This book provides a biography of Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of Reliance Industries. It describes how he grew up in a small village in Gujarat and had little formal education. He got his start working as a clerk in Aden and went on to found Reliance Commercial Corporation in Mumbai. Through ambitious vision and strategic investments, he built Reliance into one of the largest conglomerates in India. The book highlights his relentless drive and entrepreneurial spirit that paved the way for India's economic growth.
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Book review on Dhirubhai Ambani by jagdish saboo
1. 1
Name of Book : Corporate Guru
Dhirubhai Ambani
Author : ChetanPrakash Sharma
Publisher : Manoj Publications
Price : ` 100
Review Written :Jagdish Saboo
by
3. 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.
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4. 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.
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5. 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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6. 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.
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7. 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.
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8. 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”.
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9. 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.
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10. 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.
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11. 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)
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12. 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.
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13. 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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14. 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.
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16. 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’.
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17. 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.
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18. 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.
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