Convocation Address of Shri Anil Ambani, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited; Chief Guest for the 5th Convocation of EDI's Post Graduate Programmes held on 13^th September 2003.

Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen:

At the outset, I would like to thank Shri P.P. Vora, President, and other members of EDI, for giving me the opportunity to be present here today, to meet the bright, young leaders of tomorrow, and to share with you, some of my thoughts, on the fascinating subject of Entrepreneurship. First my heartiest congratulations to all of you, who have successfully completed, post-graduate programme, in Business Entrepreneurship and Management. You are now poised to embark upon a new, challenging and, I am sure, hugely rewarding phase of your life.

My best wishes to each one of you, as you embark on this exciting journey. My dear young friends - India is a land of great opportunities - opportunities that are perhaps incomparable in the world! You are doubly fortunate to be starting your life, at an exciting time like this - the world's eyes are on India, new business opportunities are unlimited, and economic reforms have unshackled the chains on creativity and innovation. We are a very young nation - just over 55 years since independence - setting out on a path of sustained economic growth, for decades to come. We already have over a billion fellow Indians. Within the next 20 years, we will have 400 million people below the age of 35 years - more than the entire population of the United States! Each person, in this bold new generation, will be in the prime of his or her life, striving for a better tomorrow - creating, in the process, new growth opportunities for budding entrepreneurs like you !

On the most conservative basis, our domestic consumption, in virtually any sector, has the potential to at least double, or treble, from current levels - perhaps, just to catch up with a country like China !

And then, there is the entire global opportunity ! Across diverse sectors internationally, the "Made in India" tag is now an increasingly respected brand, valued for quality, reliability, and competitiveness. Truly, with economic reforms in the country, and with the virtual removal of all trade barriers, the world is now our market - and our opportunity! The pursuit of these opportunities requires an indomitable spirit of entrepreneurship ! And, to be a successful entrepreneur, you have to identify opportunities, that have either not existed before, or have not been noticed before by others ! It is often said, people, who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the only ones who actually do !

Continue..

©2008 This website designed and developed by Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, Ahmedabad