MEDOWE KAPFO
The Embodiment of Enterprise, Determination and Perseverance of the genius minds of extraordinary people and their exceptional thinkings which are beyond the capacity of an average men’s digestion are indeed marvelous and miraculous; for they proved to the world that nothing is impossible when already instilled with a strong desire and ignited within to grab the maximum. And yes, they just did it; for they dared and dreamt. They are ordinary people like us and lead simple life but their thinkings are big and larger than life-size. They think fast but differently and well ahead of their time. This time, yours sincerely, would like to share the life career of the two Indian Business icons of the world that can be compared to as to show that; how it is possible that even a lowly and humble creature like my style of living & struggling conditions; can move the mountains and change the course of human lives with a firmed and fixed determination achieved the impossible.
Coming across the news item; Mukesh Ambani of India Origin as the World Richest Person which appeared on some National papers dated OCT 29 2007 surpassing American Software Czar Bill Gates, Mexican business tycoon Carlos Slim Helu World, and famous investment Guru Warren Buffett, the Bull Run in the stock Market must have been a matter of pride for the whole country or particularly the ambitious entrepreneurs. In comparison, Mukesh Ambani rose to 63.2 billion dollars (Rs 2, 49,108 crores) whereas the network of both Bill Gates and Slim is estimated to be slightly lower at around 62.2 billion dollars each. It is nether the billion dollars nor the popularity of their names that draw my interest; rather it is the philosophies of their genius minds and changing themselves from ordinary to something extra-ordinary really arrested my intuition and draws me closer to their past lives to see; for what and how people like JRD Tata and Dhiru Bhai Ambani the icons of Indian Industrialist; who were plain human once, just like you and me, had been able to proved the world that ‘Impossible is Nothing’ and achieved the ultimate pinnacle with a sheer perseverance and fixed determination. As far as yours faithfully is concerned, they are more than the deserved immortal souls and inspiring forces of India. They deserved the credit for all economical Industrial development of the country advancement. Their stories will remain ever in the hearts of many down the ages and generations to come. Now, let’s listen to the stories these people’s of what their expererinces got to inspire us, in what way it will ignite our minds and how.
1. Dhiru Bhai Ambani
The Legend of Dhiru Bhai Ambani dates back to 1958 when he gave up his Clerical Job in Aden and moved back to Mumbai with a few thousand rupees in his pocket and dreamt to start his own Oil Company. Dhiru Bhai Ambani was born to a School Teacher near Choread near Gujarat in 1932. In the year1949, he went to Aden to work with shell oil agents in Besse Company but Returns to Mumbai after nine years of working; floats Reliance Commercial Corporation with a capital of Rs 15, 000. Export gingers, Turmeric and other spices to West Asia before turning textiles. By 1966 he floats Reliance Textiles on a capital of Rs. 15 Lacs. In the next 40 years, he created a World Petro-Chemical and Energy Company; trail blazed for the whole generation of entrepreneurs and created an equity cult of small investors who had never heard of Dalal Street before. Dhiru Bhai is genius in spotting business opportunities and exploiting of weekly old colleagues. He exhorted them to think big but think fast and think ahead of their time and others. He was embodiment of initiative and determination. He built a solid rock empire, very strong in its fundamentals and would always remain an Icon. Shri Dhiru Bhai’s was an exceptional human being and an outstanding leader. A man far ahead of his time, he epitomized the dauntless entrepreneurial spirit. He dared to dream on a scale unimaginable before the India Industry. His life and achievement proved that backed by confidence, courage and conviction man can achieve the Impossible. From humble beginnings, he built reliance to be India’s largest private sector firm, through sheer perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit. As a true visionary, he revolutionized Indian Capital market and taught business to think. From a humble beginning, He went to create an enviable business empire within a span of just 25 years. The Rs. 60,000 crores reliance Group is a living Testimony to his indomitable with single minded dedication and