Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant pre-wedding: Why the families chose Jamnagar as the venue

Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, who are set to tie the knot this year, will be hosting a three-day pre-wedding gala starting March 1 at the Ambani residence in Jamnagar, Gujarat. In an exclusive chat with Anuj Singhal of CNBC Awaaz, Anant Ambani, Director at Reliance Industries, discussed the reasons behind choosing Jamnagar as the wedding venue.

“My grandmother is from Jamnagar. My mother has built the whole city. They have built the whole thing brick by brick. I have spent a lot of time here as a child. Mumbai is my home, but my heart is in Jamnagar. My parents and grandmother also suggested that we pick Jamnagar as the venue. It also gives me an opportunity to celebrate with my colleagues, and the other people I work with,” Anant said.

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Anant Ambani also shared details about Vantara, a first-of-its-kind animal welfare initiative in India, conceptualised under his leadership. Vantara (Star of the Forest) programme is an umbrella initiative launched by RIL and Reliance Foundation to focus on rescue, treatment, care and rehabilitation of injured, abused and threatened animals, both in India and abroad. Spread over 3,000 acres within the Green Belt of Reliance’s Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Gujarat, Vantara aims to be one of the leading contributors to conservation efforts globally.

"Some of India’s and the world’s top zoological and medical experts have joined our mission and we have been blessed to receive active collaborations and guidance of government bodies, research and educational institutions. Vantara aims to partner with the Zoo Authority of India and other relevant government organisations in improving all the 150-plus zoos in India in terms of training, capacity building and animal care infrastructure,” he said.

Anant Ambani is the youngest son of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, the Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation. Radhika is the younger daughter of Viren Merchant, the CEO of Encore Healthcare, and entrepreneur Shaila Merchant.

Anant and Radhika, who have been childhood friends, got engaged in a traditional roka ceremony performed at the Shrinathji Temple at Nathdwara in Rajasthan in December 2022. Their Gol Dhana ceremony took place on January 19, 2023.

Also Read | 'It's not for profit, it’s in the service of animals,' says Anant Ambani on new animal welfare initiative

For the entire interview, watch the accompanying video