Meet The Ambanis...

Celebrated Social Observer, Columnist and Media Personality Malavika Sangghvi Walks Down Memory Lane, Revisiting Her Personal Association With the Ambanis and Affording an Insight Into What It Takes to Be the First Family of Corporate India
 

The first time I set eyes on either Nita or Mukesh Ambani was at their wedding reception in 1985. The Ambani patriarch Dhirubhai Ambani, having challenged the prevailing status quo, was already the pre-eminent industrialist of his day. Naturally, his eldest son Mukesh’ s wedding would be not just well attended; it was de rigeur for anyone with any credible aspiration to status in public life.

This is where I was introduced to the young couple. Since then, our lives have crossed many times, given that we are more or less the same age, live in the same area of the city and thus, products of the same schools, restaurants, clubs and social circles.

At that time, the Ambanis lived at Usha Kiran and it was here, in the early 1990s, that I and my former husband had been invited to dine with Mukesh and Nita. Being preternaturally maternal and kind, Nita had extended the invitation to my new-born son Raaj, understanding that I would be loathe to leave him behind at home.

The evening was characteristically warm and down to earth: a relaxed Mukesh, in his beloved white kurta pajama, a royal repast of Gujarati vegetarian fare on the table, easy bonhomie and intelligent banter. What had struck me, though, was the genuine delight Nita had taken in my child. Playing with him on his mat, enquiring about his routines and delighting in his laughter. Imagine my joy when the next morning a beautiful gift of a bright and cheerful wind up clown arrived at home, with a thoughtful note from our hostess.

Imagine the greater joy, when a few months later, I heard that Nita herself was with child and almost a year to that date, gave birth to her own twins, Isha and Akash.