Mukesh Ambani owned RIL’s empress Nita Ambani, is famously described as “Reliance’s real program manager” by her husband. It will not be surprising to soon hear EIH’s chairman P R S Oberoi, use the same words to describe Nita Ambani’s role with regards toOberoi and Trident group of hotels, after nominating her on the board.
Though the Ambani’s and Oberoi’s are downplaying Nita Ambani’s inclusion in the EIH board to be of a non-executive nature, time will reveal that it goes much beyond what the designation suggests. Nita Ambani considers her first formal corporate role as an honor, but softens it by adding that RIL was a long-term financial investor and was not seeking to run the company. However, analysts believe that RIL is now prepared to play a larger role in the hospitality business, and Nita Ambani will certainly not play an ornamental role even if the designation suggests so.
Post the formal nomination as a board member, Nita Ambani said,” Right now, I am in a learning mode with Mr. Oberoi”. The comment was roughly the same as the one she made three years ago, about her husband’s foray into cricket. She was not completely in agreement with Mukesh Ambani when he bought Mumbai Indians, but adapted the ‘learning mode’ after disastrous matches at IPL 2 in South Africa.
She flew down to South Africa and took charge of the team. Since then, she is always present for all team meetings and auctions. Nita Ambani is the lady luck for Mumbai Indians, and the team’s performance has visibly risen since she took the leadership. Mumbai Indians triumphantly won the CLT20 this year. Her ‘amazing leadership qualities’ and ability to ‘bond with the boys’, are given creditfor the team’s achievements.
Nita Ambani’s dedication to work is worth praising. She juggles between multiple roles and is ascompetent as her husband. As the chairperson of Dhirubhai Ambani International School, she visits the school daily and is present there even before the school opens. She heads the Dhirubhai Ambani Foundation, a non-profit organization which promotes education and health care services. She is equally devoted to Project Drishti, which provides free treatment to the blind. Her future agenda needs her to be the spearhead of 400-plus bed multi-specialty hospital and Reliance University, an ambitious project to set up a world-class university.
After playing diverse public roles, Nita Ambani, the wife of India’s richest businessman, loves to play the role of a middle-class lady at heart. She adores being a home-maker and a very supportive mother. She keeps track of weekly spending and enjoys shopping for crockery, like every other woman.

1st November, 2011: Nita Ambani chose to spend her birthday at a holy location. She flew to the temple town of Nathdwara to seek the blessings of Shrinathji, along with her husband Mukesh Ambani. The principal shrine of Shrinathji is located 48 kilometers North-East of Udaipur city in Rajasthan.

Last afternoon, the couple flew to the holy shrine of Shrinathji to offer prayers and seek blessings from the deity. Nita Ambani does not believe in performing rituals, but is a highly spiritual person. She chose to celebrate her birthday in a quiet manner in the presence of almighty, rather than hosting a glamorous party at her new residence.

Nita Ambani had a wish to celebrate her special day at Badrinath, the holy town in India’s Char Dham pilgrimage. Her husband was more than happy to oblige, but the weather conditions accounted for the cancellation of the well-planned trip. They had planned to take their chartered flight till Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport, and then land nearer to the Badrinath shrine by switching to a chopper. Like true pilgrims, they intended to cover the last stretch of the journey by foot. However, due to bad weather conditions, they flew to Shrinathji.

Details about any special gifts have not been revealed. However, East India Hotels (EIH) has given Nita Ambani a potential gift by inducting her as a board member. Nita Ambani checking into EIH’s board has certainly given a sharp rise in her public profile. Besides managing the Dhirubhai Ambani International School and running the cricket team Mumbai Indians, she also manages the operations of the American sports major, IMG. By taking up the role of a non-executive director, Nita Ambani has entered the business limelight and marked her first corporate foray, a day before her birthday.

EIH Limited, a member of The Oberoi Group, has sent a special invite to Nita Ambani to attend its board meeting. Sources have revealed that Nita Ambani would be nominated as the board member. The role will be of a non-executive nature.

Reliance Industries Limited holds 14% stake in EIH Limited, which runs the Oberoi and Trident chains. Nita Ambani is closely associated with Mukesh Ambani owned RIL’s increased focus on services to the nation. Reliance accounts for more than 50% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The EIH board has 8 directors, including the chairman PRS Oberoi, his son Vikram and nephew Arjun. The inclusion of Mrs. Ambani on the board is a step towards fostering and cementing Oberoi family’s relationship with the Ambani family, according to analysts. Himani Singh, a senior analyst at Mumbai-based brokerage firm Elara Capital said,” Giving a board seat to RIL will not make much of an operational difference to the company since it enters as a strategic investor”.

