Shloka Mehta, philanthropist and daughter-in-law of Mukesh and Nita Ambani, in a recent heartfelt conversation with influencer Masoom Minawala, opened up about balancing motherhood, ambition, and her passion for social impact through her non-profit organisation ConnectFor. Joining her in the conversation was her co-founder, Maniti Shah.
The interview, released on Masoom Minawala’s YouTube channel on July 18, gave a glimpse into Shloka’s personal philosophy and the drive behind her work in philanthropy. Launched in December 2015, ConnectFor is a volunteer platform that connects people with NGOs in need of their skills and time. The platform aims to make volunteering more accessible and impactful across India.
Building a legacy for her children
When asked how she manages her work while raising a family, Shloka responded with deep emotion and clarity. She spoke about how her work with ConnectFor is not just a professional mission, but a personal one, rooted in what she hopes to leave behind for her two children, Prithvi Akash Ambani and Veda Ambani, whom she shares with husband Akash Ambani.
“Not that I need you [my children] to work in the social space. But more than that, it doesn’t matter how niche something feels. If you feel strongly about something, you will make opportunities happen,” she explained.
For Shloka, her children must see her following her passion with purpose. “I take real pride in telling my kids that ‘Mumma has to go to the office, you are going to school, we are all doing things to make ourselves better,’” she added. She believes this daily example teaches them the value of commitment, hard work, and believing in one’s mission.
Shloka also emphasised the importance of being aware of the world around us. “You need to think, ‘What can I do for it?’” she said. “I think that’s the best legacy you can leave behind for your kids.” Her hope is that her children, nieces, and nephews grow up knowing that any career path is valid, whether it’s earning money, taking time to build something meaningful, or choosing to give back.
‘Surviving is my biggest win’
Shloka also reflected on the early challenges of running a non-profit and what she considers her biggest achievement so far. “My biggest win? Surviving,” she said. “None of this would have been possible if our families weren’t supportive, if they didn’t believe in us as much as we did,” she shared.
She credited her and Maniti Shah’s parents and husbands for their constant encouragement. “Our parents, our husbands take great pride, saying, ‘This is what my wife does.’ It’s been really lucky,” Shloka said.
Support from her husband, Akash Ambani, has also played a key role in her journey. Shloka mentioned that his pride in her work gives her a sense of validation and strength to keep going, even when things get tough.
Shloka also explained how women are increasingly taking the lead in building meaningful social impact ventures, and how important it is for society to recognise and support that work.
She believes that purpose-driven work doesn’t always have to look like a traditional job. “It’s okay to do a job, make lots of money, or build something that takes a lot of time,” she said. “But you need to believe that you’re building something of value.”
Shloka ended the interview with a powerful reminder that following one’s passion, with heart and purpose, can be one of the most inspiring messages you pass on to the next generation.
