taking responsibility and learning continuously.

Drawing a parallel with his father, Dhirubhai Ambani, and his vision for transforming India’s capital markets decades ago, he said setbacks should not be treated as final judgments but as opportunities for learning and improvement.

He urged leaders to accept accountability rather than blame external circumstances for failures.

Ambani also said leaders should remain lifelong students and be willing to learn from younger generations.

He stressed that leadership should focus on developing more leaders rather than simply building a following.

From Steel Cities To SBI Leadership

Ambani recalled Bhattacharya’s journey from her childhood in the steel cities of Bhilai and Bokaro to becoming the first woman to head the State Bank of India, one of India’s oldest financial institutions.

Referring to the rapid development of artificial intelligence, he said that natural intelligence and human qualities remained irreplaceable.

Bhattacharya’s career, Ambani said, demonstrated the role of resilience and personal strength in overcoming challenges and reaching positions of leadership.

Call For Greater Support For Working Mothers

Concluding his address, Ambani called on Corporate India to build a stronger support system for working mothers and women professionals.

He said women needed greater institutional backing to continue and advance in their professional careers.

Ambani pledged the support of the Reliance Foundation, along with Nita Ambani and Isha Ambani, for efforts aimed at empowering the next generation of women leaders.

He also invited Bhattacharya to help guide a collective initiative involving Corporate India to strengthen opportunities for emerging women leaders.

“When the women of India become unstoppable, the nation itself becomes unstoppable,” Ambani said, calling on companies to support the next generation of leaders and contribute to building a progressive and self-reliant Bharat.

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