Gen-next Ambanis could join RIL soon

From being seen beside their billionaire parents and grandmother Kokilaben Ambani at the annual general meetings of Reliance Industries Ltd, the Ambani twins -- Akash and Isha -- might soon graduate to being RIL employees.

With RIL entering a new growth phase in telecom and retail, gen-next, say RIL executives, could soon be seen holding the reins of the firm, assisting their father, Chairman Mukesh Ambani.

"They are likely to follow in their father's footsteps in joining RIL right after finishing studies," a senior RIL executive told Business Standard.

An RIL spokesperson declined to comment, while an email sent to the firm remained unanswered.

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Akash, the family's tech guy in Mukesh Ambani's words, is back from Brown University after completing his undergraduate studies and Isha from Yale University after majoring in psychology and South Asian studies.

Among Mukesh and Nita Ambani's three children, Akash is the eldest, while Anant, the second son, is the youngest.

"Akash's assignment will be more of learning at the operational level so that he earns his purse.

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"As is true for most young people, Akash might opt to become the company's consumer face for either of its telecom and retail businesses," the senior executive added.

The entry of Akash and Isha in the company could, however, be a low-key affair.

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"There are no discussions within the company on the entry of the Ambani twins. Mukesh Ambani may choose not to announce it at RIL's 39th AGM on June 6," the executive added.

 RIL's telecom venture, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, plans to launch Internet connectivity on a pan-Indian basis and offer end-to-end solutions across digital services in domains of national interest, such as education, healthcare, security, financial services, government-citizen interfaces and entertainment.

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In his annual letter to shareholders, RJIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani has said key agreements have been finalised with its technology partners, service providers, infrastructure providers, application partners, device manufacturers and other strategic partners for the project.

Both Mukesh and his younger brother (Reliance Group Chairman), Anil Ambani, had joined RIL in the early 1980s after completing their education.