The Reliance ‘Empire’

Founder: Dhirajlal Hirachand Ambani

Inheritor: Anil Ambani and Mukesh Ambani

Active: 46 years

Seed capital: 14,000 rupees

Revenue: US$ 68.9 billion (2010-2011)

Reliance has its core operations in petrochemicals, refining, oil and gas-related sectors but they also master in the various other segments like other segments like textiles, retail business, telecommunications, and special economic zone (SEZ) development. It also owns world's largest refinery in Jamnagar which is a "zero discharge" refinery. RIL is ranked 20 in the world for its sales and the 6^th most trusted brand in India. Reliance group brought forward the concept of ‘every man having a phone in India’ and that added to its fame.

Dhirubhai Ambani once said – “"More than anything else I learnt that nothing big can ever be achieved without money, influence and power and I also learnt that money, influence and power alone cannot achieve anything in life, big or small, without a certain soft, delicate, sensitive, understanding human touch in all one's deeds and words.”

We must admit that he was definitely an opportunist.