CAPTAIN OF INDUSTRY

Because he has raced ahead of his peers to consolidate his position as India’s most successful businessman, with the relatively new Reliance Jio becoming the third largest telecom company in just 15 months after its launch with 14 per cent market share and 160 million subscribers in December 2017, while Reliance Industries netted Rs 9,423 crore in profits on revenues of Rs 1.09 lakh crore for the nine months ended December 2017

Because he is the world’s 19th richest man with a net worth of Rs 2.6 lakh crore and has deftly manoeuvred through the telecom landscape exactly as he had done in petrochemicals and oil, triggering consolidation and eliminating a few weak rivals, with those companies either merging with the strong for survival or closing down their operations

Because he has diversified his business to enter financial services with Jio Payments Bank in a tie-up with the State Bank of India, bought 5 per cent stake in Eros International to add heft to Jio’s content strategy, and has combined with Saavn to create a digital media platform with a global reach whose total value is over Rs 6,500 crore

Because he hasn’t taken his eyes off the traditional businesses, with RIL expected to pump in Rs 40,000 crore in KG-D6 oil fields in the east coast with partner BP PLC