Mukesh Ambani awarded Othmer Gold Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani has been conferred the prestigious Othmer Gold Medal for his entrepreneurial leadership that has resulted in the expansion of India’s petroleum refining industry, creation of the Jamnagar Refinery in Gujarat – the largest grassroots petroleum refinery in the world, and path-breaking initiatives in oil and gas exploration.

The award was presented to Mr. Ambani on Monday, the Heritage Day of The Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF), by Mr. Carsten Reinhardt, President & CEO of CHF, and Mr. Raj Gupta, Chairman of Delphi Automotive (formerly Chairman, President & CEO of Rohm and Hass), in Philadelphia, United States of America.

Following the award ceremony, Mr. Ambani was feted at a glittering dinner by Mr. Tom Ridge, Pennsylvania Governor and former Secretary of Homeland Security.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ambani dedicated the award to the indomitable spirit of his father, Dhirubhai Ambani, who went on to become a legend in his lifetime, and to each and every member of the great Reliance Family. It was Dhirubhai who encouraged Mr. Ambani to pursue chemical engineering at a time when Reliance only dealt in textiles.

Talking about the interests of the people of India and the US, Mr. Ambani said he was confident that the two pluralist societies would be at the heart of a new world of shared prosperity and peace.

“As I see the world in the 21st century, there will be two very fiercely fought wars – one is a war for prosperity and a better life, and the other is a war for talent and security. We can win both these wars with a comprehensive India-US partnership," he added.

The Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) established the Othmer Gold Medal in 1997 to honour outstanding individuals who have made multifaceted contributions to the world's chemical and scientific heritage through outstanding activity in such areas as innovation, entrepreneurship, research, education, public understanding, legislation, or philanthropy.

The medal commemorates Donald Othmer (1904–1995), noted researcher, consultant, editor, engineer, inventor, philanthropist, professor, and co-editor of the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology.

The medal is presented annually and co-sponsored by the CHF and its four affiliated organisations: the American Chemical Society (ACS), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), The Chemists’ Club, and the Société de Chimie Industrielle (American Section).

NNN