Baramati, Maharashtra Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, on Sunday publicly described Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar as his “mentor”, commending his enduring influence on India’s rural economy and agricultural development. Speaking at the inauguration of the Sharadchandra Pawar Centre for Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Adani underscored the centre as a hub for technology-driven solutions aimed at sustainable rural development and innovation in agriculture.
The event, held at Vidya Pratishthan in Baramati, drew prominent political and business figures including NCP deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, MP Supriya Sule, and MP Sunetra Pawar. Supriya Sule referred to Adani as her “elder brother”, highlighting personal rapport spanning decades. Adani, noting his three-decade-long association with Sharad Pawar, said the leader’s public life reflected a consistent balance between local realities and national priorities, particularly in agriculture, food security, and cooperative sectors. During the programme, an MoU was signed between the educational trust Vidya Pratishthan and the Adani Group, facilitating research, development initiatives, and placement opportunities in alignment with the AI centre’s mandate. The facility is envisioned as a focal point for technology-led innovation targeting rural and agricultural challenges, consistent with Maharashtra’s broader agenda for sustainable urban and rural integration.
Observers noted that the event also occurred amid ongoing political speculation regarding reconciliation or strategic alignment between factions within the NCP. However, officials emphasized that Adani’s involvement was primarily in the capacity of a business and technology partner rather than a political participant. The personal and professional ties between Pawar and Adani were highlighted as central to the collaboration. The visit was marked by notable family participation; Gautam Adani and Priti Adani were received by members of the Pawar family, and travelled with Ajit Pawar in a convoy that included Rohit Pawar driving. The board of Vidya Pratishthan includes several Pawar family members, reinforcing the integration of leadership and oversight in the trust’s activities. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut raised questions about Adani’s presence in Baramati, citing alleged associations of the family in political manoeuvres. Analysts and industry experts, however, stressed the importance of separating personal networks and professional collaborations from partisan politics, particularly in initiatives aiming at technology deployment for sustainable rural development.
The inauguration underscores the growing interface between private sector technology groups and regional educational institutions, with an emphasis on AI applications in rural and agricultural planning. Stakeholders noted that such partnerships, if structured transparently, could accelerate innovation while fostering equitable access to technology in non-urban communities, aligning with India’s long-term sustainability objectives.
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Maharashtra Baramati Event Marks Collaboration Between Adani Pawar