Nita Ambani’s public role has increased manifold over the last couple of years. She entered the public life when she set up the Dhirubhai Ambani InternationalSchool in 2003. However, it is said that she has helped in designing the township at Jamnagar, where RIL has built the world’s largest refinery.

RIL officials say that Mrs. Ambani supervised the execution of projects involving setting up schools, parks and shopping complexes which cater to over 2,500 families. Business historian Gita Piramal added, “She has had enormous experience in creating big projects. It is coming out in the public realm now. She was involved in RIL’s Jamnagar Township. She had put a lot of soul in the project. She has an eye for detail and this would help her in the hospitality business”.

Recently, Nita Ambani joined RIL’s foray into sports, as a board member of RIL’s joint venture with IMG. She manages the American Sports Major’s Indian arm and aims at building an academy to train coaches and athletes.

Nita Ambani has proved her managerial skills as the co-owner of Mumbai Indians. After a poor performance in the 1st and 2ndIPL, her team emerged as the runner-up in the 2010 IPL.The Mumbai Indians recently played victoriously and bagged the CLT20 championship 2011.

RIL’s last general meeting announced that Reliance Foundation would set up a private university. It is said that the private university will be run by Mrs. Ambani. Nita Ambani certainly plans to make more contributions to her public life.

Harbhajan Singh led Mumbai Indiansconferred as 2011 Champions by their victorious win overRoyal Challengers Bangalore. Mumbai Indians defended their score of 139, by confining Royal Challengers at 108 runs.

After winning the toss, Mumbai Indian’s captain Harbhajan Singh decided to bat first. The 1st over of the match, bowled by T Dilshan was smooth and Mumbai Indians scored a triumphant ten. However, 4 overs later the scoreboard displayed 24-2, when S Kanwar was bowled out by Dirk Nannes. With 5 overs more to go, MI’s score was 109-5, and so were the hopes to surpass 150. Vettori claiming 2 wickets in the 16thover dismissed the hope though. After a full quota of 20 overs, Mumbai Indians scorewas 139.

Malinga bowled the 1st over to RCBs, whose opening batsmen T Dilshan and Chris Gayle scored 2 boundaries. At 4 overs, their score stood at 38. A remarkably good start RCBs! Nita Ambani led Mumbai Indians hopes did not perish though. After 6 overs, RCB lost its opening batsmen at 42 runs, and Mumbai Indians got the ball back in their court.

RCB’s duo ViratKohli and MayankAgarwaladded 23 runs to their score, but soon Agarwalbid bye to the pitch in the 11th over. The succeeding over added to Mumbai Indians success as Bhajjigot the wicket of Kohli. Team RCB was put under pressure by oppositions, as they needed 67 runs from 48 balls. Though they still had faith in their Captain Vettori, MI’s captain was not going to let his team down. He grabbed Vettori’s wicket in the 17th over.Abu Nechimclaimed RCB’s last wicket and won Mumbai Indian’s claim over Nokia’s CLT20 trophy.

MI won the finals against RCB by 31 runs. Quite an entertaining match, Mumbai Indians!After a triumphant glory, Mumbai Indians team members also brought home the titles Man of the Match and Man of the series. Harbhajan Singh received Man of the Match, and SL Malinga’s all-round competition earned him the title ‘Man of the series’. Team owner, Nita Ambaniwas seen celebrating her team’s victory along with the team members at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

18th September: Nita Ambani, who joined the Coca-Cola NDTV Support My School Campaign, visited Priyadarshini Vidyamandir at Charkop, as a part of her social initiative to help underprivileged girls. Nita Ambani, Chairperson of DAIS, has always been consistent in her social work, and now adds more to her service to the less privileged. Many children, especially girls, discontinue their studies after a certain age, due to lack of restrooms and sanitation. The purpose of this campaign is to facilitate institutions with proper, hygienic sanitation and encourage students from dropping out mid-way through their schooling.

Nita Ambani, who was touched by the poor conditions, in which the children study, did not fail to leave an imprint on the young minds. Accompanied by Vinod Dua from NDTV, she was greeted by a lady in the traditional way of applying ‘tikka’ and was presented flowers. A pleasant smile on her face, she walked in to the classroom and using conversational techniques, taught the kids. She used stuffed toys such as a duck and a cat as visual aids while teaching a poem to the little ones.

