India Must Shape Its Own Development Path: Gautam Adani at IIT–ISM Dhanbad Centenary

Adani advocates a two-pillar approach to sovereignty—mastery over natural resources and energy systems—while warning against narrative colonisation. He highlights mining's role in future industries, the Carmichael project, and the Khavda renewable park, alongside new collaborations with IIT-ISM for internships and a mining excellence centre.

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani delivered a powerful and wide-ranging address at the centenary celebrations of the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, urging India to "do only what is best for India" as the world enters an age of fractured alliances and shifting global equations.

Calling this moment *India’s "Second Freedom Struggle"*—this time for economic and resource sovereignty—Adani said the nation must define its development journey without succumbing to global pressures or externally crafted narratives.

Adani asserted that modern sovereignty rests on *two pillars*: 1. *Mastery over natural resources*, and 2. *Mastery over the energy systems that power India’s rise*. He reminded the audience that IIT–ISM itself reflects early Indian foresight. Over a century ago, even under colonial rule, Indian leaders pushed for an institution to strengthen capabilities in mining and geology, recognising that "a nation cannot rise to greatness unless she first masters the language of the earth under her feet."

Adani warned against what he termed *"narrative colonisation"*—where nations historically responsible for large-scale emissions now seek to dictate how developing economies should grow. He emphasised that although India is among the largest energy consumers, its *per-capita electricity consumption and carbon emissions remain significantly below global averages*. Yet, he said, global sustainability rankings often overlook historical responsibility and per-capita realities, unfairly portraying India’s development aspirations as environmentally irresponsible. "If we do not control our own narrative, our aspirations will be delegitimised, and our right to improve our standard of living portrayed as a global offence," he said.

*Carmichael Mine and the Battle for Energy Security*

Adani spoke extensively about the Group’s *Carmichael coal project in Australia*, calling it one of the most contested environmental and political projects of the century. Despite protests and global pressure, the Group persisted because the mine was critical for *India’s energy security*, providing higher-quality coal to support industrial growth. He contrasted this with the Group’s major push into clean energy, including the *world’s largest renewable energy park* at Khavda in Gujarat, which will generate *30 GW of green energy* by 2030. Portions of this project are already operational.

*Mining: The Foundation of the New Economy*

Adani argued that mining is not an "old economy" sector but the *foundation of all future industries*. Rare earth elements, lithium, copper, silicon, and uranium—all essential for renewables, electric mobility, electronics, AI infrastructure, and digital economies—come from beneath the earth. "Without mining, there is no new economy," he declared, urging students to take pride in the discipline that enables India’s next technological leap.

*Two Major Announcements for IIT–ISM Dhanbad*

Adani announced two significant initiatives aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Adani Group and IIT–ISM:

*1. Adani Annual Internships*

- *50 paid internships every year* for third-year students - *At least 25% pre-placement offers* for selected interns - Focus on innovators who can "rewrite manuals" rather than merely follow them

*2. Adani 3S Mining Excellence Centre*

- Launched in collaboration with *TEXMiN* - Equipped with *metaverse labs, drone fleets, seismic sensing systems, and precision mining technologies* - Annual campus-wide hackathon to identify transformative ideas, backed by funding and real-world implementation support

*"Dream Fearlessly, Act Relentlessly"*

In an inspiring closing, Adani urged students to become *"custodians of the core"*—professionals who will secure India’s economic future by building sovereign capabilities in mining, energy, and materials. "You are not just mining minerals—you are mining dignity. You are extracting sovereignty," he said. He called upon the next generation to dream boldly, embrace innovation, and help build a confident, self-reliant India.