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New Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Gautam Adani, family join Rath Yatra celebrations at Puri, cook ‘prasad' for devotees
Bhubaneswar: Chairman of Adani Group Gautam Adani took part in Rath Yatra celebrations and offered 'Prasad Seva' to devotees at Puri on Saturday. After the three chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath were pulled to Shree Gundicha temple at noon, Adani, his wife Priti and son Karan offered prayers to the deities in front of the temple amidst intermittent showers. The family then walked to the mega kitchen of ISKCON at Puri and also offered prayers to the deities there besides assisting in preparing meals and distributing them among the devotees. Later speaking to mediapersons at ISKCON, the Adani Group chairman said he prayed for the country as well as state's development. 'I have got everything from Lord Jagannathji. There was a time when I had nothing and by His grace, today I have everything. Today, I have prayed for our country's bright future and Odisha's development. I have prayed that our country keeps growing and the fruits of development are enjoyed by all its people," he said. The 'Prasad Seva' rolled out by the Adani Group at Puri on the occasion of Rath Yatra includes distribution of 4 million nutritious meals to devotees and frontline officials and workers daily from June 26 to July 8. The group is also extending logistical and safety support in the shape of jackets, raincoats, caps, umbrellas, and fluorescent safety vests for municipal workers and devotees. Its volunteers are assisting in beach clean-up drives, especially targeting plastic waste, and lifeguards from the Puri Beach Lifeguard Mahasangha are receiving direct support. The Adani family also met 'Adani lifeguards' at Puri beach on the day. On the occasion of Rath Yatra on Friday, Adani said his family was blessed to be serving during the Rath Yatra. "By the infinite grace of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannathji, we have been blessed with the opportunity to serve during the sacred Rath Yatra of Puri Dham. This divine journey is that sacred moment when the Lord himself comes to his devotees to bless them with his darshan. It is not just a journey, but a sublime celebration of devotion, service and surrender," the industrialist wrote on X.
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
Barefoot with the faithful: Gautam Adani's journey from industry captain to inner calling at Puri Rath Yatra
Puri: From orchestrating sanitation drives during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj to joining the chariot pulling in Puri, Gautam Adani's expression of seva goes beyond philanthropy - it becomes a spiritual commitment. In the ancient coastal town of Puri, Odisha, where chants of "Jai Jagannath" echo through narrow lanes and the air smells of incense and salt, the annual Rath Yatra is not just a festival - it's a living embodiment of faith. This spiritual grandeur took on an added dimension this year when Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, humbly participated in the chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, embracing the essence of "Seva hi Sadhana hai" (service is worship), a philosophy that underpins both his personal and professional life, on June 28, the second day of the nine-day festival. Dressed in traditional attire, barefoot and unassuming, Gautam Adani joined the lakhs of devotees who thronged the Grand Road (Bada Danda), pulling the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra during the sacred festival that ends on July 5. He did not come as a business leader but as a humble sevak - one among many believers swept in the tide of devotion. With folded hands and bowed head, his actions resonated with silent reverence, capturing the true spirit of selfless service. Gautam Adani's participation was deeply symbolic. It marked a convergence of India's spiritual legacy with corporate responsibility - a quiet message that leadership is as much about grounding as it is about vision. His seva included helping with preparations, engaging with temple servitors, known as Daitapati in local Odia parlance, and offering voluntary support in logistics and pilgrim services. Ranging from coordinating with local teams to aid sanitation drives to facilitating medical assistance for devotees, Gautam Adani's presence underscored his commitment to holistic seva, not as a photo opportunity but as a lived value that embodies his eponymous Group's motto of growth with goodness. This was not an isolated gesture. It builds upon the Adani Group's increasing involvement in community welfare during major religious and national events. Adani Foundation teams were also on the ground at Puri. This year, the support includes nearly 4 million meals and drinks distributed free of cost; designated food counters providing free, nutritious meals to pilgrims and officials; beverage counters across the town offering cool drinks to beat the oppressive Odisha heat; support for lifeguards from the Puri Beach Lifeguard Mahasangha; volunteers for beach clean-up, especially plastic waste; free T-shirts for official volunteers; fluorescent safety vests for municipal workers; and also a variety of jackets, raincoats, caps and umbrellas for officials and devotees. The seva effort is a collaboration between the Adani Group, the Puri district administration, ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) and local volunteer organisations. The Group, which has been working in Odisha through the Adani Foundation across sectors such as rural healthcare, school infrastructure and livelihoods, sees this seva as part of a larger spiritual continuity in India's public life. In an age where power is often displayed through optics, Gautam Adani's quiet seva during the Rath Yatra stood out as a rare act of devotion-led leadership. It reminded the world that humility, when practised with sincerity, becomes transformative. As the chariots of the deities rolled forward through a sea of faith, one of India's most influential industrialists walked silently behind, offering more than just strength to the ropes, but his heart to the journey. Earlier this year, during the 45-day Maha Kumbh Mela, which ended on February 26, the Group had supported food distribution and pilgrim welfare services on a massive scale in collaboration with ISKCON and Gita Press. On January 21, Gautam Adani personally took part in seva at the mela, underscoring the Group's message that social service is not a sideline activity but a central value. Puri 'sewa' was a continuation of that overarching sentiment, where corporate capability met spiritual humility.
