Sunil Bharti Mittal was born on 23 October 1957 in Ludhiana, Punjab, India, into a Punjabi Agarwal family. His father, Sat Pal Mittal, was a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and a prominent politician. Sunil, however, was more inclined toward business than politics.
He completed his schooling in Ludhiana and later graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Science from Arya College, Ludhiana (Punjab University). Right from his college days, Sunil displayed a sharp entrepreneurial mindset and was keen on building something of his own.
Early Business Ventures
Sunil Mittal’s journey as an entrepreneur began at the young age of 18, when he borrowed ₹20,000 from his father and started a small cycle parts business in 1976. He manufactured crankshafts for bicycles and successfully sold them to local traders.
In 1980, looking for larger opportunities, he moved to Mumbai and started an import business of portable generators from Japan’s Suzuki Motors. However, when the Indian government banned the import of generators in 1983, Sunil had to think of a new path. This setback proved to be a turning point in his career.
Founding of Bharti Enterprises
In 1984, Sunil Mittal founded Bharti Telecom Limited (BTL), which initially manufactured push-button telephones in collaboration with Siemens AG of Germany. At that time, India was still using old rotary phones, and his innovation became a game-changer.
This marked the beginning of Bharti Enterprises, which would later expand into multiple sectors including telecom, retail, financial services, agri-business, and real estate.
The Telecom Revolution – Airtel
Sunil Mittal’s biggest breakthrough came in the early 1990s. When the Indian government announced licenses for mobile telephony in 1992, Sunil Mittal seized the opportunity. He acquired the license for mobile operations in Delhi and launched Bharti Airtel in 1995.
Under his leadership, Airtel became the largest mobile network operator in India and one of the biggest globally, offering affordable mobile services that transformed communication in India.
- Airtel introduced the “minutes factory” model, outsourcing network and IT operations to global firms like Ericsson, Nokia, and IBM. This innovative model allowed the company to scale rapidly while keeping costs low.
- Today, Airtel operates in 18 countries across Asia and Africa, serving over 500 million customers.
- It is known for being a pioneer in low-cost mobile services, which contributed significantly to India’s digital revolution.
Other Ventures
Apart from telecom, Sunil Mittal diversified Bharti Enterprises into:
- Bharti Infratel – one of the world’s largest telecom tower infrastructure companies.
- Bharti Retail – a venture in organized retail, including a partnership with Walmart in India.
- Financial Services – through Bharti AXA Life Insurance and Bharti AXA General Insurance.
- Agri-Business & Real Estate – expanding into multiple sectors while maintaining a strong focus on telecom.
Philanthropy
Sunil Bharti Mittal is equally respected for his philanthropic work. Through the Bharti Foundation, he has contributed immensely to education and social causes.
- The foundation runs the Satya Bharti School Program, providing free education to underprivileged children in rural India.
- It has established several institutions, including Bharti Institute of Public Policy at the Indian School of Business and Bharti School of Telecommunication Technology and Management at IIT Delhi.
- In 2020, he and his family pledged a large part of their wealth for philanthropic purposes, especially in education and sanitation.
Awards and Recognition
Sunil Bharti Mittal’s contributions have earned him numerous national and international honors:
- Padma Bhushan (2007) – India’s third-highest civilian award.
- GSMA Chairman’s Award (2008) for outstanding contribution to global mobile telephony.
- Forbes Asia Businessman of the Year (2006).
- Featured multiple times in Forbes list of World’s Billionaires and among India’s richest individuals.
- Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Personal Life
Sunil Bharti Mittal is married to Nyna Mittal, and they have three children – twin sons Kavin Bharti Mittal (founder of the messaging app Hike) and Shavin Bharti Mittal, and daughter Eiesha Bharti Mittal.
Despite his global success, Sunil is known for his humility and simple lifestyle. He credits his achievements to vision, timing, and hard work.
Legacy and Influence
Sunil Bharti Mittal is widely regarded as the man who democratized mobile telephony in India, making it accessible to millions at affordable prices. His vision helped India leapfrog into the digital age, bridging the gap between urban and rural communication.
He is often called the “Telecom Tycoon of India”, and his company Airtel remains a leader in innovation, from mobile connectivity to digital payments and broadband services.
Conclusion
From a small bicycle parts business to building a global telecom empire, Sunil Bharti Mittal’s journey is a story of vision, resilience, and determination. He not only transformed India’s telecom sector but also made a lasting impact on education and philanthropy.
Today, he stands as a symbol of entrepreneurial spirit and social responsibility, inspiring millions of aspiring business leaders across the world.
