Mukesh Ambani redefines scale in 20 yrs at RIL helm

At the 45th Annual General Meeting of Reliance Industries (RIL) in August, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Mukesh Ambani described the company as an "unputdownable book" with never-ending chapters of success.

- VIVEAT SUSAN PINTO SUNDAR SETHURAMAN

"Reliance grew from strength to strength because we internalised the founder's mindset of purpose, philosophy and passion," he said. Wednesday marked the 90th birth anniversary of RIL founder Dhirubhai Ambani.

Mukesh Ambani, 65, also the world's eighth richest person according to Forbes, took over as CMD in July 2002 following the demise of his father. From inheriting legacy textile and oil and gas businesses to stepping into areas such as retail, telecom and digital services and green energy, RIL today is a company for New India, says Arvind Singhal, chairman of consultancy Technopak.

"Mukesh Ambani quite simply redefined scale and business growth. In the last two decades, he has positioned RIL as a global major, an Indian MNC," he says. "Whichever category he entered, whether retail, telecom or even green energy and FMCG now, his ability to think big, execute large and complex projects, and take on incumbents including domestic and international rivals have been the hallmarks of his two-decade journey," Singhal adds.

Ambani has brought together a team that can deliver on his dreams, points out U R Bhat, co-founder, Alphaniti Fintech.