Buxani’s journey from boat to business class
Indian businessman’s success mirrors Dubai’s rapid growth
At the age of 18, with five rupees in his pocket and the courage of a lion, Ram Buxani left his home in India to work in Dubai.
It was 1959, when the emirate was part of the Trucial States which comprised a group of tribal confederations that were signatories to treaties with the British Government.
“When I told my brother I was leaving home, he thought I was crazy. My mother was worried about my safety and future. But I was not discouraged.”
He came on a boat from Bombay (“there was no airport in Dubai”) and it took five days to reach.
Today, Ram Buxani is a well-known Indian businessman, a veteran entrepreneur and chairman of a 60-yearold business conglomerate, ITL Cosmos Group. His personal net worth is estimated at around Dh300million. The company ITL, is estimated to be worth Dh920 million. Forbes Middle East picked him as one of the top Indian leaders of Middle East for 2014, 2016 and 2017.
Born in Karachi, Buxani’s family moved to India during the Partition in 1947.
First day
“There was no port in Dubai. We were transported to another boat which took ashore,” he recalls.
Buxani said it was drizzling when he stepped off the boat and the scent of the sand and the land was exhilarating. “I knew immediately that I wanted to live here.
Recalling the early days he says: “Dubai was a small place and I saw the entire city in half an hour. There was limited electricity in Dubai in 1959. So forget air-conditioners, fridge or any fancy lights. Everyone had a kerosene lamp at home and a hand fan. Nobody complained of the heat, it was just a way of life.”
Buxani came on a salary of Rs125 per month. The Indian rupee was the currency used back then. The perks included food, accommodation, one haircut and two movie tickets a month, plus a shaving allowance. “I sent home Rs75 every month for my mother’s living expenses. Some of it also went for my younger brother’s education. Life was simple,” recalls Buxani.
Three years into the job, he was offered two options as raise: one, a hike in his salary to Rs. 400; the second a raise in salary to Rs300 plus a profit share in the company. He took the latter. And this he says was a turning point in his life.
“We used to get a lot of product samples for brands my company was dealing with. Usually the brokers brought the business for us. But I wanted to do it myself. Once I asked my senior if I could take the samples and go to the market to find clients. He discouraged me.
One day, when he was not around, I sneaked into his office and picked up the samples, took an abra and crossed the creek to sell the samples (ashtrays, cigarette cases and lighters).
“I found a customer and he booked products worth $125 with me. It was a big amount. His name was Moosaji Karimji and uncannily, I bumped into him last week in Deira.”
“When I came back to the office, my senior asked me where I had been. I told him the truth and showed him the money. He was happy.”
Business mantra
“If I had to attribute anything to my success, it would be destiny,” says Buxani.
“One should always accept challenges. It is never about being profit-oriented. Honesty is essential. Change is imperative. If you change with the change, you will succeed. If you yourself cause the change — then you lead.”