TRAILBLAZING TITANS

These Bihar-born leaders have built conglomerates, created enduring impact, disrupted industries, and left an indelible mark on India's economic landscape

- By TeamBW

Anil Agarwal's rise from Patna's modest lanes to the helm of Vedanta Resources reflects the grit of Indian enterprise. Born in 1954, he bypassed university to join his father's aluminium conductor business, before moving to Bombay at the age of 19 with little more than determination. Starting as a scrap trader, he soon acquired Shamsher Sterling Corporation through a bank loan.

In 1986, he founded Sterlite Industries, and by 1993, created India's first private copper smelter and refinery. His most audacious move came in 2003 with the incorporation of Vedanta Resources Plc in London, the first Indian company to list on the London Stock Exchange.

Today, Vedanta spans zinc, aluminium, copper, oil and gas, iron ore and power, embodying Agarwal's appetite for scale and risk. He continues to recall his humble beginnings, framing his journey as a testament to persistence and vision.

The Billionaire Behind Alkem

Jehanabad-born Samprada Singh transformed a modest start at a chemist's shop into the foundation of a global pharmaceutical empire. After early ventures in drug distribution and a short-lived manufacturing unit in Mumbai, Singh, along with his brother Basudeo Narayan Singh, established Alkem Laboratories in 1973. He remained chairman until his passing in 2019, while his brother continues as managing director.