Shri Dhirubhai Ambani was an exceptional human being and an
outstanding leader. A man far ahead of his times, he epitomised the
dauntless entrepreneurial spirit. He dared to dream on a scale
unimaginable before in Indian industry. His life and achievements prove
that backed by confidence, courage and conviction, man can achieve the
impossible.
From a humble beginning, he went on to create an enviable business
empire within a span of just 25 years. The US$ 125 billion Reliance
Group is a living testimony to his indomitable will, single-minded
dedication and an unrelenting commitment to his goals.
leadership, the Reliance Group emerged as the largest business
conglomerate in India, and carved out a distinct place for itself in
the global pantheon of corporate giants. The Group's track record of
consistent growth is unparalleled in Indian industry and perhaps
internationally too. Today, the Group's turnover represents nearly 3
percent of India's GDP.
Shri Dhirubhai Ambani was not just firmly rooted in traditional
Indian values, but was also the quintessentially modern man, the man of
the new millennium. This was clearly reflected in his passion for
mega-sized projects, the most advanced technology and the highest level
of productivity. The corporate philosophy he followed was short, simple
and succinct - "Think big. Think differently. Think fast. Think ahead.
Aim for the best".He inspired the Reliance team to do better than the
best - not only in India but in the world.
Prestigious awards and titles were conferred on him by national and
international organisations. He was acclaimed as the top businessman of
the twentieth century and lauded for his dynamic, pioneering and
innovative genius. His success story fired the imagination of the
younger generation of Indian entrepreneurs, business leaders and
progressive companies. He was an icon for them, a role model to be
emulated.
The number of revolutionary precedents set by Shri Dhirubhai Ambani
are legion. His unique vision redefined the potential of the Indian
corporate sector as he challenged conventional wisdom in several areas.
He was probably the first Indian businessman to recognise the
strategic significance of investors and discover the vast untapped
potential of the capital markets and channelise it for the growth and
development of industry. He was supremely confident that finance would
never be a constraint in executing his projects because, as he said
proudly, Indian investors would provide him with the necessary
resources.
And the investors never let him down. Shri Dhirubhai Ambani
succeeded in creating an investor base of historic proportions for the
Reliance Group. An unbreakable bond of implicit trust existed between
him and the shareholders. They placed their savings in his care and he
worked with unflinching sincerity to get them the best returns. He
brought happiness and prosperity into the homes of millions of
investors.
For him, his people were his most important asset. He scouted around
for the best and most talented professionals, nurtured them and
continuously propelled them to aim for still higher goals. These highly
motivated people comprise the core of what he named: "The Reliance
Family".
Shri Dhirubhai Ambani visualised the growth of Reliance as an
integral part of his grand vision for India. He was convinced that
India could become an economic superpower within a short period of time
and wanted Reliance to play an important role in realising this goal.
The Bhagavad Gita states, "The actions of a great man are an
inspiration for others. Whatever he does, becomes a standard for others
to follow." This certainly applies to Shri Dhirubhai Ambani.
We are fortunate to have had a man of Shri Dhirubhai Ambani's
stature in our midst. His sterling leadership qualities, remarkable
foresight, uncompromising pursuit of excellence, humility, prodigious
capacity to motivate and trust people will continue to guide and
inspire future generations at Reliance. We are proud and privileged to
inherit this invaluable legacy.
Truly, men like Shri Dhirubhai Ambani are rare. They come gifted
with the power and the vision to change the destiny of nations, to
alter the course of corporate history. They are the empire builders,
the stuff that legends are made of. The legend called Shri Dhirubhai
Ambani will never die. His spirit will live on forever.