Latest news with #Dhirubhai
India.com
17-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Inside Mukesh Ambani's ancestral hone where he grew up, it is worth Rs..., the name is...
Long before the towering Antilia became a symbol of luxury in Mumbai, and before Mukesh Ambani became a household name for his unimaginable wealth, there was a small seaside village called Chorwad in Gujarat. This quiet town in Junagadh district is where the story of the Ambani family truly began which was far from glass elevators, helipads, or snow rooms. In this peaceful village stands a house, which is over 100-years-old, that holds memories, dreams, and the modest beginnings of India's richest family. It's not just a building, but a part of history and surprisingly, you can step into this piece of the Ambani legacy by paying just Rs. 2. Mangarolvalano Delo Hidden in the narrow lanes of Chorwad is Mangarolvalano Delo, the ancestral home of the Ambanis. Spread across 1.2 acres, this two-floor house still carries the charm of old Gujarat. It has everything one would expect in a traditional home i.e. an open courtyards, long verandas, a lush garden in the center, and finely carved wooden windows. This home once belonged to Hirachand Gordhanbhai Ambani, father of the legendary Dhirubhai Ambani, who later went on to change the face of Indian business. Dhirubhai left this home at just 16 years old and went to Yemen seeking business opportunities. His journey marked the beginning of one of India's most powerful business empires. Beyond price tag The home in Chorwad is estimated to be worth Rs. 100 crore today. Though this house doesn't boast the flashiness of skyscrapers or robotic parking garages, its value isn't in showy luxury but what it represents: legacy, roots, and a journey that changed the face of Indian business. Interestingly, the Ambanis purchased the property in 2002, just after the passing of Dhirubhai Ambani. Prior to that, parts of the house had been rented by the family since the early 1900s. The Dhirubhai Ambani Memorial House In 2011, the house underwent a major transformation. No longer just a family home, it became a memorial. Now known as the Dhirubhai Ambani Memorial House, it stands as a tribute to the man who went from humble beginnings to creating one of India's biggest business empires. The estate is divided into two areas: One remains private, still visited by Kokilaben Ambani, Dhirubhai's widow. The other is open to the public, a museum where visitors can walk through rooms filled with old photographs, awards, handwritten notes, and personal items that tell the story of Dhirubhai's life. The renovation was handled by Amitabh Teaotia Designs, a well-known firm that carefully blended modern utilities like solar lighting and eco-friendly water systems with the home's original charm. Classic teak wood beams, antique furniture, and vintage decor are still intact. Want to visit? It'll cost you just Rs. 2 Yes, just Rs. 2 is all it takes to step inside a space filled with ambition, struggle, and extraordinary success. The home is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am to 6 pm, and closed on Mondays and public holidays. Inside, visitors can pick up books on Dhirubhai's journey, and buy souvenirs from a small on-site store.
India.com
25-04-2025
- Business
- India.com
Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani's father Dhirubhai Ambani borrowed Reliance name from…, started company with this product, not oil, retail or telecommunication
If Dhirubhai Ambani were alive today, he would have been 92 years old. Born on 28th December 1932, he is remembered as a visionary entrepreneur who transformed the way business is done in India. His journey to success was anything but easy. Through innovative strategies and sheer determination, he rose to become one of the wealthiest individuals in the country. Dhirubhai started his career with just Rs 200, but through his hard work and smart planning, he built Reliance Industries, one of India's biggest business empires. By the time of his passing in 2002, Reliance was worth around Rs 62,000 crore. A tough beginning Dhirubhai was born in Chorwad, a small village in Gujarat, to Hirachand Gordhanbhai Ambani, a school teacher. He was the third son in the family. Due to financial hardship, he could only study up to high school. To support his family, he began doing small jobs. However, life had much bigger things in store for him. Yemen chapter: The turning point In 1949, at the age of 17, Dhirubhai took a ship named Kabota and traveled to Aden in Yemen, where his elder brother Ramniklal was already working. There, he joined A. Besse & Co., a firm dealing in petroleum products, earning Rs 200 per month. He started by working at a petrol station. Within two years, when the company became a distributor for Shell, he was promoted to manager at the company's filling station at the Aden port. But Dhirubhai had bigger dreams. In 1954, he decided to return to India and start something of his own. The new beginning Inspired during his stay in Yemen, Dhirubhai dreamt of making it big. A year after coming back to India, he moved to Mumbai. He had only Rs 500 in his pocket when he left home, but what he lacked in money, he made up for with courage and ambition. This marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey in Mumbai. At that time, polyester was in high demand in India, while Indian spices had a strong market abroad. With just a 350-square-foot room, one desk, three chairs, two employees, and a single telephone, Dhirubhai laid the foundation of his first company—Reliance Commercial Corporation. The business model was simple but smart. He exported Indian spices overseas and imported polyester yarn into India. This import-export business laid the groundwork for what would later grow into a massive industrial empire. How the name 'Reliance' was borrowed Interestingly, even the name 'Reliance' wasn't originally his idea. Dhirubhai borrowed it from a close friend in Yemen named Pravinbhai Thakkar. In a 2002 interview, Pravinbhai shared that he had started a store in 1953 called 'Reliance Store' after getting dealership rights for Rolex and Canon. The store did well, and soon he owned a Mercedes-Benz. Seeing this, Dhirubhai approached him and said, 'I really like the name Reliance. It builds trust. And just look at how lucky it's been for you—you now drive a Mercedes. I think it's a lucky name. Will you give it to me?' Pravin agreed. A few months later, Dhirubhai got married and returned to India with savings of USD 3,000. Using that money, he started his company under the name Reliance. Later, during a shareholder meeting in Rajkot in 1977, Dhirubhai openly acknowledged that he had borrowed the name from his friend who had become successful in South Yemen running the original Reliance store.
