"I stand on the dawn of a new life. This is a new beginning for me. In the days and years ahead, I am committed to creating value and adhering to the highest standards of governance", said Anil Ambani, Chief, Reliance Communication Ventures Limited (RCOVL), after reaching a settlement with his elder brother Mukesh on the Reliance empire ownership imbroglio. True to his blood, the younger son of legendary industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani proved that he means serious business and is here to prove his mettle. As many Family-Owned Business Enterprise (FOBEs), which do not operate smoothly once the baton is passed from the first generation to the second, in the case of Ambanis destiny took a different turn, once a final settlement was reached between the two brothers. Anil, who was educated at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, was to keep Reliance Energy Ltd. (REL) and Reliance Capital Ltd. (RCL), the two companies whose operations he oversees. And on top of that Anil also managed to get Reliance Infocomm as well, a company which was his brother Mukesh's baby and something Anil has clearly stayed away from since its inception.

Anil is also expected to get around Rs. 12,000 crore in the form of cash, real estate and other assets. While he has often faced challenges and opposition, Anil remains unfazed by criticism and is determined to keep Reliance growing. As his father demonstrated that Indian companies could be modern, vital and competitive, now Anil seems to have picked up the torch. A tech-savvy professional, after assuming the office of Chairman, Anil addressed Reliance Infocomm employees through a webcast across 85 offices and locations enthusing fresh blood of hope. "It is a privilege to assume the leadership of this great enterprise. We are committed to creating value and leading a billion Indians into the digital era," he said in his inimitable style.

As he struck the gong from the podium of the Rotunda hall of the Bombay Stock Exchange, the newly listed share of Reliance Communications Ventures Ltd (RCoVL) - holding company of Reliance Infocomm - took off. Starting at Rs. 299, it rose to Rs. 309 before settling at Rs. 290.85. At that price, the company is valued at over Rs. 35, 000 crore, making Anil India's fourth richest billionaire after steel baron Lakshmi Mittal (estimated wealth: Rs. 90,000 crore), Wipro chief Azim Premji (Rs. 61,290 crore), and elder brother Mukesh Ambani (Rs. 43,600 crore). In fact, at one point, he even overtook his brother. Anil is now worth Rs. 32, 525 crore, this being the value of his personal holdings. He is a man on an overdrive and he is unstoppable. Anil's instant success contrasted sharply with the challenges faced by his father, Dhirubhai. In the nine months since the Ambani empire was divided, two million Reliance shareholders have seen their paper wealth soar by more than Rs.70,000 crore. That is as much as the wealth Reliance Industries created over 28 years. As of March 2007, he has a net-worth of US$ 18.2 billion, making him the 18th richest person in the world. His was the world's fastest-growing multi-billion-dollar fortune in percentage terms as his wealth tripled in 1 year which is but a mild example of the drive and power this man has when it comes to his work.

Anil decided to consolidate all its telecom companies under the banner of Reliance Communications Ventures Ltd (RCVL) and in the process, RCVL will become an operating company by merging Reliance Infocomm with itself, and converting the other three companies - Reliance Communications Infrastructure Ltd (RCIL), Reliance Telecom Ltd (RTL) and Flag Telecom - into 100% subsidiaries. After the changes, Anil will own an overwhelming 63% of RCVL, up from the current 40%. The increase in stake comes courtesy his group's higher direct ownership in the other merging companies, especially Reliance Infocomm, RTL and RCIL. Proving his business acumen, Anil made a dramatic foray into life insurance business by announcing the acquisition of Chennai-based AMP Sanmar. The acquisition by Reliance Capital subsidiary Reliance Life, presumed to be for about Rs. 225 crore, is part of Anil Ambani's announcement to make Reliance Capital an integrated financial services company to rank among three top entities in next two years. With his incredible driving force and focus, he has made Reliance a familiar name in far corners of the India and beyond.

A small proof is that his net worth has surged by more than $12 billion in past year. Though Anil lost out to Vodafone in race to acquire Hutchison Whampoa's 67% stake in Hutchison Essar, India's third-largest mobile phone operator, everybody knows that it is a small setback for him and he is already rising. In terms of assets, the reorganisation, will bring all telecom assets under one umbrella, including transmission towers, 1,500 Reliance Webworlds, and the sprawling 134-acre Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge Centre (DAKC) in Navi Mumbai. His recent withdrawal from politics is further affirmation that business is his true soul calling. An avid marathon runner, known for sporting a headband, T-shirt and jogging shorts, Anil runs about 100 km per week early mornings on the streets of Bombay to keep himself fit. Why not, he has got the name of "Marathon Man". But why exactly is Anil Ambani famous? Simply because, corporate dynamism has not known a better name.