Today when Gautam Adani is discussed, his name is included in the list of the richest people in the world. His empire of success extends to $220 billion, but do you know that this success started with rejection at one time?
An interesting twist in the story of this industrialist of our country came when he applied for education in Jai Hind College, Mumbai in the 1970s. This is the same college from where he was invited today to give an inspirational lecture to the students on Teachers’ Day. But the college rejected his application.
Vikram Nankani, President of the Alumni Association of Jai Hind College, while sharing this interesting fact, told that Gautam Adani, who is among the richest persons in India today, came to Mumbai at the age of 16 and started the diamond sorting business. His elder brother Vinod was already studying in Jai Hind College, so he also tried to get admission in the same college. But his application was rejected, which changed the path of his future.
Steps taken towards business
Adani left his studies and turned to business and in about four and a half decades, he built a huge empire. His business endeavors brought him success in diverse sectors such as infrastructure, power, city gas, renewable energy, cement, real estate, data centers and media. His companies today operate 13 ports and seven airports in the country. Adani’s companies are the largest private sector entity in the power sector and they are also redeveloping Asia’s largest slum.
16 year old decides to break the first limit
Delivering a lecture on ‘Breaking Boundaries: The Power of Passion and Unconventional Paths to Success’, 62-year-old Adani said he was only 16 when he decided to break his first boundary. ‘‘It had to do with quitting studies and moving into an unknown future in Mumbai. People still ask me, ‘‘Why did you move to Mumbai? Why didn’t you complete your education?’’ Adani said, ‘‘The answer lies in the heart of every young dreamer who sees boundaries not as barriers but as challenges that test his mettle.’’’’ I had this feeling whether I had the courage to live my life in the most important city of our country,’’ he added. Mumbai was his training ground for business as he learnt how to sort and trade diamonds.
The biggest game changer
An important part of his story was the transformation of marshland in Kutch into India’s largest port in the 1990s. Adani saw it as an opportunity while others considered it a wasteland. Today, the Mundra region houses the largest port, industrial special economic zone, thermal power station, solar manufacturing facility centre and edible oil refinery.