"Itihas Mat Bulo…Bhavishya Kamaya Jaata Hai": Adani Warns Against Letting Others Write India’s Story

Speaking at IIT Dhanbad, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani delivered a powerful address on India’s place in a turbulent and shifting geopolitical order. He said no global alliance is permanent, clean, or unconditional, and warned that influence can quickly turn into power and power, he noted, always seizes control of the narrative. Adani urged students to shape India’s future sovereignty through what they create and build, declaring, “Itihas mat bulo… bhavishya kamaya jaata hai.” Calling today’s era one of “narrative colonization,” he criticised Western nations that historically exploited the world yet now dictate how India should grow. He argued that if India does not control its own narrative, its development will be criminalised and its aspirations delegitimised. Citing COP30’s downgrade of India’s sustainability ranking, he countered with data showing India’s low per-capita energy use and emissions, emphasizing that today’s ESG models often unfairly penalise developing nations.