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Name of Book : Corporate Guru Dhirubhai AmbaniAuthor : ChetanPrakash SharmaPublisher : Manoj PublicationsPrice : ` 100Review Written :Jagdish Sabooby

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This book depicts the biography of great industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani.

His life does not need words for description.The industries set up by him are living

monuments of his achievements.He belived –‘No one has monopoly over

thoughts. So, think big, think fast and think before others.

Introduction

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Dhirajlal Ambani was born on December 28,1932 in Chorwar, Saurashtra, Gujrat.

His father was Teacher by profession. It was his father from whom he learnt ‘Karma’

Philosophy.At matric level his learning ended and

Professional life began.

Birth & Early Years

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His elder brother Ramniklal called him to Aden to put him to some gainful work.He started at the job of clerk in A.Bessy & Co.He made progress & at age of only 24 won

post of General Manager.Everyone looked incredulous when in 1959, he

tendered his resignation from high post of that company & back to Mumbai.

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Back in Mumbai, with his small capital he floated Reliance Commercial Corporation

After intial successes in Mumbai Dhirubhai gained confidence & turned towards home state Gujrat.

He set up a mill at ‘Naroda’ with a small capital of 15000 only.

He bought the raw material from Nirlon Chemicals & Synthetic Fibres.But in 15 years he reversed entire process. Now he was supplying raw material to same company earlier he used to take from.

From Mumbai to Gujrat

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In 1968 Vimal textiles brand had been launched in market.

The success of Vimal brand gave Dhirubhai confidence that through issues he would be able to raise capital for new projects.

In 1977 Dhirubhai came out with his First public issue for subscription.

It was oversubscribed seven times. In 1977 Reliance paid intial investors a 43%

annual profit even when the profit level of share market was not safe also.

First Public Issue

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He did not want his main product to be dependant on others for supply of input materials.

Dhirubhai realised this fact & did not continue with same mistake and Thus, he was able to keep end products available at competitive rates in market and outsold others.

Dhirubhai thought-”It is not enough just to set last date of a project.The explanation should be its accomplishment before that date”.

Self Dependance

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Everyday for two hours the three used to discuss industry related matters in mornings.

This discussion determined their day’s programmes and strategies.

Dhirubhai hsd trained his sons to be ready to face any eventuality or challenge. They always kept several options if thing went wrong anytime, anyway or anywhere in business empire.

Ambanis team Work

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Dhirubhai’s talent hunt funda was quite ramous. First Dhirubhai would contact target talent & was

told he was required by Reliance team for benefit of company.

The offer would be politely turned down by talent. Then, Dhirubhai would request for personal talk & send him an air ticket.

It made favourable impact & target felt honoured.

Welcome was Talent

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When Dhirubhai was carving niche for himself in business world there used to be strange relationship between industrialist & politics.

Around 1980 Dhirubhai had given material support in raising stage for victory rally of Indira Gandhi.

The series Arun Shaurie made sarcastic remarks when Reliance group acquired 26% share of Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited.(IPCL)

Period of political Ups-Downs

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Often to enthuse & encourage his officials & workers he articulated his success formulae in the form of slogans.

Just as the drops of rain create an expansive body of water,similarly small savings of crores of middle class indians can make a huge capital for investment.

What is good for India is good for Reliance and What is good for Reliance is good for India.

Dhirubhai’s Success Mantra

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Thought is power, an energy. The thinking must be big,thinking be fast and ahead of others. No one has monopoly over thinking Thinking is that foundation on which person can build the palace of his success.

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The giganatic Jamnagar refinery was seen to be believed.

The refinery was set up with a capital of ` 25000 crores which was mind boggling by Indian Standards at that time.

In 1986 dhirubhai had suffered heart attack still 5% of country’s total revenue collections come from Reliance indusrial group beside contributing impressive share in GDP.

Reliance at New heights

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Founded : 1966First I.P.O. : November 1977Annual Turnover : ` 99,000 cr.Gross Profits : ` 12,000 cr.Net profit : ` 6200 cr.Net Worth : `35,000 cr.Export Income : ` 15,000 cr.

Statistics of Reliance group

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Dhirubhai Ambani figured in power-50,Asia’s most powerful 50 persons featured by ‘Asia

week’ in 2000. Dhirubhai was honoured 3 times

(1999,2000,2001) as India’s most admired C.E.O. In 2002 he was awarded the honour of

‘Lifetime Achievement’.

Honour & Citations

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Life is short still shorter is the life of the industrious people because they use up every second of their time.

On June 24,2002 Dhirubhai suffered heart and brain strokes.

He went into ‘Coma’.For 13 days he struggled for life.

On July 6,2002 at 11.30 p.m.Dhirubhai departed for his hevenly abode.It was sad news for people & the nation.

The Last Voyage

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Taking DhirubhaiAmbani’s life as an example and by adopting his values we too can make our lives successful and pave the way of progress.

Corporate world of India will always remain indebted to this village of product of Gujarat for adding a new dimensions to it and gaining it global recognition.

I think if we get one hundred Dhirubhais in India our economy shall rule the world.

India of his dreams can only be realized by following the path charted out by him. That will be our true tribute to him.

Conclusion

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