India.com
23-04-2025
- Business
- India.com
How much wealth did Dhirubhai Ambani leave behind for Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani? Here's what led to division of Reliance business empire
How much wealth did Dhirubhai Ambani leave behind for Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani? Here's what led to division of Reliance business empire December 28, marks the birth anniversary of Dhirubhai Ambani, the legendary founder of Reliance Industries, India's largest company. Born into a modest family in Gujarat, Dhirubhai's journey to the top of India's business world was anything but easy. Due to financial hardships, he had to discontinue his studies after matriculation. At a young age, he moved to Yemen where he worked at a petrol pump. After returning to India, he began the Reliance journey from a rented house in Mumbai, initially venturing into the textile business. With vision and persistence, he gradually expanded into petrochemicals, refining, telecom, and several other industries, transforming Reliance into a massive conglomerate. But the question that often arises is — how much wealth did Dhirubhai Ambani leave behind when he passed away in 2002? At the time of his death, Dhirubhai did not leave behind a formal will. His wealth, however, was immense — though exact numbers are not officially disclosed, estimates suggest that Reliance was worth several thousand crores. The lack of a clear succession plan eventually led to a division of the Reliance empire between his sons — Mukesh and Anil Ambani — in 2005, mediated by their mother, Kokilaben Ambani. Mukesh Ambani took control of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), which included oil, gas, petrochemicals, and later, telecom, while Anil Ambani got Reliance Communications, Reliance Capital, Reliance Power, and others. Today, Mukesh Ambani is among the richest people in the world, with a net worth of 9,790 crores USD, while Anil's financial journey has seen ups and downs. Key facts about Dhirubhai Ambani's life Born on December 28, 1932, in Chorwad village, Gujarat, Dhirubhai Ambani came from a humble background. He began his career working at a petrol pump in Yemen and returned to India in 1958 to start his own business. In 1966, he founded Reliance Commercial Corporation, which eventually grew into Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) — one of India's largest business empires. Dhirubhai played a pioneering role in shaping India's capital markets. His efforts helped popularize equity investing among the Indian middle class. In 1977, Reliance became the first Indian private company to be listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange. What started as a textile business soon expanded into petrochemicals, refining, oil & gas, telecom, and many other sectors — transforming Reliance into a diversified conglomerate. A true believer in entrepreneurship, Dhirubhai encouraged ordinary Indians to participate in the country's economic growth by investing in stocks. His strategic thinking, ability to raise capital, and vision made him a game-changer in Indian business history. Despite facing criticism and controversies, his influence, success, and wealth cemented his status as one of India's most iconic and impactful business figures. Even today, Dhirubhai's journey continues to inspire entrepreneurs across the nation, proving that strong vision and relentless grit can overcome any odds. How much wealth did Dhirubhai Ambani leave behind? Dhirubhai Ambani was one of India's wealthiest businessmen of his time. When he passed away in 2002, he wasn't just a household name—he was a global figure in the world of business. According to Forbes, at the time of his death, Dhirubhai Ambani ranked as the 138th richest man in the world, with a personal net worth of USD 2.9 billion. If we adjust that amount to today's value in Indian currency, it would be worth more than Rs. 24,000 crore. But the wealth he left behind was more than just money. It was a legacy. Dhirubhai was the founder of Reliance Industries, a company he started in the late 1950s from a small room in Mumbai. At the time of his death, Reliance was already valued at around Rs. 60,000 crore—a massive figure back then. Today, Reliance Industries is worth over Rs. 17.5 lakh crore, making it India's most valuable company. He came from humble beginnings, born in a small village in Gujarat. He didn't inherit wealth or business empires, he built everything from scratch. He once worked at a petrol pump in Yemen before returning to India to start something of his own. From trading textiles to setting up one of the largest petrochemical and telecom giants in the world, Dhirubhai's journey is the stuff of legend.
