Sunil Bharti Mittal is a first-generation entrepreneur, billionaire, telecom tycoon, and philanthropist whose humble beginnings and hard work have made him one of the richest in India. Mr Mittal recently received a knighthood from Prince Charles III of Britain for his contribution to promoting India-UK business relations. Let’s dive into this visionary leader’s life and explore the life lessons we can grasp from his journey.
Early Life & Education
Born into an Aggarwal family in Ludhiana, Punjab, Sunil Milltal did his schooling at Wynberg Allen School, Mussoorie and Scindia School Gwalior. Later on, he completed his graduation from Punjab University, Chandigarh, in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts & Science.
His father was a member of Parliament who passed away in 1992 due to a cardiac arrest.
Sunil Mittal has received honorary doctorates from Newcastle University and the University of Leeds. He has also been involved with the University of Cambridge, the London School of Economics and the London Business School.
Personal Information
| Full Name | Sunil Bharti Mittal |
| Date of Birth | 23 October, 1957 |
| Place of Birth | Ludhiana, Punjab, India |
| Father’s Name | Sat Paul Mittal |
| Mother’s Name | Lalita Mittal |
| Spouse | Nyna Mittal |
| Children | Kavin, Sharvin, Eiesha |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Position | MD & Chairman- Bharti Entreprises |
Entrepreneurial Journey
Sunil Mittal started his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 18 by making crankshafts for cycle manufacturers. He borrowed 20,000 from his father to start this business.
In 1980, after selling his bicycle parts business, he started a new company in Mumbai, named Bharti Overseas Trading Company, with his brothers Rakesh and Rajan Mittal.
After obtaining an import license, he started importing Suzuki portable electric motors from Japan. However, the Indian government’s abrupt ban on the import of electric motors impacted the business, but it did not deter him, and he carried on with the same unwavering spirit.
In 1984, he started manufacturing push-button phones after an agreement between Siemens AG, a German company and Bharti Telecom Limited. This venture captured the market instantly, which was, until now, dominated by bulky rotary dial phones with no options for speed dials or redial.
By the early 1990s, Bharti Telecom Limited was making fax machines, cordless phones and other telecom gear under the name Beetel.
India was witnessing the telecom revolution during the 90s, and sensing this, Sunil Mittal managed to secure a mobile phone network license, taking some help from Vivendi, a French telecom operator.
Upon approval, telecom service was launched in 1995, and Bharti Cellular Service was formed in 1997 to offer services under the brand name AirTel.
Airtel crossed 2 million subscribers within a year, becoming one of the telecom giants in India.
Today, AirTel is the second largest market player in India after Jio and continues to innovate in new arenas, such as the initiative to provide satellite-based internet by OneWeb Communications of the UK, in which Sunil Mittal has invested a significant amount.
Bharti group is now a diverse business entity spread in real estate, education, malls, telecom, insurance, agri and food.
Philanthropy
Sunil Mittal has been working to provide education in India through his foundation, the Bharti Foundation. The foundation has been involved with building schools across rural India and providing underprivileged children with free education, books, uniforms, and a mid-day meal.
Bharti Foundation’s flagship program, Satya Bharti School Program, runs 245 schools across six states, serving 45,000 children and providing free education.
In 2017, Sunil announced that he would set aside 10% of his wealth for charitable deeds and the establishment of Satya Bharti University, which will provide education to deserving students from underprivileged sections of society.
Awards & Recognitions
- Best Asian Telecom CEO, Telecom Asia Awards (2005)
- CEO of the Year by Business Standard (2005-06)
- Asia Businessman of the Year, Fortune Magazine (2006)
- Padma Bhushan by The Government of India (2007)
- Philanthropist of the Year Award, The Asian Awards (2010)
- INSEAD Business Leader Award (2011)
- Business Leader of the Year at The Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence (2022)
- Honorary Knighthood by King Charles III of Britain (2024)
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