Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani appeared visibly emotional during the Jio Platforms listing ceremony in Mumbai on Wednesday, as his children Anant and Isha Ambani paid tribute to the family’s founder, Dhirubhai Ambani, and reflected on the values behind the group’s rise.

The ceremony coincided with a strong stock market debut for Jio Platforms on October 28. The company’s shares listed at Rs 1,359 apiece on the BSE and NSE, marking a 21.36% premium over the issue price of Rs 1,119.

As Anant spoke about his grandfather’s early struggles and the family’s journey from modest beginnings to building a business empire, Mukesh was seen wiping tears from his eyes.

Recalling Dhirubhai’s roots in Chorwad, Gujarat, Anant described how his grandfather’s ambitions took shape despite limited resources. He spoke of Dhirubhai’s time working at a petrol pump in Aden, highlighting how the entrepreneur went on to build a major business group without the financial backing or connections that might have made the journey easier.

Anant presented his grandfather’s story as an example of how an ordinary Indian could aspire to achieve extraordinary success through determination and hard work.

Anant links Reliance’s growth to the dream of a stronger India

Moving from Dhirubhai’s legacy to the next generation, Anant spoke about Mukesh Ambani’s ambition to position India as a global leader. He cited the refinery at Jamnagar, among the world’s largest, as an example of what sustained investment and bold thinking could accomplish.

He then turned to Jio, describing the telecom and digital platform’s journey as an effort to make internet access available to people across the country.

For Anant, the listing represented more than a financial achievement. He described it as an occasion to acknowledge the people whose work and support had contributed to Jio’s growth.

“Today, Jio is shared with India,” he said, likening the ringing of the stock exchange bell to the sound of a temple bell and drawing a comparison between business and worship.

He also used wordplay around the company’s name to describe the affection and encouragement Jio had received from Indians. “Jio ko pure desh ne duae di. Maa ne kaha, Jio mere laal. Dadi ne kaha, Jug jug Jio. Aur dosto ne kaha, Jio yaar,” he said.

The remarks reflected how the word “Jio” had become part of everyday expressions, with mothers, grandmothers and friends using it in affectionate or celebratory ways.

Digital access and the people behind Jio

Anant also highlighted the wider impact of digital connectivity, pointing to opportunities for content creators to reach large audiences and for people to access specialised services more easily.

He credited Jio’s employees and frontline workforce for helping build the business, thanking engineers, technicians, service teams and retail partners for their contribution.

Anant also acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India vision, linking the company’s digital expansion to the broader ambition of improving connectivity and access to technology across the country.

Isha Ambani remembers Dhirubhai’s belief in ordinary Indians

Isha Ambani also paid tribute to her grandfather during the ceremony, recalling his belief that ordinary Indians should have an opportunity to participate in the country’s economic growth.

Her remarks echoed the theme of the event: that Reliance’s journey was rooted not only in entrepreneurial ambition but also in the idea of expanding opportunities for Indians.

The listing marked a significant milestone for Jio Platforms, while the family’s speeches placed the occasion in the context of Dhirubhai Ambani’s legacy, Mukesh Ambani’s ambitions and the workforce behind the company’s expansion.