Dhirajlal Hirachand Ambani, or popularly known as Dhirubhai Ambani (28 December 1932 - 6 July 2002) was an Indian business tycoon. Born into a Modh family in Gujarat, he went up to become one of the biggest and most influential businessmen of India. He was the third son of Hirachand Gordhanbai Ambani and Jamnaben Bai and was born in Chorwad, Malia Taluka, Junagadh district, Gujarat. On the occasion of his 90th birth anniversary, let's take a look at some interesting facts about him-
- In 2016, Dhirubhai Ambani was honoured posthumously with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour for his contributions to trade and industry.
- His first business was to sell street food to pilgrims at Mount Girnar in Gujarat
- Ambani went to Aden on his first foreign trip to join his brother- Ramniklal at the age of 16 in 1955.
- In Aden, he worked as a gas-station attendant and got his first salary of Rs.300 in A. Besse & Co.
- He left Aden in 1958 to try his hand at his own business in India in the textile market. In 1968, he expanded his company’s business to the niche of textiles, under the brand name ‘Vimal’.
- His first office was 350 Sq. Ft. room at the Narsinathan Street in Masjid Bunder, Mumbai. The office had 2 tables, 1 telephone and 3 chairs.
- In 1996, Reliance became the first Indian private company which was rated by international credit rating agencies like S&P, Moody’s, etc.