The Crazy Rich Indians : Lessons from Their Journey to the Top
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India’s billionaires are a testament to resilience, vision, and the power of determination. Their journeys from humble beginnings to extraordinary success have inspired generations. This article explores the lives of five such individuals, focusing on their challenges, rise, ventures, present-day success, family history, and net worth.
1. Dhirubhai Ambani
Dhirubhai Ambani, the visionary behind Reliance Industries, exemplifies the journey from rags to riches.
Challenges & Early Life
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Born on 28th December 1932 in Chorwad, Gujarat, to a modest family.
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Started by selling bhajias (fried snacks) at local fairs to support his family.
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Moved to Yemen at the age of 16, working as a petrol station attendant and later as a clerk, earning Rs. 300 per month.
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Faced financial constraints and criticism for his ambitious dream to industrialise India.
Rise to Prominence
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Founded Reliance Commercial Corporation in 1966 with just Rs.50,000.
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Entered the textile business with the launch of 'Vimal' sarees, revolutionising the Indian fashion market.
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Expanded into polyester production, making Reliance a leader in petrochemicals.
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Reliance diversified into several industries, including:
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Textiles (Vimal)
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Petrochemicals
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Refineries
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Oil and gas exploration
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Telecommunications (now Reliance Jio)
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Retail (Reliance Fresh, Trends, and Digital).
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Reliance Industries became the first Indian company listed in the Forbes 500 and is now one of India’s largest conglomerates.
Present-Day Success
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Awarded the Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) in 2016 for his contributions to trade and industry.
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Reliance Industries has a market capitalisation of over Rs.16 lakh crore (as of 2025).
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His legacy lives on through the company’s global dominance in energy, telecom, and retail sectors.
Family History & Net Worth
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Married Kokilaben Ambani and had four children: Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani, Nina Kothari, and Deepti Salgaonkar.
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Mukesh Ambani, the current chairman of Reliance, has a net worth of approximately $93 billion (Rs. 7.7 lakh crore) in 2025, making him Asia’s richest man.
2. Gautam Adani
Gautam Adani’s remarkable journey from a modest background to becoming one of the richest individuals in the world is a testament to hard work, resilience, and strategic vision.
Challenges & Early Life
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Born on 24th June 1962 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, to a Jain family with limited financial resources.
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Dropped out of Gujarat University while pursuing a commerce degree.
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Started as a diamond sorter in Mumbai before establishing his own trading business.
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Faced multiple challenges, including industry scepticism, financial risks, and geopolitical uncertainties.
Rise to Prominence
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Founded Adani Enterprises in 1988 as a commodity trading firm.
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It expanded into infrastructure development, making Adani Group a global leader in ports, energy, and logistics.
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Key ventures of the Adani Group include:
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Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd. (India’s largest port operator).
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Adani Green Energy (leader in renewable energy).
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Adani Power (India’s largest private thermal power producer).
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Adani Transmission (largest private power transmission company in India).
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Adani Wilmar (FMCG giant known for Fortune cooking oils).
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Adani Airports (manages major airports like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur).
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Played a crucial role in India’s push for renewable energy, committing Rs.1.5 lakh crore towards green energy projects.
Present-Day Success
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In 2022, became the richest person in Asia, briefly surpassing Jeff Bezos as the world’s second-richest individual.
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The Adani Group’s market capitalisation is over Rs.19 lakh crore (as of 2025).
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Despite facing allegations and controversies regarding corporate governance, Adani Group remains a global industrial powerhouse.
Family History & Net Worth
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Married Priti Adani, a dentist and chairperson of Adani Foundation, and has two sons: Karan Adani and Jeet Adani.
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As of 2025, Gautam Adani’s net worth is estimated at $68 billion (Rs.5.6 lakh crore).
3. Narayana Murthy
Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys, is hailed as the father of the Indian IT sector and a symbol of ethical business leadership.
Challenges & Early Life
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Born on 20th August 1946 in Sidlaghatta, Karnataka, to a middle-class family.
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Completed his education at National Institute of Engineering (NIE), Mysore, and obtained a master’s degree from IIT Kanpur.
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Started his career at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) as a systems programmer.
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Faced initial setbacks, including financial struggles and rejections, while launching Infosys.
Rise to Prominence
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Co-founded Infosys in 1981 with six other engineers, starting with an initial investment of just Rs.10,000, borrowed from his wife, Sudha Murthy.
