History of Sunil Mittal

Sunil Bharti Mittal, born October 23, 1957 is an Indian businessman. Son of a politician, Sunil Mittal is from the town of Ludhiana in Punjab. A former student of Harvard Business School graduated from Punjab University. Son of a parliamentarian. Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Group Airtel - Indias largest integrated and the first private telecom services provider with a footprint in all the 23 telecom circles Sunil Bharti Mittal, The Chairman of Bharti Airtel, Indias largest Telecommunication Network is a worlds Top 10 Billionaire. In the past, I have posted the article about Sunil Mittal and his life history in the past. Here is the Article. Sunil Bharti Mittal & The History of AirTel Sunil Mittal is also Indias Top 10 Richest person. In the above article, I have mentioned his life history and how he founded Airtel in a great detail. I am sure that you will enjoy it a lot.

Sunil Mittal can be called as originator of cellular phone revolution in India. He is the founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Group and runs India's largest GSM-based mobile phone service. Sunil Bharti Mittal's father was an M.P. Sunil did not followed his father's footsteps. After graduating from Punjab University in 1970s, he set up a small bicycle business in Ludhiana in partnership with his friend. By 1979, Sunil Mittal realized that his ambitions could not be fulfilled in Ludhiana, so he moved out to Mumbai from Ludhiana.

In 1986, Sunil Bharti Mittal incorporated Bharti Telecom Limited (BTL) and entered into a technical tie up with Siemens AG of Germany for manufacture of electronic push button phones. Gradually he expanded his business and by early 1990s, Sunil Mittal was making fax machines, cordless phones and other telecom gear. In 1992, when the Indian government was awarding licenses for mobile phone services for the first time, Sunil Mittal clinched Delhi cellular license in collaboration with French telecom group Vivendi. In 1995, Sunil Mittal founded Bharti Cellular Limited (BCL) to offer cellular services under the brand name AirTel. Soon, Bharti became the first telecom company to cross the 2-million mobile subscriber mark. Bharti Cellular Limited also rolled out India's first private national as well as international long-distance service under the brand name IndiaOne. In 2001, BCL entered into a joint venture with Singapore Telecom International for a $650-million submarine cable project, India's first ever undersea cable link connecting Chennai in India and Singapore.

Sunil Mittal bags Philanthropist of the Year at Asian Awards

Indian telecom czar and Chairman and Group CEO of Bharti Enterprises, Sunil Mittal, has been named the Philanthropist of the Year by the Asian Awards for his contribution in the area of education for the underprivileged. Mittal, who started his career as a bicycle manufacturer, and is now heading the countrys leading business conglomerate, has been recognised for his contribution in the area of education for the underprivileged through the Bharti Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Bharti Group. The Asian Awards recognises and rewards exemplary achievement across 12 categories that include business, philanthropy, entertainment, culture and sport. The event was hosted on Tuesday at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, where filmmaker Yash Chopra made an appearance.

Sunil has received several awards including: awards

Transforming India Leader, NDTV Business Leader Awards 2008. GSMA Chairman's Award 2008.GSMA Chairman's Award 2008. Padma Bhushan in 2007, from the President of India.Padma Bhushan in 2007, from the President of India. Asia Businessman of the Year, Fortune Magazine 2006. Telecom Person of the Year, Voice & Data, 2006. CEO of the year 2005, at the Frost and Sullivan Asia Pacific ICT awards 2006.. Best Asian Telecom CEO, Telecom Asia Awards 2005. Best CEO, India, Institutional Investor, 2005. Business Leader Of The Year, Economic Times, 2005.

Entrepreneurial Ventures
A first generation entrepreneur. Started his first business in 1976 at the age of 18 with a capital investment of Rs 20,000 (US$1500) borrowed from his father. First business was to make crankshafts for local bicycle manufacturers. Closed in 1979 and moved to Bombay importing a variety of products -steel, brass, zinc, zip fasteners and plastics. Started a full-fledged business selling portable generators imported from Japan in 1982. First to bring portable generators to India.

Government banned the import of generators as two Indian companies were awarded licenses to manufacture generators locally and Sunil had to close is business. 1982 - First Step in Telecom Introduced the push button phones to India, , replacing rotary phones. Bharti Telecom Limited (BTL) was incorporated. Entered into a technical tie up with Siemens AG of Germany. 1990s - Started making fax machines, cordless phones and other telecom gear. 1992 - Turning Point. Awarding of licenses for mobile phone services for the first time by Indian Govt. Secured rights to serve New Delhi. 1995, Bharti Cellular Limited (BCL) was formed to offer cellular services under the brand name AirTel. Instrumental in bringing down the high STD/ISD, cellular rates in the country by rolling the countries first private national as well as international long-distance service. 2001- Entered into a joint venture with Singapore Telecom International for a $650-million submarine cable project. Countries first ever undersea cable link connecting Chennai in India and Singapore. Bharti Enterprises went public in 2002. Entry into Finance Sector. July 2007 - Joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and AXA Group of France. (world leader in financial protection and wealth management).

Retailing - November 2006, Sunil Mittal struck a joint venture deal with Wal-Mart, the US retail giant, to start a number of retail stores across India. Launched neighborhood format stores called "Easy Day". The stores are a one stop shop to cater to every familys day-to-day needs. Launched the Bharti Airtel's Digital TV. Partner with Narayanamurthy's Infosys Technologies to DTH service. Bharti Realty Private Limited - the in-house Real Estate Arm for Bharti Group - facilitates by extending support to the Group Companies for Identifying, Developing and Maintaining Quality Real Estate in line with their Business Models.

Philanthropic activities
Joined hands with the All India Football Federation and pumped in over a hundred crore rupees to help the country attain global standards in the sport. First step, the telecom company will start a world-class football academy, to be named 'Bharti-AIFF Academy. Wants a "football revolution" in the country and is ready to invest "any amount of money. Bharti Foundation Set up in the year 2000 with the vision, To help underprivileged children and young people of our country realize their potential. Initiated a School Improvement Program (SIP), where it works with government schools. In the process of setting up pre-primary and primary level schools under its Satya Bharti Schools program.

Joined hands with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi to establish the Bharti School of Telecommunication Technology and Management (BSTTM). Has committed Rs 20 crore towards BSTTM. Students enrolling in the institute, are completely funded by the the Bharti Foundations.