Mukesh, Anil welcome Padma Vibhushan to Dhirubhai Ambani

New Delhi: Ambani brothers Mukesh and Anil Monday hailed the government for choosing their father and founder of Reliance Group, late Dhirubhai Ambani, for the Padma Vibhushan award, saying the late business tycoon was the "greatest entrepreneur and wealth creator in the history."

Dhirubhai Ambani, along with construction magnate Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, Maruti Udyog Chairman R C Bhargava, Sun Pharmaceutical founder Dilip Shanghvi and MasterCard chief executive Ajaypal S Banga were among those chosen for this year's highest civilian awards.

Describing Dhirubhai as "the greatest entrepreneur and wealth creator in the history of India", Anil said, "The true legacy of Dhirubhai lies in the inspiration that he continues to provide to millions of young people, who are dreaming impossible dreams, and setting out to achieve their entrepreneurial ambitions."

"The Padma Vibhushan awarded to Shri Dhirubhai Ambani is an honour to indomitable spirit of Indian entrepreneurship, innovation and ambition to always do better than the best in the world," Mukesh Ambani said.

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the award, Anil Ambani said "In his lifetime, Dhirubhai created and shared more wealth with Indians than anyone before or since."

Stating that it was a very proud day for him and the one lakh-plus employees of Reliance family, Mukesh Ambani said, "We take this opportunity to rededicate ourselves and to contributing to building a modern and self-reliant India in which all our citizens are assured equal opportunity to attain their fullest potential."

"On behalf of the Reliance family, we express our grateful thanks to the Government of India for the recognition awarded to Shri Dhirubhai Ambani for his contribution to the nation," he added.

Anil Ambani said: "In this special moment of joy and pride, we at the Reliance Group rededicate ourselves to DHA's lifelong ideals of nation-building and value creation."