Born to a school teacher in a Modh Family, Dhirubhai Ambani has been considered as one of the most successful Businessmen in India. His rags-to-riches story is an inspiration to the budding entrepreneurs, besides being a business tycoon; Dhirubhai has many other aspects to be unexplored. Here are some of the interesting facts about this business magnate of India:
image: bignewslive.com
1. Born to a School Teacher!
He was born as Dhirajlal to a Modh family in a small town Chorwad in Junagadh city of Gujarat. His father was a school teacher.
source: rediff.com
2. His first entrepreneurship!
He started his first entrepreneurship by selling chaat-pakoda to pilgrims at Mount Girnar in Gujarat.
source: bigdreamdhirubhaiambani.blogspot.in
3. His education!
Most of the modern days businessmen have heavy degrees with them, but do you know about the qualification of this biggest business tycoon of India? It’s 10th standard only!
source: wikipedia
4. His 1st foreign trip!
At the age of 16, he made his first foreign trip in 1955 to Aden in Yemen as he left his home to join his brother- Ramniklal.
source: rediff.com
5. His 1st Job!
While in Aden, his 1st job was that of a gas-station attendant.
source: bigdreamdhirubhaiambani.blogspot.in
6. His first salary!
In the mid-1950s, he worked with A. Besse & Co (Antonin Besse) in Aden for a salary of 300 INRs.
source: bigdreamdhirubhaiambani.blogspot.in
7. When he founded Reliance!
He co-founded a company- Reliance Commercial Corporation along with his brother- Champaklal Damani in 1960.
source: wikipedia, image: slidesharecdn.com
8. His 1st office!
His first office was a 350 Sq. Ft. room at the Narsinathan Street in Masjid Bunder, Mumbai. The office had 2 tables, 1 telephone and 3 chairs.
source: nytimes.com, image: nyt.com
9. Naming and Renaming!
His company was named and renamed often. First, he named his company as Reliance Commercial Corporation then renamed it as Reliance Textiles Pvt. Limited and finally to Reliance Industries Limited.
source: wikipedia
10. Vimal Textiles!
He expanded his company’s business to textiles in 1968 with the brand name- Vimal.
source: wikipedia, image: ndtv.com
11. Led Reliance to the International Platform
With his diligence and perseverance, Reliance became an international conglomerate and also earned the status of first Indian Private company to be rated by international credit rating agencies like S&P, Moody’s, etc in 1996.
source: wikipedia
12. His unauthorized biography!
His unauthorized biography- The Polyester Prince by Hamish McDonald was published in 1998 but was not allowed for sale due to the legal threats by the Ambanis.
source: wikipedia, image: bibliotecaraycuriel.com
13. His demise!
On 24 June 2002, he suffered a 2nd major stroke (1st one was in 1986, which paralyzed his right limb) and was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. On 6 July 2002, he died after being in a coma for more than a week.
source: wikipedia, image: obituarytoday.com
14. A Film on Dhirubhai!
On 12 January 2007, a Hindi Film– Guru by Mani Ratnam was released, which was loosely based on his life. His role was played by Abhishek Bachchan in the film.
source: rediff.com, image: plugdaily.com
15. 2nd Highest Civilian Award!
In 2016, Indian Government honored him posthumously with the 2nd highest civilian award of India- Padma Vibhushan.
source: wikipedia
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