Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson, Reliance Foundation, was honoured by the prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York. This special honour recognises Mrs. Ambani's expansive philanthropic work in the areas of Education, Sports, Healthcare, Rural Transformation, Urban Renewal, Disaster Response, Women Empowerment and Promotion of the Arts. She is the first South Asian to receive this distinguished accolade.
The Met is recognised as one of the most iconic museums in the world. It currently lives in three celebrated sites of the city — The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer, and The Met Cloisters - housing over 5,000 years of art from around the world.
The Met was most impressed by the diversity and scale of the work carried out by Reliance Foundation, led by Mrs. Ambani. The direction she gives the Foundation has helped it to focus its work on sustainable urban and rural transformation as well as healthcare, education, grassroots development through sport, and women empowerment. The Foundation's support of Indian Art and the aim to take it global stems from Mrs. Ambani's personal passion.
Reliance Foundation has benefited over ten million Indians, touching the lives of individuals across more than 10,500 urban areas and villages.
On the honour bestowed on her by The Met, Ambanisaid, "I am delighted and humbled by this honour for our work at Reliance Foundation. It is truly gratifying that our efforts, especially in education, sports, health and rural transformation, are bringing smiles to millions of people. This recognition from a distinguished global institution like The Met is a tribute to our commitment towards sustainable development and social empowerment, and will inspire each one of us at Reliance Foundation to constantly do the best to make the world a better place for the next generation."
Mrs. Ambani's visionary work in developing sports in India was recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which elected her as its first Indian woman member. She is currently the only member from India in the IOC.
The event, hosted by The Met's Multicultural Audience Development Initiative, celebrates The Metropolitan Museum of Art's diverse communities and raises awareness and support for the Audience Development Department. The event is a cornerstone of the Museum's strategic mission to serve the widest possible audience in a spirit of inclusiveness.