India.com
23-04-2025
- Business
- India.com
How much wealth did Dhirubhai Ambani left behind for Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani? Here's what led to division of Reliance business empire
How much wealth did Dhirubhai Ambani left behind for Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani? Here's what led to division of Reliance business empire December 28, marks the birth anniversary of Dhirubhai Ambani, the legendary founder of Reliance Industries, India's largest company. Born into a modest family in Gujarat, Dhirubhai's journey to the top of India's business world was anything but easy. Due to financial hardships, he had to discontinue his studies after matriculation. At a young age, he moved to Yemen where he worked at a petrol pump. After returning to India, he began the Reliance journey from a rented house in Mumbai, initially venturing into the textile business. With vision and persistence, he gradually expanded into petrochemicals, refining, telecom, and several other industries, transforming Reliance into a massive conglomerate. But the question that often arises is — how much wealth did Dhirubhai Ambani leave behind when he passed away in 2002? At the time of his death, Dhirubhai did not leave behind a formal will. His wealth, however, was immense — though exact numbers are not officially disclosed, estimates suggest that Reliance was worth several thousand crores. The lack of a clear succession plan eventually led to a division of the Reliance empire between his sons — Mukesh and Anil Ambani — in 2005, mediated by their mother, Kokilaben Ambani. Mukesh Ambani took control of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), which included oil, gas, petrochemicals, and later, telecom, while Anil Ambani got Reliance Communications, Reliance Capital, Reliance Power, and others. Today, Mukesh Ambani is among the richest people in the world, with a net worth of 9,790 crores USD, while Anil's financial journey has seen ups and downs. Key facts about Dhirubhai Ambani's life Born on December 28, 1932, in Chorwad village, Gujarat, Dhirubhai Ambani came from a humble background. He began his career working at a petrol pump in Yemen and returned to India in 1958 to start his own business. In 1966, he founded Reliance Commercial Corporation, which eventually grew into Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) — one of India's largest business empires. Dhirubhai played a pioneering role in shaping India's capital markets. His efforts helped popularize equity investing among the Indian middle class. In 1977, Reliance became the first Indian private company to be listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange. What started as a textile business soon expanded into petrochemicals, refining, oil & gas, telecom, and many other sectors — transforming Reliance into a diversified conglomerate. A true believer in entrepreneurship, Dhirubhai encouraged ordinary Indians to participate in the country's economic growth by investing in stocks. His strategic thinking, ability to raise capital, and vision made him a game-changer in Indian business history. Despite facing criticism and controversies, his influence, success, and wealth cemented his status as one of India's most iconic and impactful business figures. Even today, Dhirubhai's journey continues to inspire entrepreneurs across the nation, proving that strong vision and relentless grit can overcome any odds. How much wealth did Dhirubhai Ambani leave behind? Dhirubhai Ambani was one of India's wealthiest businessmen of his time. When he passed away in 2002, he wasn't just a household name—he was a global figure in the world of business. According to Forbes, at the time of his death, Dhirubhai Ambani ranked as the 138th richest man in the world, with a personal net worth of USD 2.9 billion. If we adjust that amount to today's value in Indian currency, it would be worth more than Rs. 24,000 crore. But the wealth he left behind was more than just money. It was a legacy. Dhirubhai was the founder of Reliance Industries, a company he started in the late 1950s from a small room in Mumbai. At the time of his death, Reliance was already valued at around Rs. 60,000 crore—a massive figure back then. Today, Reliance Industries is worth over Rs. 17.5 lakh crore, making it India's most valuable company. He came from humble beginnings, born in a small village in Gujarat. He didn't inherit wealth or business empires, he built everything from scratch. He once worked at a petrol pump in Yemen before returning to India to start something of his own. From trading textiles to setting up one of the largest petrochemical and telecom giants in the world, Dhirubhai's journey is the stuff of legend.
