Dhirubhai Ambani founded Reliance Industries in 1958, which is now the 100th largest company worldwide.

"Think big, think fast, think ahead. Ideas are no one's monopoly." - Dhirubhai Ambani

If there is one rags-to-rich story that leaves us spellbound every time we hear it, it's undoubtedly Dhirubhai Ambani's. Coming from a humble background, he reached the greatest height of success and emerged as an inspiration for countless individuals across the world. And he took the entire country forward along with him, bringing an industrial revolution that changed the lives of many. While he is no longer with us today, his legacy continues to remain untouched! 

"Dhirubhai Ambani was not the beneficiary of the wealth which was acquired by many during 1947. He had no such luxury. He was not the third or fourth-generation businessman. He was the first generation that grew to be (among the top)." - Amitabh Bachchan

It's the late business tycoon's 22nd death anniversary today. On this occasion, let's have a look at his remarkable journey that may inspire every dreamer out there.

The Humble Beginnings

Dhirubhai Ambani's father, the late Hirachand Gordhanbhai Ambani, was a school teacher in a village in Gujarat. Hence, he grew up in humble circumstances and had to deal with loads of struggles. In fact, he began his career selling chaat-pakodas to pilgrims.

Well, that was just the beginning of a remarkable career.

Moving To Yemen

At the age of 17, Ambani moved to Yemen to work as a dispatch clerk at the company, A. Besse & Co. Within a few years, he was promoted to the position of a manager for its oil-filling station at the port of Aden. However, he had bigger dreams, and hence, decided to quit his job and start something of his own.  

Reliance Industries

Ambani returned to India in 1958 and soon launched Reliance Commercial Corporation to trade spices. Initially, it was a small (350 sq ft room with a telephone, one table, and three chairs) office in Narsinatha Street of Masjid Bunder. Later, he set up a textile mill and changed his company's name to Reliance Textile Industries Limited. Their mill (located in Naroda, Gujarat) produced high-quality textiles and went on to become one of the country's best textile mills.

The company went public in 1977. And in 1985, its name was changed from Reliance Textiles Industries Ltd. to Reliance Industries Ltd. In 1991, Ambani launched Reliance Hazira to manufacture petrochemicals. Within five years, the company became the first in India to be rated by international credit rating agencies. It entered the telecom industry in 1996 and soon also took over Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited. With time, it started gaining a monopoly in numerous sectors of the country.

Mukesh Ambani, the current chairman of Reliance Industries Limited

Currently, Reliance Industries Limited operates businesses in energy, natural gas, retail, petrochemicals, mass media, textiles, entertainment, and telecommunications among others.

Dhirubhai Ambani breathed his last on July 6, 2002. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India, said about him, "The country has lost iconic proof of what an ordinary Indian fired by the spirit of enterprise and driven by determination can achieve in his own lifetime."