Hyderabad – In a significant boost to education and skills development in Telangana, Gautam Adani, chairperson of the Adani Group, has pledged a generous donation of Rs 100 crores to the upcoming Young India Skill University. This announcement came during a meeting with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, marking a collaboration that underscores a mutually beneficial relationship between the state government and the prominent conglomerate. In a post shared on social media, Chief Minister Reddy highlighted Adani’s commitment to supporting various government initiatives, stating, “Privileged to contribute to the transformative vision and inspiring leadership of @TelanganaCMO Revanth Reddy with the Young India Skills University initiative.” Adani emphasized, “Together, we are not just shaping the future of our youth.
We are unlocking the boundless potential for a brighter, more prosperous India.” The Young India Skill University is envisioned as a public-private partnership aimed at equipping students with the necessary skills to meet industry demands. The Telangana Assembly approved the Young India Skill University Telangana (Public-Private Partnership) Bill-2024 earlier this year, outlining plans for industry partnerships, including a significant collaboration with Adani Logistics. As part of the university’s establishment, the School of E-commerce and Logistics will be developed in partnership with Adani Logistics and O9 Solutions. These companies will play a crucial role in designing the curriculum and providing training to students, ultimately aiding in job placements within their respective sectors. The university is set to launch its first courses on November 4, 2023, with initial programs being conducted at the Engineering Staff College of India (ESCI) and the National Academy of Construction campuses in Hyderabad. The initiative aims to train 2,000 youth in its inaugural year and will operate under the guidance of a board led by esteemed industrialist Anand Mahindra.
While the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government appears to maintain a friendlier relationship with the Adani Group, this stance is notably different from the party’s national leadership, which has been critical of perceived crony capitalism associated with the Adani brand. Amid ongoing controversies involving the Adani Group, including scrutiny from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regarding stock manipulation, the contrasting approaches of state and national leadership raise questions about the Congress party's internal dynamics. Recently, the Adani Group has garnered attention for its partnership with the Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) to facilitate electricity bill collections in Hyderabad, a move that has sparked discussions about revenue allocation between the state and the conglomerate. As the Young India Skill University prepares to launch its educational programs, the collaboration between Adani and the Telangana government stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of industrial partnerships aimed at fostering skill development and economic growth in the region.