India Gazette
a day ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Adani Group launches 'Prasad Seva' in Puri; Gautam Adani says
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): As Lord Jagannath's grand Rath Yatra commenced in Odisha's Puri on Friday, the Adani Group launched its 'Prasad Seva' initiative to serve clean and nutritious food to devotees there. Expressing gratitude, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said the 'Adani family' have been 'blessed with the opportunity to serve in the sacred Rath Yatra.' 'By the infinite grace of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath Ji, we have been blessed with the opportunity to serve during the sacred Rath Yatra of Puri Dham. This divine journey, commencing today, is that sacred moment when the Lord himself comes among his devotees to bless them with his darshan. It is not just a journey, but it is a sublime celebration of devotion, service, and surrender,' he wrote on X. 'On this auspicious occasion, the Adani family is fully dedicated with utmost sincerity and reverence to serve millions of devotees. With the resolve that every devotee receives clean, nutritious, and lovingly served food, we have initiated the 'Prasad Seva' in Puri Dham,' he added. Adani described being able to serve in Puri as a 'matter of immense pride,' saying, 'I pray that the grace of Lord Shri Jagannath Ji remains upon us all forever. Serving humanity is serving the Divine, and service itself is spiritual practice.' Adani Group is undertaking a comprehensive seva effort to support both pilgrims and frontline officials during the Lord Jagannath's grand Rath Yatra in Puri, which commenced today. This year's support includes nearly 4 million meals and drinks distributed free of cost; designated food counters providing free, nutritious meals to pilgrims and officials; beverage counters across the city offering cool drinks to beat the Odisha heat; support for lifeguards from the Puri Beach Lifeguard Mahasangha; volunteers for beach clean-up, especially plastic waste; free T-shirts for official volunteers; fluorescent safety vests for municipal workers; and also a variety of jackets, raincoats, caps and umbrellas for officials and devotees. The seva effort is a collaboration between the Adani Group, the Puri district administration, ISKCON and local volunteer organisations. The Group, which has been working in Odisha through the Adani Foundation across various sectors, including rural healthcare, school infrastructure, and livelihoods, views this seva as part of a larger spiritual continuity in India's public life. (ANI)
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Adani Group, Reliance Foundation to offer ‘seva' to pilgrims, frontline staff of Rath Yatra
BHUBANESWAR: AFTER carrying out food distribution and pilgrim welfare services on a massive scale at the Maha Kumbh this year, the Adani Group will replicate a comprehensive 'seva' effort at the Rath Yatra in Puri. Reliance Industries too, has planned multi-pronged efforts to enrich the Rath Yatra experience for lakhs of devotees. Led by chairman Gautam Adani, Adani Group will be undertaking a comprehensive 'seva' to support both pilgrims and frontline officials during the chariot festival from June 26 to July 8. The company will set up designated food counters to distribute nearly 40 lakh nutritious meals to pilgrims and officials and cool drinks at beverage counters, all free of cost. Besides, it will provide support for lifeguards from the Puri Beach Lifeguard Mahasangha; volunteers for beach clean-up; free T-shirts for official volunteers; fluorescent safety vests for municipal workers; and also a variety of jackets, raincoats, caps and umbrellas for officials and devotees. Similarly, Reliance Foundation will be supporting the 13-day celebration with 'Anna Seva' along with ensuring cleanliness and managing crowd, among other things. It will be serving hot, wholesome meals to lakhs of devotees and police personnel at six key locations along the Rath Yatra route. This apart, the foundation is collaborating with municipal and police authorities to guide devotees and has engaged over 4,000 trained volunteers to manage crowds. It will also be distributing over 1.5 lakh eco-friendly hand-fans to help pilgrims beat the heat and setting up 100 police aid posts with shelters for on-duty personnel. Keeping the rain alert in mind, 3,500 raincoats have also been distributed among police staff.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
After Maha Kumbh Mela, Adani Group To Offer Seva At Puri Rath Yatra
Puri: Following its extensive, mostly volunteer-driven initiative to feed the masses during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj earlier this year, the Adani Group has now shifted its focus to another of India's most revered religious festivals - the Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha. Held annually at the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri, the nine-day chariot procession draws millions of pilgrims from across the country and beyond. In keeping with chairman Gautam Adani's belief that 'Seva Hi Sadhana Hai' (Service is Worship), the Adani Group is undertaking a comprehensive seva effort to support both pilgrims and frontline officials during the Rath Yatra from June 26 to July 8, sources said. This year's support includes nearly 4 million meals and drinks distributed free of cost; designated food counters providing free, nutritious meals to pilgrims and officials; beverage counters across the city offering cool drinks to beat the Odisha heat; support for lifeguards from the Puri Beach Lifeguard Mahasangha; volunteers for beach clean-up, especially plastic waste; free T-shirts for official volunteers; fluorescent safety vests for municipal workers; and also a variety of jackets, raincoats, caps and umbrellas for officials and devotees. This is through collaboration between the Adani Group, the Puri district administration, ISKCON and local volunteer organisations. The group, which has been working in Odisha through the Adani Foundation across sectors, such as rural healthcare, school infrastructure and livelihoods, sees this seva as part of a larger spiritual continuity in India's public life, sources said. For the Adani Group, corporate social responsibility has always extended beyond infrastructure, education and healthcare. Increasingly, it includes direct and active participation in India's spiritual and cultural life - not as a sponsor, but as sevak. Earlier this year, during the 45-day Maha Kumbh Mela, the Adani Group had supported food distribution and pilgrim welfare services on a massive scale in collaboration with ISKCON and Gita Press. On January 21, chairman Gautam Adani personally took part in seva at the Kumbh, underscoring the Group's message that social service is not a sideline activity but a central value. If the Maha Kumbh was about scale, the Rath Yatra is about intimacy, sources said. While the numbers in Puri may be smaller, the energy is no less intense and the logistical complexity immense. Through its Rath Yatra involvement, the Adani Group is not just offering services - it is reinforcing a view of development that is grounded in Indian culture, community and compassion. Sources said much of the planning is done with on-ground partners months in advance, the volunteers are from within the group or local communities, and the execution is often led by Adani coordinators, who have long-standing relationships in the region.
