From orchestrating sanitation drives during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj to joining the chariot pulling in Puri, Gautam Adanis 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—its 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 28 June, the second day of the nine-day festival. Dressed in traditional attire, barefoot and unassuming, Mr. 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 5 July. 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. Mr. Adanis participation was deeply symbolic. It marked a convergence of Indias 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. From coordinating with local teams to aid sanitation drives, to facilitating medical assistance for devotees, Mr. Adanis presence underscored his commitment to holistic seva—not as a photo opportunity, but as a lived value that embodies his eponymous Groups motto of growth with goodness. This was not an isolated gesture. It builds upon the Adani Groups 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 Indias public life. In an age where power is often displayed through optics, Mr. Adanis quiet seva during the Rath Yatra stood out as a rare act of devotion-led leadership. It reminded the world that humility, when practiced with sincerity, becomes transformative. As the chariots of the deities rolled forward through a sea of faith, one of Indias 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 21 January, Mr. Adani personally took part in seva at the mela, underscoring the Groups message that social service is not a sideline activity but a central value. Puri was a continuation of that overarching sentiment—where corporate capability met spiritual humility. Headline: Lighting Lives in Odisha: How Adani Foundation is Powering Growth with Goodness Education Support: Infrastructure and quality education enhancements in government schools across districts. Digital learning tools, scholarships, and remedial classes for students in rural belts.  Healthcare Outreach: Mobile Health Units regularly serve remote tribal villages with basic medical care. Specialised health camps for women and children in underserved areas.  Livelihood Empowerment: Skill development programmes for youth and women in tailoring, farming, and fisheries. Promotion of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to boost womens income generation. Tribal Upliftment Initiatives: Focused interventions in tribal-dominated districts such as Dhamra and Rayagada. Cultural preservation efforts and community-led development models. Community Infrastructure: Development of sanitation facilities, solar street lighting, and drinking water systems. Renovation of village schools and community centres. Sustainable Development: Plantation drives under the Green Odisha campaign. Water conservation through pond rejuvenation and rainwater harvesting. Disaster Relief and Preparedness: Active support during cyclones with emergency supplies, shelter, and rehabilitation Collaborations with local administration for disaster readiness training Support during Rath Yatra: Providing free, nutritious meals for pilgrims and officials, sanitation campaigns, health booths, and logistical assistance. Volunteering and seva activities during the nine-day festival.

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