an unrelenting commitment to his goals. Under Shri Dhiru Bhai Ambani visionary 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 cooperage giants. The Group track record of consistent growth is unparalleled in India Industry and perhaps internationally too. Today, the group’s turnover represents nearly 3% of India’s GDP. Shri Dhiru Bhai Ambani was not just only rooted in traditional Indian Values, but also has the quintessentially modern 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 and simple, “Think Big, Think Differently and Think Fast”. Aim of 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 Organizations. He was acclaimed as a top business man of the twentieth century and lauded for his dynamic pioneering and innovate genius. His Success Story fire the Imagination of the Younger Generations 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 Dhiru Bhai Ambani of the Indian Corporate Sector as he challenged conventional wisdom in several areas. He was probably the first Indian Businessman to recognize the strategic of the investors and discover the vast untapped potentials of the capital markets and channellised it for the growth and development of the Industry. He was supremely confident that Finance would never be constraints in exciting his project because as he said proudly, Indian Investors never let him down. Shri Dhiru Bhai Ambani succeeded in creating an investors base of historic proportions for the Reliance Group. An unbreakable bond of implicit trust existed between him and the shareholders. Thy placed their saving in his car he worked with unflinching seniority to get them the best returns. He brought Happiness and Prosperity into the homes of millions investors.
For him his people were his most important asset he picked up the best and most talented professionals, nurtured them continuously, and propelled them to aim for still higher goals. These highly motivated people compromise the core of what he named, The Reliance Family.
Shri Dhiru Bhai Ambani Visualized the growth of Reliance as an Integral Part of his Grand Vision for India. He was convinced that India could become an economic super-power within a short period of time and wanted Reliance to play an important in realizing the goals.
The Bhagvad States; The Actions of Great Man are an Inspiration for other, whatever he does, become a standard for others to follow. This constantly applied to Dhiru Bhai Ambani.
We are fortunate to have a hard man of Shri Dhiru Bhai Ambani’s Stature in our minds. His Leadership Qualities, remarkable foresight, uncompromising pursuit of excellence humility, prodigious to motivate and trust people will continue to guide and inspire future generations at Reliance. We are proud to inherit this valuable legacy. Some important events of his are give below in brief:
1979:- Issues convertible debentures of over Rs 400 crores Get License to make polyester filament
1992:- Reliance is offered the ever Euro Issue of Global Depositing Receipts by an Indian Company.
1993:- Sale crosses Rs 4,000/- crores making Reliance India’s largest private sector company.
1995:- Net profit touches Rs 1065 crores, unparalleled in the Indian Private Sector.
1995-97:- Completion of Rs 900 crores, Hazira Complex First Asian Company to issue
2002:- Acquires Government 20% stake in IPCL, India’s second largest Petrochemical Company
He was a visionary, enterprising and motivating leader. His achievements show that Indian like us is a country where enormous success can be built through enterprise. He was a role model for entrepreneurs. He was an everlasting Icon of the self-made triumph who ignited entrepreneurship in to the world. He was a Human Dynamic and proved that there are no limits to human achievements. He changed the mindset of the ordinary people.
2. Our next deserved hero and role model is JRD TATA: 1904-93 JRD Tata. He was the other legend and is the father of Indian Industrial Evolution. He was philanthropist, Industrialist, Civil Aviator; Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata was an Institution in himself.
Lovingly called JRD, he was the doyen of Indian Industry. He headed a vast Industrial Empire. He was keen and active member of Modern Sciences and Technology, a connoisseur of Arts and expert in Management and a visionary who was a votary of excellence, in every field. He was a rare combination of scientific temper, humility and benevolence.
Born on 29th July 1904, JRD headed the largest Industrial group in India, Tatas, which produced everything from steel and electric power to chemicals and automobiles. How did he manage it?
