Gautam Adani Sunday termed NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar his mentor, as the industrialist inaugurated the Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in Baramati.
Describing Sharad Pawar as his mentor, Adani said, “I have been blessed to have known Pawarsaheb for over three decades. What I have learnt from him has no parallel. Beyond his knowledge, it is his wisdom, his affection and deep empathy that leave the strongest imprint. That is why he has always been a mentor in the truest sense.”
The Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in Baramati, funded by the Adani Group, has been established under Vidya Pratishthan, which is run by the Pawar family.
However, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alleged that it was Adani who had engineered the NCP split.
‘Relations go back 30 years’
Talking about Adani, Sule said, “Our relations go back 30 years. Gautam bhai is like my elder brother, and Preetiji (Adani’s wife) is my bhabi.
Hailing Adani’s achievements, Sule said, “Gautambhai is not only successful in India but also in the world. As a family, we have seen his struggle right from his early days. Very few people know how he started off in life. Whatever Gautambhai has achieved today, I think, the credit for this goes to his wife’s patience. Behind every successful man there is an extraordinarily patient woman. And a classic example of this is Preeti bhabhi, who has been extraordinarily patient and strong.”
In his speech, Ajit Pawar said, “Gautam Adani often comes to Baramati… Gautambhai started his business from zero in 1988. And today, Adani Group has expanded to 20 countries. The Adani Group is providing jobs to three lakh people in the country. And Gautambhai was telling me that this figure would reach 5 lakh in the next five years. This means families of five lakh people will be dependent on the Adani Group. It reflects their vision and their tenacity.”
The Deputy CM further said, “The Adani Group has Rs 1,000 crore CSR funds. In the next two years, the CSR fund will go up to Rs 3,000 crore. The Adani Group is doing everything possible to help the poor.”
Addressing the gathering, Sharad Pawar said, “I am happy that Gautam Adani himself came to inaugurate the centre…Gautam Adani occupies a prominent place in the country’s industrial map. He has made contributions in several fields. He started his career from zero, charted his own course and reached new heights as an industrialist. It requires an indomitable spirit to succeed in life, and he has shown the way by making it through a difficult phase.”
Recalling the hurdles faced by him, Pawar said,”I remember the time when Gautambhai wanted to start a project in Gujarat but he faced hurdles. He then moved from Gujarat to Mumbai. He had nothing in his pocket when he came to Mumbai from his drought-prone district of Banaskantha. He even lacked proper education. But Mumbai never lets down anyone who is ready to slog. Gautambhai was ready to work hard. The Adani Group he started today has businesses in 23 states of the country and is providing jobs to lakhs of people.”
Pawar said if the nation moves forward with Adani’s ideas, it can eliminate proverty and unemployment. ”Gautambhai and his wife today shared their vision of tomorrow’s India. If we implement their thoughts, we will be able to remove poverty and unemployment,” he said.
Adani said he has visited Baramati several times. “I can say with absolute conviction that what Pawarsaheb has achieved here is beyond just local development. He has transformed agriculture, strengthened cooperatives, encouraged entrepreneurship, built educational institutions, established industry policy and done so in an unparalleled, integrated manner,” he added.
On the centre of excellence, the industrialist said, “This partnership is a commitment to build applied technological capability, where AI research, engineering and execution move together in an integrated fashion… Baramati stands as a symbol of one such transformation, with limitless potential, made possible by the vision of an extraordinary leader and mentor, Sharad Pawar.”
Opp slams Adani
Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said it should not be forgotten who split the NCP. “It was Adani who split the NCP, no one should forget that,” he alleged.
Maharashtra Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe said, “The Adani Group has established its monopoly on the industrial sector through their BJP connection… We are strongly opposed to their proximity to the prime minister, which is helping them establish their hegemony in the wrong manner. Whatever our alliance partners are doing, it is their lookout.
Gautam Adani with Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar in Baramati today. (Express photo) 
Share
