Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, is one of India’s most successful businessmen. Best known for revolutionizing the telecom industry through Airtel, Mittal’s journey from manufacturing bicycle parts to owning a billion-dollar empire is nothing short of remarkable. Born on October 23, 1957, Mittal, now 66, built his wealth and influence with determination and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
Early Life and Background
Sunil Bharti Mittal hails from Ludhiana, Punjab, where he was born into a politically inclined family. His father, Sat Pal Mittal, was a prominent leader and a two-time Rajya Sabha MP. However, politics wasn’t on Sunil’s radar. Instead of following in his father’s footsteps, he ventured into the business world after completing his education.
At just 18, Sunil borrowed ₹20,000 from his father to start a small business in bicycle parts. He manufactured parts for Hero Cycles, one of India’s largest cycle manufacturers. Even though his family had a significant name in politics, Sunil faced his share of challenges in the business world.
Early Struggles and Support
In an interview, Sunil recalled how arranging ₹5,000 during his early days in business proved difficult. Help came from Brajmohan Munjal, founder of Hero Cycles, who gave Sunil a ₹5,000 cheque, allowing him to move forward. Despite his hard work, Mittal realized that the bicycle parts business wouldn’t scale up as he had hoped.
Moving into Telecom
Understanding the limitations of his bicycle business, Sunil Mittal decided to shift gears. He sold his bicycle business and moved to Mumbai, determined to explore new business opportunities. While experimenting with several ventures, he found limited success.
His fortunes changed after a trip to Taiwan, where he saw push-button phones. Back then, India still used rotary phones. Sensing an opportunity, Sunil Mittal started importing these push-button phones to India under the brand name Beetle, laying the foundation for his foray into telecommunications.
The Big Break: Airtel
Mittal’s pivotal moment came in 1992 when the Indian government began issuing licenses for mobile services. Seizing the opportunity, he obtained a cellular license, eventually leading to the birth of Bharti Cellular Limited in 1995. Under this company, Mittal launched the Airtel brand, which rapidly gained popularity across India.
Airtel quickly became a household name, known for its innovative services and strong network. Mittal’s vision to bring affordable mobile services to millions helped Airtel establish a dominant position in India’s telecom sector.
Airtel’s Global Expansion
Today, Airtel is one of the world’s leading telecom providers, with operations in over 15 countries. Under Mittal’s leadership, the company expanded its services beyond India, tapping into markets in Africa and Asia. Airtel has maintained its relevance despite increasing competition, most notably from Reliance Jio, owned by Mukesh Ambani.
A Billionaire Visionary
Sunil Bharti Mittal’s rise to the top of India’s business landscape has been extraordinary. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, his net worth is around $26.2 billion (approximately ₹2.20 lakh crore). This year alone, his wealth increased by $10.3 billion, cementing his place as the 71st richest person in the world and the 8th richest in India.
The Road Ahead
Even though competition has intensified with the entry of Jio, Airtel continues to hold its ground, offering innovative services and expanding its digital ecosystem. Sunil Bharti Mittal’s business acumen and relentless drive have made him a respected figure not just in India but globally.
Mittal’s story is a testament to perseverance, risk-taking, and seizing opportunities in the ever-evolving business world. From starting small with bicycle parts to building a telecom giant, his journey remains an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs.
