I started my career sorting diamonds in Mumbai: Gautam Adani

Kharagpur, West Bengal: Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani shared insights from his early career with students at IIT Kharagpur, emphasizing the life lessons he learned while trading diamonds in Mumbai.

Recalling his first job sorting diamonds, Adani said, “Before long, I was trading in diamonds. That is where my real education began.” He highlighted that trading taught him that loss is not the true enemy; hesitation is. Only those who are free-minded and willing to embrace uncertainty can succeed in high-stakes environments.

Adani explained that effective traders learn to take calculated risks, make rapid decisions, and stay comfortable with incomplete information. “The deeper lesson I learned is that losses are inevitable, but hesitation can paralyse opportunity. Embracing risk and moving decisively is what defines success,” he said.

He urged students to apply these principles beyond trading, especially in technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership. In today’s fast-evolving world, the ability to act confidently amidst uncertainty is a critical skill, he noted.

Adani concluded by encouraging students to cultivate courage, adaptability, and a free-thinking mindset. “Whether in business, technology, or life, those who learn to navigate risk and uncertainty will thrive. The real education begins when you step into the unknown,” he said.