Born into a middle-class family, the late business tycoon's journey is an inspiration for every aspiring entrepreneur.
"Think big, think fast, think ahead. Ideas are no one's monopoly." - Dhirubhai Ambani.
Dhirubhai Ambani was a legend; a storm that swept through India's business landscape during the 20th century, taking it to greater heights. His incredible journey, from a humble beginning to the pinnacle of success, was akin to a rollercoaster ride that continues to influence everyone who dreams big and out of the box. And the legacy he left behind continues to gleam in the tapestry of industrialization in India.
Born on December 28, 1932, Ambani wasn’t born with a silver spoon, and yet had dreams that often seemed unachievable. He did not have enough capital in the beginning to turn his dreams a reality, but what he had was where others faltered at that time; vision. With audacious ambition, unyielding spirit, and unshakable determination, he commenced his voyage, defied every constraint that came his path, and reached the greatest heights of success in his field. And it was not all about his personal gain, as his success contributed enormously to India's economic progress, and everyone who had the privilege of crossing paths with him was propelled towards excellence.
(Credit: ambanifamily)
The late businessman founded the Reliance Industries in 1958, which is currently the largest public company in India by market capitalization and revenue, and the 100th largest company worldwide. Today, on the occasion of his 91st birth anniversary, we share an interesting fact about him that you probably did not know.
Born into a middle-class family, Dhirubhai Ambani couldn't continue his studies after 10th standard. He recognized his knack for entrepreneurship at an early age, and so, started his journey by selling chaat-pakodas to the pilgrims at Mount Girnar in Gujarat.
(Credit: brut.india)
However, destiny had better plans for him!
Ambani founded the Reliance Industries in 1958 as a small firm (knownn as Reliance Commercial Corporation) to trade spices and polyester yarn. In 1966, he registered Reliance Textiles Industries Pvt. Ltd. officially and also established a synthetic fabrics mill under the company in Gujarat. He started expanding his business across the country, and later in several parts of the world as well.
During the late 80s and early 90s, he successfully expanded the company's capacity for producing polyester yarn by over 145,000 tonnes per annum. In 1996, it became India's first private sector company to be rated by international credit rating agencies. The same year, it entered the telecom industry and promoted Reliance Telecom Private Limited in India.
(Credit: etpanache)
By the early 2000s, Reliance Industries Ltd. became the largest company (in terms of finance) in India and started venturing into several other sectors like oil, gas, power generation and distribution, financial services, retail, mass media, and more. Now, it accounts for 7% of India's total merchandise exports.
The Reliance Commercial Corporation's first office was set up in Masjid Bunder on Narsinatha Street. It was a 350 square feet room with one table, three chairs, and one telephone.
He made his first foreign trip in 1955, at the age of 16, to Aden in Yemen. He worked as a gas station attendant there for a salary of Rs. 300 per month.
He started his textile business in partnership with his cousin Champaklal Damani.
Throughout his career, he often faced accusatiions of market manipulation, tax evasion, and cronyism.
He received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor, posthumously in 2016, for his contributions to trade and industry.