Nita played quiz with the children who were happy to have a teacher who was friendly, and gave them gifts. She walked into another class, where the students were present along with their parents. She enquired with the parents regarding what they aspired for their child, and what their major concerns were. After the teaching session, as a surprise, she distributed sweets among the kids.

Nita Ambani was amazed by the talent of the children who performed for her. She was truly moved by the ‘lavani’ performed by Pooja, a physically disabled child. Having a keen interest in Classical Dance, she did not hesitate to join the children onstage.

Teaching has always been Nita Ambani’s passion. She supports the NGO, Akanksha, which educates the street children. Sessions for these children are conducted in Dhirubhai Ambani International School, in the evenings.

She regards her visit to Priyadarshini Vidyamandir as one of the best and most memorable experiences in her life. She feels that everyone should try and give in their best to educate the girl child, and the less privileged children. Nita Ambani has plans for the future& wants to contribute more towards education in rural India. She has set an example that a life of service and compassion is the true face of humanity.

Philanthropy, in a larger context, involves voluntary efforts directed at human welfare and social betterment. In times when consumerism and materialist disposition takes top priority for individuals and organizations alike, it is refreshing to see corporate leaders, such as Mukesh Ambani, adhere to the time-honored activity of doing good for the society and its people.

Mukesh Ambani, along with his wife Nita Ambani, is the quintessential figure of modern corporate philanthropy. Both of them have invested much of their time and efforts in tackling and improving issues that are of social importance. Their inclination to social welfare is evident from their corporate social responsibility arm – Reliance Foundation – which serves as the medium to undertake and impart social welfare projects. This organization was set up to better direct Reliance Industries Limited’s (RIL’s) endeavors in doing things for the community and society. Over the many years since its inception, Reliance Foundation has found ground as one of India’s leading CSR arms that encourage many a gainful causes. From addressing issues like encouraging formal and vocational education, providing affordable high-quality health care, setting up evocative rural development and urban renewal programs, and protecting and promoting of India’s heritage of arts and culture, Reliance Foundation ensures it does its part in contributing to the betterment of the society.

Reliance Foundation isdear to both Nita and Mukesh Ambani. While Mukesh Ambani leads the industrial arm of RIL, Nita Ambani has taken on the charge of overlooking and igniting social programs on behalf of RIL, so that the organization is regularly involved in benevolent projects. Apart from Reliance Foundation, Nita Ambani also lends her time to other social causes, including UNAIDS – a project aimed towards halting and reversing the HIV epidemic in India and Project Drishti, a unique initiative by RIL and NAB, with an aim to give sight to sightless people from the underprivileged segment at no cost.

To see corporate power couple such as Mukesh and Nita Ambani, take a proactive role in leading socially resound initiatives, an inkling of inspiration can be taken by others to follow a similar path.

Forever ready in support of Mumbai and its people, Nita Ambani, wife of Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and head of RIL’s philanthropic arm ‘Reliance Foundation’, has stepped out in support of those affected by the Mumbai blast that traumatized the city on 13th of July. Nita Ambani, most famously referred to as the face of modern philanthropy, has put together a team of doctors who are present 24 hours of the day to help blast victims at Opera House in Mumbai.

On hearing the news of the blast, Nita Ambani immediately made her way to Sir Hurkisondas Nurrotumdas Hospital near Opera House where victims from the Opera House blast site were admitted. She personally took to her onus to look after the victims and to ensure that treatments were being provided efficiently and effectively. The death toll has so far been contained, and Nita is closely monitoring the hospital functions to ensure the continuum of the same.

Nita Ambani has always been an active social contributor, ready at all times to help those in need. She goes lengths to ensure that her efforts and her team’s efforts are buoyant and bearing fruitful results, and for this, she herself takes charge of the situation. To ensure blast victims were not hounded by media professionals, she has requested a ban on media photographers and journalists from entering the hospital premises to safe guard a victim’s privacy and to aid their well being. Supervising the treatments and regularly checking up on blast victims is a benevolent act of hers and everyone at the hospital are awed by her efforts to help aid reinstating the health of victims.

It is a wondrous site to see people like Nita Ambani come out in support of the city in a voluntary act of social welfare. She has been just as active in lending a helping hand when calamity has struck this nation’s people, and she is resolute in continuing doing so.

The much anticipated movie of the year ‘Delhi Belly’, all set to release this Friday, saw its first takers in the likes of Mukesh Ambani, head honcho of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and his wife, Nita Ambani, co-owner of IPL team Mumbai Indians. A screening of the movie was specially organized by the Ambani’s dear friend and Bollywood super star Aamir Khan at their residence, Antilla.

Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, both, are close friends and fans of the actor and were much elated at the prospect of catching the first glimpse of the youthful and edgy film from the superstar’s home production. Aamir Khan flew down from Kolkata on June 25th, and got in to gear to organize the screening at the industrialist’s home accord. Abhinay Deo, the director of ‘Delhi Belly’, also joined Aamir at the Ambani residence for the screening.

Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, both avid Bollywood enthusiasts, have been previously spotted with the actor and his wife at many of the 2011 cricket world cup matches, where the Khans and the Ambani’s shared the preview box together. Moving from cricket to Bollywood this time around, Aamir Khan played host to his previous hosts and organized the movie screening personally for them.

Delhi Belly is a dark comedy, edgy and a modern day movie of three young men, stuck mistakenly in the hit list of one of the world’s deadliest crime syndicates. The movie is a much anticipated wait from the Aamir Khan banner, starring his nephew Imran Khan in the lead. It also happens that both Mukesh and Nita Ambani were present at Imran Khan’s wedding earlier this year, and cordially enjoyed the reception with the Khans. This new brewing association between the Ambanis and Aamir Khan is the latest talk of the town.

Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has landed upon rich natural gas reserves in the D9 block of Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin. It is the first gas discovery for RIL in the exploration well KG-D9-A2, with an estimated resource potential of the block being close to 5.2 10 trillion cubic feet (tcf), according to London based Hardy Oil and Gas Plc. The discovery has been named ‘Dhirubhai – 54′, for being RIL’s 54th hydrocarbon discovery, and has been notified to the Government of India and Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH).

Following the stupendous discovery in the D6 block of the KG basin, which carries an estimated 11.3 tcf of reserves, the D9 block is the second biggest find in the basin. This block was stipulated to carry around 10 tcf reserves, but following the drying up of the first well drilled in the region previous year, only 5tcf of reserves have been actuated.

RIL and Hardy Oil share partnership interest in the basin, with RIL carrying a majority interest of 90 per cent, rendering the remaining 10 per cent with its minority partner. Hardy Oil reported that the stipulated well was drilled to a depth of 4,881 meters with the objective of exploring the play fairway in the Early and Late Miocene Channel Levee Complex in a water depth of approximately 2,700 meters. The potential commerciality of the project is still being processed, as additional data comes in.

The D9 basin is located towards the east coast of India, spanning across an area of 8,695 sq. km. The discovery of natural gas reserves in D9 basin is the second energy based discovery for Reliance Industries in the year, following the discovery of rich gas reserves in the Cauvery-Palar region. As of now, the D9 venture is set to commence work on its fourth exploration well before the end of the year. Following the success of D6 block, D9 and D3 blocks seem to hold the most potential for Reliance.

Nita Ambani, wife of Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), honed the Pidilite-Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) charity fashion show titled ‘Pidilite – caring with style’ showcasing designs by India’s leading designers Shaina NC and Manish Malhotra, where this first lady of corporate India took to the ramp in full galore to support the noble cause.

Held at InterContinental The Lalit, Mumbai, Nita Ambani was joined by a large Bollywood brigade and socialites alike including the likes of CPAA brand ambassador Vivek Oberoi, Kajol, Riya Sen, Farah Ali Khan, Tisca Chopra, Madhoo Shah, Shama Sikander, Divya Dutta, Vidya Malavade, and Sheetal Mafatlal. These leading ladies took to the ramp and sported the designs made by the Manish Malhotra and Shania NC as the crowd them on. Nita Ambani’s younger sister, Mamtha Dalal, was also present at the event and took to the stage along with her sister in support of the cause. Having stayed away from the limelight, it was refreshing to catch both Nita and her sister Mamtha take centre stage at the charity show. Also present at the event were Praful Patel, actors Nikhil Chaturvedi, Mitali Kakkar, Shweta Kawatra and Manav Gohil, Zeba Kohli, Lillete and Ira Dubey, Neelam and Ronit Roy, Schauna Chauhan and Bikram Saluja, Sammir Dattani; Darshan Hiranandani, and Chhaya Mohmaya.

Nita Ambani has donned the philanthropic hat for many years and her support to social welfare causes has been paramount in making the needful difference. Forever at the helm in support of social and community welfare programs, Nita Ambani’s contributions towards the same have garnered for her many accolades and recognition. Her most notable work is reflected in her dedicated work towards the upliftment of underprivileged children and youth empowerment through provision of education opportunities to all. A proactive social activist and educationist alike, Nita Ambani understands the need for all rounded education for every child and values the institution most dearly.