‘Give your children roots, then give them wings’:Anil Agarwal eyes massive growth in 5 years, lists 4 companies in India

The Vedanta Group has taken the biggest decision of its history by demerging its four major businesses. Group’s four companies: Vedanta Aluminium, Vedanta Oil Gas, Vedanta Iron Steel, and Vedanta Power were listed separately in India on Monday. Following the listing, their combined market value increased by ₹49,000 crore, reaching ₹3.52 lakh crore. In an exclusive interview with Bhaskar, Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal explained the vision behind this decision, the employment opportunities it could create after 13 years, and why the country needs to change its mindset toward women. When asked about the decision to split the companies and what is most important for growth, Anil Agarwal said, “Young people should not be misled. At the beginning of their careers, a job is extremely important because it helps them learn how the business works. They should work for an entrepreneur-led, publicly listed company, gain experience, and then move ahead.” He also mentioned, “A laptop is a window to the world, so young people should learn AI. If they enter manufacturing startups after gaining experience, the chances of failure are much lower.” ‘Women make up 50% of our workforce, and growth is higher wherever they work’, says Agarwal The Vedanta Group chairman also said, “Parents should encourage their daughters to move forward because they often perform even better than boys. Earlier, women were not allowed to work in mining and rescue operations, but we obtained government approval to change that. Today, women make up 50% of our workforce, and we have seen faster growth wherever they have a stronger presence.” “Whether it’s a daughter or a daughter-in-law, every woman should be involved in some creative work that helps her develop skills and earn an income. Women think differently, and that diversity has contributed significantly to our growth. Another major driver of our growth has been artificial intelligence (AI)” said Agarwal. Why did you decide to demerge the companies after nearly 13 years?, questioned Bhaskar While answering this, Anil Agarwal mentioned, “When children become adults, they should be given independence. Our businesses have grown strong enough to succeed on their own and become much bigger organizations. The main objective is self-reliance. He also stated, “For years, foreign powers turned India into an import-dependent market, even though our country has abundant natural resources. The demerger will give each business its own identity and the freedom to grow faster.” What is the roadmap for the next 5 years and employment generation? “Our goal is for each company to achieve a $100 billion valuation (around ₹9.45 lakh crore) within the next five years,” said Agarwal. He also mentioned important information about India’s mining industry. He claimed that India’s aluminium, zinc, iron steel, and power sectors are growing at 11–15% annually. As these businesses expand, many downstream manufacturing units will be established, creating 2–3 lakh new jobs across the country. ‘Our coal has one of the lowest sulfur contents in the world,’ claims Agarwal While elaborating on his plans for the power sector, Agrawal mentioned, “We are now entering the nuclear power sector by using India’s abundant thorium reserves. We plan to build 20,000 MW of nuclear power capacity, which could generate about 25% of the country’s electricity. We already have brownfield locations in several states, but their names will be announced only after receiving final approvals.” During the interview, the Vedanta group chairman claimed that India’s natural resources are being underutilised and said, “I have been practising geology for the last 40 years, and I believe India is truly blessed with abundant natural resources beneath its soil. History shows that India was once known as the ‘Golden Bird’, which attracted foreign invaders.” “Over the past few decades, foreign powers discouraged India from using its own resources in the name of environmental concerns, turning the country into an importer of oil, gold, silver, and copper. We need to change this mindset and fully utilise our own natural wealth,” he mentioned. How do global geopolitical tensions affect your business? India’s biggest strength is its 1.5 billion-strong domestic market. Unlike the US or Europe, which depend heavily on exports, India has a massive consumer base at home. The country should become at least 50–60% self-reliant in energy, including petrol, diesel, and electricity, so that global disruptions have a much smaller impact. Any advice to young people on values and lifestyle, asks Bhaskar “India’s cultural values and family traditions are among the best in the world, and they should be preserved. Young people should avoid chasing luxury homes or status symbols, as they often create unnecessary competition and jealousy. Live a simple life but think big. Use your phone and laptop not just for entertainment but also for learning new skills and building your career,” said Vedanta group chairman Agarwal. What inspires you to make bold decisions even today? My roots are connected to both Rajasthan and Bihar. Bihar is the land of Chandragupta Maurya, Chanakya, Ashoka, and Jayaprakash Narayan, and its people have a natural ability to make bold, decisive decisions. I have lost my son, and today I consider the whole of India to be my family. I am building Vedanta to last for the next 500 years. Around 2 lakh people work with us, and everyone knows that if any activity is not in society’s interest, Vedanta will never do it. Always work with honesty, integrity, and a positive mindset; God will support you.