Dhirubhai Ambani is a name which is known to almost every Indian. He was the founder of Reliance Industries the most valuable company in the country. Today RIL dominates all the major sectors of the market. The company’s market cap stands at Rs 2066949.87 crore. Today is Dhirubhai Ambani’s death anniversary; he passed away on July 6 2002. Lets look at some interesting facts about Dhirubhai.

Dhirubhai Ambani

Dhirubhai Ambani was born in Gujarat’s Chorwad on 28 December 1932.    Financial condition of his family was not good. He worked very hard to become successful. Dhirubhai started his business with Rs 500 and because of his hard work Reliance stands tall among all Indian companies.

After the death of the visionary businessman his sons Mukesh and Anil are handling his legacy very well. In 2005 the Reliance Industries was split between both the brothers. The command of the countrys most valuable company Reliance Industries is in the hands Dhirubhai’s elder son Mukesh Ambani.

Dhirubhai Did 300 Rupees Per Month Job

Dhirubhai’s father was an ordinary teacher while his mother was a housewife. Entire family used to live in a two-room house with five siblings. He took up the responsibility of the house at a very early age. Dhirubhai studied till Class 10. After passing Class 10 he started selling fruits and pakodas to help his family financially.

Worked At A Petrol Pump In Yemen

In 1948-49 he went to Yemen’s Aden city with the help of his elder brother Ramaniklal. There he started working at a petrol pump for Rs 300 a month.

A Burning Desire For Business Drew Dhirubhai Home

Dhirubhai’s employer in Yemen was very impressed with his work. He promoted him to manager post. Despite this success Ambani desired entrepreneurial independence. He returned to India in 1954 after six years. Having Rs 500 in total he launched his business venture.

Started By Selling Spices

After returning to India Dhirubhai reached Mumbai and learned that the demand for polyester is very high in the country. He also learned that Indian spices are very popular in foreign countries.

He first started the spice business and took a house on rent in Mumbai starting Reliance Commercial Corporation Company with the help of his cousin Champaklal Dimani.  Working from a rented room furnished with minimal essentials like a table three chairs and a writing pad he began exporting ginger turmeric and other spices to Western markets.

Earned By Selling Soil

An Arab Sheikh wanted roses in his garden and for that he needed special soil. When Ambani knew about this he sent soil from India for the Sheikh. In return the Sheikh gave him a helfty price.

This is how Reliance Industries was established

After getting success in the spice business Dhirubhai Ambani started textile business. In 1966 he launched a textile mill in Ahmedabad with the name - Reliance Textile - and started exporting polyester.

Gradually Dhirubhai started business of plastic Magnum petrochemical power generation. In 1985 he changed Reliance Textile to Reliance Industries Limited. In the year 1991-92 Dhirubhai entered the petrochemical industry. In 1998-2000 he set up the worlds largest refinery in Jamnagar.