Technology Without Compassion is Just Machinery: Mukesh Ambani Honours Dr R.A. Mashelkar on Historic Milestone
The evening saw the launch of Dr Mashelkar’s latest book, which outlines his famous philosophy of "More from Less for More"—also known as Gandhian Engineering
Mumbai: In an evening celebrating scientific excellence and the "spirit of New India," Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani paid a glowing tribute to legendary scientist Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar. The occasion, a special felicitation and book launch, marked an extraordinary academic milestone: Dr. Mashelkar’s record-breaking 54 honorary doctorates.
The event brought together a "who’s who" of India’s intellectual and industrial elite, including Professor M.M. Sharma, Maharashtra Education Minister Shri Chandrakant Patil, and prominent members of the scientific community.
From Streetlights to Global Recognition
Addressing the gathering, Ambani highlighted the symbolic nature of Dr. Mashelkar’s journey, tracing his path from a young boy studying under Mumbai’s streetlights to becoming a global scientific icon.
"In Dr. Mashelkar’s life journey, I see the journey of Modern India," Ambani remarked. "He rose from scarcity to global respect, fueled only by his mother’s love and his own steely determination."
Ambani noted that while most people struggle to earn a single degree, Mashelkar has earned 54 "the way some people collect frequent-flyer miles," all while maintaining a level of humility he described as "a rich tree laden with fruits that always bends low."
A central theme of the address was Dr. Mashelkar’s profound influence on Reliance Industries. Ambani credited Mashelkar, alongside Prof. M.M. Sharma, for shifting the company’s trajectory from a project-execution powerhouse to a science-led innovation leader.
Ambani revealed that the Reliance Innovation Council, founded in 2000 at Mashelkar’s suggestion, has fundamentally altered the company's culture. Today, Reliance boasts over 100,000 technical professionals.
"He taught us to see Reliance not as an industrial company, but as a science company," Ambani said. He specifically cited Jio and the company’s new Green Energy initiatives as direct embodiments of Mashelkar’s vision.
The evening also saw the launch of Dr. Mashelkar’s latest book, which outlines his famous philosophy of "More from Less for More"—also known as Gandhian Engineering. This principle advocates for using the latest technology to produce more value using fewer resources to benefit more people.
Ambani connected this philosophy to the burgeoning era of Artificial Intelligence. While urging India to become a world leader in AI, he cautioned that "technology without compassion is just machinery."
"By combining intelligence with empathy, prosperity with purpose, India can present a new model of development to the rest of the world," Ambani stated.
The address concluded with a call to action for the Indian business and scientific communities to integrate more deeply. Ambani argued that for India to become a "deep-tech superpower" in fields like quantum computing, synthetic biology, and space tech, it needs more "bridge-builders" like Mashelkar.
As the speech ended, the hall rose for a standing ovation for the man Ambani called a "Gyan Yogi"—a lifelong learner and one of India’s greatest sons.
