Dhirubhai started the business of the export of spices. We first exported cardamom to Saudi Arabia.

Dhirubhai used to wear bush-shirt with loose pantaloons and chappals to the office. He didn't like wearing a tie. Then, he didn't even know how to knot a tie.

We had a table and a couple of chairs. I used to be a versatile office-worker. I used to sweep and mop our office, served tea and later in the day did some banking. Then I would go out to clients for debt collection.

In the office, Dhirubhai spoke original Kathiawadi (the ethnic dialect of the area of Gujarat known as Kathiawad, where Dhirubhai's native village is located) only. Every single sentence of his would carry three invectives! He was an outspoken man. He was just 25 years old when he started his business.

He was also a highly religious man and had full faith in God. He believed in Srinathji and Ambe Maa, and his faith in God remained unshaken till his death.

When we rented the office we didn't forget to perform a puja. He never forgot to do that on any important occasion.

When we were working from Narsi Natha Street between 1958 and 1965, we always believed that Reliance would become a big company one day!

Dhirubhai was never short of confidence. He knew what he wanted and what he is doing. At Jaihind Estate, when I was living with him, he would often display his confidence. I lived with him for more than a year. After four months of our stay Kokilaben and Mukesh joined us at Jaihind Estate from Jamnagar. Kokilaben used to cook for all of us.

Dhirubhai had the habit of bringing home guests frequently and at a short notice she would cook for them too. In those days, our homes had no 'standing kitchen.' She used to prepare food while sitting on floor.

Earlier, when Kokilaben was in Aden with Dhirubhai she used to tie a rakhi on my brother Chanubhai's wrist, and later on mine too.

That's why Mukesh and Anil addressed me as 'Mama.'

I was Dhirubhai's favourite. He would call me Manu, Maniyo or Manu Sheth. The amount of love and affection that Dhirubhai and Kokilaben have given me overwhelms me. Kokilaben respected me as if I was her real brother.

I remember one relaxed evening at Jaihind Estate distinctively. While eating ghandhiya and sipping tea, Dhirubhai told me in chaste Kathiawadi: "Maniya, aa Mumbai ni andar ek, ek road par ek ek galiyon maan,ek ek thekane so-so rupiya, hazaar-hazaar rupiya ni noto na thokda padya chhe. Ane jena maan jigar hoi ne, ae aa paisa lai le! (Maniya, in this city of Mumbai in every lane and by-lane, in every nook and corner, there are bundles of hundreds and thousands of rupees lying around. Whoever is courageous enough can pick them up)."

And then he assured me: "Maniya, aapde te laishun! (Maniya, we will pick them up!)"

Don't miss the next part of this exclusive interview!