December 28th, an auspicious day in the country’s growth story marks the birth anniversary of India’s two most beloved sons who went on to script history changing the entire face of businesses practiced in the sub-continent and providing India a pivotal place in the world.
Dhirubhai Ambani and Ratan Tata are the two names that don’t require any introduction, the two business tycoons share their birthdays. Among the world’s greatest Philanthropists Ratan Tata has turned 85, while today (28th December 2022) marks Reliance founder and visionary man Dhirubhai Ambani’s 90th birth anniversary.
On the one hand where Dhirubhai built a company from the clothing business, whose journey has spread from energy, and retail to media entertainment and digital services. This company is a part of life from morning breakfast to night binge watch.
While Ratan Tata has taken the legacy entrusted to him to a new level. He has brought back Air India Airlines, which had passed from the Tata empire to the government in the 1950s, back into his empire. Foreign company Ford added luxury car brands, Land Rover and Jaguar, to its portfolio. It also acquired Tetley, the world's largest tea manufacturer, besides buying the European steel producer Corus.
Marking the occasion here we present to you the life story of the two great personalities and their real-life examples on five fronts that hold immense potential in shaping one’s life for good.
Taking Risks:
Dhirubhai Ambani:
Back in 1950, Dhirubhai began his job working at a petrol pump for a Yemen-based Shell Company at a monthly pay of Rs. 300 and went on to become the manager at the same company in under two years. Resigned from the job soon after and decided to return to India and start his own venture. Started working under Reliance established by his maternal Uncle left that as well without much stability and gave birth to one of the most iconic companies in India Reliance Textile in 1966.
Ratan Tata:
Took the risk of loss-making car companies of Jaguar and Land Rover, took over Europe’s second-largest steel manufacturer Corus and after initial struggle brought the company back to establish itself as one of the most successful companies of the time. Cut to 2000, Ratan TATA decided to bring the world’s second-largest tea manufacturer Tetley, which was three times the size of TATA although without any future negative thoughts TATA tea went on to become one of the world’s biggest tea-producing companies.
Decision Making:
Dhirubhai Ambani:
In 1977 Dhirubhai decided to bring Independent India’s first IPO at just Rs. 10 per share releasing 2.8 million total shares. The IPO got 7 times oversubscribed giving a huge profit to the holders. It is just one instance, Dhirubhai decided to expand the company’s horizon to Information Technology, Telecommunication, Retail, Infrastructure, Services, Logistics, and more, and currently sits as one of the greatest conglomerates in the country.
Ratan Tata:
Back in 1990, Ratan Tata decided to try his hands at the passenger car segment, the move drew sharp criticism from his fellow loyalist and others, however, the decision taken is taken, TATA is among the biggest car manufacturers in the country.
Idea Generation:
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Dhirubhai Ambani:
It was Dhirubhai Ambani himself, who convinced the government in 1979 for Convertible Debenture, following which Reliance earned a massive 268 crores from the market.
Ratan Tata:
Following a huge criticism over the idea of production of TATA Indica in 1998, Ratan TATA didn’t pay much heed to the outwardly sounds and successfully went on to make a foreign-designed India’s first indigenously built car that set records at the time in sales.
Innovation:
Dhirubhai Ambani:
For its retail brand Vimal, Dhirubhai Ambani required Polyester, whose import rules in the country were too tough and rigid without fearing the repercussions of the move, Dhirubhai Ambani decided to produce Petroleum products in the country that earned him profits millions.
Ratan Tata:
Sitting atop one of the finest investors, Ratan TATA holds a philosophy of investment that the future of start-ups relies heavily on the ideas that take up the route of innovation and have the potential of easing people’s lives. Ratan Tata now holds a huge investment in several companies including top companies like PayTM, OLA Electric, Lenskart, and more.
Leadership:
Dhirubhai Ambani:
There are endless stories of Dhirubhai regarding how he transformed his small ideas into one of the greatest companies in the country. It is said irrespective of the position one holds Dhirubhai was approachable to one and all working in his company. Reliance’s AGM started to get scheduled in stadiums just because of Dhirubhai’s aura where people wanted to listen to him.
Ratan Tata:
An inspiration to millions and generations to follow, Rata Tata’s ideas and thoughts stand him as one of the best in the country just because of his leadership. Several employees have gone on to say in public that Ratan Tata was the one who wished to stand up for his employees no matter who approached him and gave his best to resolve it. He always treated his men’s problems as his own.
The two men have a lot to talk about, competitiveness in the business that generates value in a sustainable ecosystem has been the thumb rule for the two, whom irrespective of the challenges proceeded to hold on to their beliefs and ideas and scripted a story of growth that provided India a pivotal place in the world map.