Reliance Foundation, founded in 2010, is the philanthropic foundation of Reliance Industries Limited and one of the largest private foundations in India. Its objective is to promote sustainable growth in India.
Reliance Foundation was formerly known as Dhirubhai Ambani Foundation. It was founded in 2010 by Mukesh Ambani, chairperson of Reliance Industries, and his wife Nita Ambani.
Purpose and activities
The Foundation's objective is to promote sustainable growth in India. It does so in the following five spheres:
Rural transformation. The Bharat-India Jodo is a programme for marginal farmers, and the Foundation also has information service programmes bringing technical expertise to 1,400 farming and fishing villages.Education. The Foundation grants scholarships under the Dhirubhai Ambani Scholarship Programme, which started in Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1996 and was extended nationwide in 2009. It also supports 13 schools, including the Dhirubhai Ambani International School, and establishes universities in partnership with the London School of Economics.Health. The Foundation sponsors the Drishti programme, which provides newspapers in Braille for the blind and the country's largest cornea transplant programme, and is developing the Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre.Urban renewal. The Foundation took over development of Goda Park in Nashik after funding problems had delayed it, and in partnership with NASSCOM is underwriting a social media lab for Mumbai Police to improve involvement of residents in improving safety and security.Arts, culture and heritage. The Foundation sponsors events celebrating and continuing the cultural heritage of India, such as Ustad Zakir Hussain's annual concert in memory of his father, Abbaji, and the Elephanta Festival on Elephanta Island in Mumbai, and also in 2012 co-sponsored with BP the Mummy: The Inside Story visiting exhibition from the British Museum. In February 2016, Reliance Foundation Drishti organized a nationwide arts and essay competition which also involved visually impaired participants. The winning entries were sent out through printed literature.The Foundation also works with other philanthropies and NGOs on collaborative initiatives, for example in 2012 partnering with the television show Satyamev Jayate to provide a grant to Muktangan Rehabilitation Centre in Mumbai to help street children.