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Introduced global delivery models in IT services, which transformed India into a software outsourcing hub.
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Key achievements of Infosys under Murthy’s leadership:
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Became the first Indian IT company to be listed on NASDAQ.
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Pioneered the concept of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) in India.
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Expanded globally, providing IT services, consulting, and outsourcing.
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Advocated ethical business practices, setting high standards for corporate governance.
Present-Day Success
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Infosys is now valued at Rs.7 lakh crore (as of 2025) and employs over 3 lakh individuals globally.
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Murthy continues to inspire entrepreneurs with his focus on humility, discipline, and long-term vision.
Family History & Net Worth
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Married Sudha Murthy, a celebrated author and philanthropist, with two children: Rohan Murthy and Akshata Murthy (the wife of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak).
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As of 2025, Narayana Murthy’s net worth is approximately $4.3 billion (Rs.35,000 crore).
4. Kalpana Saroj
Known as the “original Slumdog Millionaire,” Kalpana Saroj’s inspiring journey from poverty and oppression to becoming one of India’s leading entrepreneurs showcases unparalleled resilience and determination.
Challenges & Early Life
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Born in 1961 in Roperkheda, Maharashtra, to a Dalit family facing severe caste discrimination.
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Forced into a child marriage at the age of 12, endured domestic abuse, and returned to her family at 16.
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Struggled to survive in Mumbai, working in a tailoring unit for just Rs.2 per day.
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Overcame personal trauma, including a suicide attempt, and resolved to take charge of her life.
Rise to Prominence
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Started a small tailoring business, followed by a furniture shop, accumulating initial savings.
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In 1995, took over the bankrupt Kamani Tubes company and transformed it into a profitable enterprise within years.
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Expanded her business empire across multiple sectors, including:
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Real estate development
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Manufacturing
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Healthcare
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Film production (through Kalpana Saroj Productions).
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Advocated for Dalit rights and women’s empowerment, becoming a role model for marginalised communities.
Present-Day Success
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Honoured with the Padma Shri (2013) for her contributions to trade and industry.
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Kamani Tubes is now a thriving company valued at over Rs.1,500 crore (as of 2025).
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Frequently invited as a motivational speaker to share her story globally.
Family History & Net Worth
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Kalpana Saroj has chosen to keep her personal life private, focusing instead on her professional and social impact.
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As of 2025, her estimated net worth is $112 million (Rs.920 crore).
5. Karsanbhai Patel
Karsanbhai Patel, the founder of Nirma Group, is a shining example of how determination and innovation can transform an idea into a household name in India.
Challenges & Early Life
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Born in 1945 in Mehsana, Gujarat, into a farmer's family.
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Worked as a lab technician in the Gujarat Government’s Department of Mining and Geology.
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With limited resources, he started manufacturing detergent in his backyard during his free time.
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Faced scepticism from established brands and struggled to gain consumer trust in the early days.
Rise to Prominence
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In 1969, launched Nirma detergent powder, priced at just Rs.3 per kg, making it affordable for the common man.
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Initially sold the detergent door-to-door on his bicycle while continuing his government job.
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Nirma became a disruptive force in the detergent market, competing with multinational giants like Hindustan Lever.
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Expanded Nirma into a wide range of products, including:
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Soaps
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Shampoos
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Toothpaste
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Edible salt
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Cement
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Cosmetics
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Present-Day Success
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Nirma Group’s revenues exceed Rs.17,000 crore annually (as of 2025), with operations in India and abroad.
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Diversified into chemicals and industrial products, with a strong presence in the FMCG sector.
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Nirma’s success story is taught in business schools as an example of low-cost innovation and grassroots marketing.
Family History & Net Worth
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Married and blessed with three children. His daughter, Nirupama Patel, passed away in a tragic accident, which inspired him to establish the Nirma Institute of Technology and other educational institutions.
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As of 2025, Karsanbhai Patel’s estimated net worth is $4.5 billion (Rs.37,000 crore).
Legacy & Impact
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Awarded the Padma Shri (2010) for his contributions to trade and industry.
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Credited with democratising the detergent market in India, providing quality products at affordable prices.
You can also read: Richest Caste In India: Baniya Community And Their Rise to Billionaire Status
How to get Rich? Trade Secrets of Baniyas Make you Rich
- Crazy Rich Indians
- Indian Billionaires