Private non-profit organization by Reliance Industries Ltd
Reliance Foundation is an Indian non-profit organisation which was founded in 2010 by Mukesh Ambani. It is wholly owned by Reliance Industries Limited[2] and is one of the largest non-profit foundations in the country.[3]
History
Reliance Foundation was formerly known as Dhirubhai Ambani Foundation.[4] It was founded in 2010 by Mukesh Ambani, chairperson of Reliance Industries.[1]
Purpose and activities
The foundation's objective is to promote sustainable growth in India.[5][6] It does so in the following 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.[7]
- 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.[4][8] It also supports 13 schools, including the Dhirubhai Ambani International School,[7] and establishes universities in partnership with the London School of Economics.[2]
- Health: The foundation sponsors the Drishti program, which provides newspapers in Braille for the blind[9] and the country's largest cornea transplant programme, and developed the Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai.[7]
- Urban renewal: The foundation took over development of Goda Park in Nashik after funding problems had delayed it,[10] and in partnership with NASSCOM is underwriting a social media lab for Mumbai Police to improve involvement of residents in improving safety and security.[11]
- 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,[12] and the Elephanta Festival on Elephanta Island in Mumbai,[13] and also in 2012 co-sponsored with BP the Mummy: The Inside Story visiting exhibition from the British Museum.[14] 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.[15][16]
- The foundation has proposed to set up Jio Institute near Karjat.[17][18]
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.[19]