He was not arrogant; nor did he pose as someone who knew everything. He would send drafts of important letters or documents to five or six of his colleagues and then attempt to incorporate their suggestions into the original guidelines. He did not order people around; he respected those who worked for him. If he did not know something, he would consult experts. “Because of my lack of Technical knowledge, my main contribution in management was to encourage others.” JRD drew the best in every man who worked for him. “To lead men, you have to lead them with affection,” He often said. Asked about the secret of his success in business, JRD replied, “No Secrets, just long hours. I used to put in seventy-five to eighty hours of work a week.” That makes for about ten to eleven hours a day if one counts Sunday. Or twelve to thirteen hours in a six day week. JRD competed for the Agha Khan Trophy offered to the First Indian to fly solo England to India or vice versa. When he leaded at Aboukir Bay in Egypt on his way from India to London, he found that Aspy Engineer, the other contender flying from London to Karachi, was stranded for want of spark plug. JRD sportingly parted his spare one and they continued their journeys in opposite directions. Aspy beat JRD by a couple of hours. But JRD was not unhappy or jealous of Aspy’s success. He said, “I am glad he won because it helped me get into the Indian Air force.” Aspy not got into IAF but was the second Indian to become its chief. JRD could very well have told him that he did not have a spare spark plug in Egypt. But that was unlike JRD.
Once on way to his Mansion in Malabar Hill in Mumbai, JRD saw an old pushing a cart up the steep gradient. JRD got down from his car and lent a hand to the old man. It was an Instinctive of Humanitarian to the core. JRD was a warm-hearted caring Human Being. Once asked how he would be like to remember, he said, ‘I want to be remembered as an honest man who did his duty.” This sums up the man as well as the Industrialist. JRD had a rare sense of humor; he would often laugh at himself and his foibles. But then, he could also take criticism in his stride. At a general body meeting of a Tata concern that manufactures the famous Hamam Soap, an agitated shareholder told JRD that the quality of Hamam was steadily going down. “Who told you so?” he asked. “My Wife, Sir. She uses Hamam regularly.” “Asked her to change the brand of the soap.” “She won’t, Sir” ‘Then, you must change your wife,” said JRD with a twinkle in his eye. JRD realized that Manpower is the basis of development of any country. And he set Institution of International repute for generation the required manpower. He undertook the task of industrializing the country under strenuous condition after Independence. It was his initiative and vision that placed a crucial role in raising these Institutions to levels excellence.
The first unique institutions to bear the Tata Stamp were the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. It has helped lay the foundation of Industrial development in India. Then came the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai. JRD’s passion for building Institution of excellence was not limited to the field of science and Technology. He was aware of the consequences of Physical Sciences. It was this deep insight that prompted him to identify potential scientists in several voluntary groups established to help victims of various calamities, natural or manmade. He set up the Tata Institute of Social Sciences which has acquired an International reputation besides contributing substantially to social sciences.
Cancer was at that time-------and still is----- a dreaded disease. JRD took the imitative in establishing Tata Memorial Center foe Cancer Research in Mumbai. Treatment for cancer, comparable to the one available in the West, is available In India at affordable cost.
As a connoisseur of the arts, JRD set up the National Center for perfuming arts in Mumbai. It draws upon all great artistes and all forms of arts from all over the Country. As a civil aviator, JRD established Air India. As first Air Chairman of Air India, JRD piloted his aircraft from Mumbai to London even at the age of seventy.
Such men as JRD Tata and Dhiru Bhai Ambani are rare, men who are intensely humane, always concerned with their fellow men, never vain or conceited and always willing to work for long hours. JRD is a model for generations of Indians to come. They come gifted with the powers and visions to change destiny of their people, to alter the course of History. They were and are down-to-earth. They are the beacon lights to all Indians who wish to learn how success can be achieved through dedication and hardworking.
They are the empire builders, the stuff that legends are made of. The Legend called Shri Dhiru Bhai Ambani and JRD Tata will never die. Their spirits will live on forever
