MUMBAI: Three years after a rather bitter separation, the Ambani brothers are still at loggerheads over a host of issues. Among them is the supply of gas from the Krishna Godavari basin and most recently, over the deal between Reliance Communications and MTN. While these are large issues, there are still areas where things have been moving along smoothly. Sharing office space is one of them.
To go back in time, the demerger of businesses, which was announced in mid-2005, also resulted in which Ambani group would occupy which office property. This would be split between the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) and Mukesh’s group. The Ballard Estate office in South Mumbai — Reliance Centre — became the headquarters for Anil while brother Mukesh operated from the Maker IV office in Nariman Point.
While most issues relating to office space have been thrashed out, it now transpires that around 80 employees from Mukesh’s Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) are housed in brother Anil’s Reliance Centre office. Likewise, around 30 employees of ADAG continue to work out of the Maker IV establishment owned by brother Mukesh. Interestingly, the Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City (DAKC) premises in Navi Mumbai was at the centre of a dispute a while ago. While it was home to Anil’s Reliance Communications, it still had a large number of employees working for Mukesh. The separation was rather bitter, with RIL learning that many of its employees were asked to leave the DAKC premise at short notice.
Of course, in the midst of all this, there is still time for some friendship and respect for one’s privacy. “The past three years, have taught us to differentiate between work and friendship,” says an employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity. So, if you get a chance to step into the Ballard Estate office, it is not uncommon to see employees from both the groups sharing a meal or a cup of tea. In the midst of all this, there is still scope for a confidential conversation which is often in hushed tones.
Apart from just work, these employees are also neighbours at home. For instance, Chaitanya Towers in Prabhadevi and Naperol Towers in Wadala — both are upmarket properties located in Central Mumbai — are home to officials from both the groups. Their children go to the same school and share the same sporting and recreational facilities in the residential complexes.
Since, these employees worked for a long time in the unified Reliance Group for many years, they have made it a point to stick together as buddies. The probability of them getting to work together by the same car or watching a film too are things that cannot be ruled out. For these folks, it’s work as usual and more importantly, life as usual. Separation or no separation.
To go back in time, the demerger of businesses, which was announced in mid-2005, also resulted in which Ambani group would occupy which office property. This would be split between the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) and Mukesh’s group. The Ballard Estate office in South Mumbai — Reliance Centre — became the headquarters for Anil while brother Mukesh operated from the Maker IV office in Nariman Point.
While most issues relating to office space have been thrashed out, it now transpires that around 80 employees from Mukesh’s Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) are housed in brother Anil’s Reliance Centre office. Likewise, around 30 employees of ADAG continue to work out of the Maker IV establishment owned by brother Mukesh. Interestingly, the Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City (DAKC) premises in Navi Mumbai was at the centre of a dispute a while ago. While it was home to Anil’s Reliance Communications, it still had a large number of employees working for Mukesh. The separation was rather bitter, with RIL learning that many of its employees were asked to leave the DAKC premise at short notice.
Of course, in the midst of all this, there is still time for some friendship and respect for one’s privacy. “The past three years, have taught us to differentiate between work and friendship,” says an employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity. So, if you get a chance to step into the Ballard Estate office, it is not uncommon to see employees from both the groups sharing a meal or a cup of tea. In the midst of all this, there is still scope for a confidential conversation which is often in hushed tones.
Apart from just work, these employees are also neighbours at home. For instance, Chaitanya Towers in Prabhadevi and Naperol Towers in Wadala — both are upmarket properties located in Central Mumbai — are home to officials from both the groups. Their children go to the same school and share the same sporting and recreational facilities in the residential complexes.
Since, these employees worked for a long time in the unified Reliance Group for many years, they have made it a point to stick together as buddies. The probability of them getting to work together by the same car or watching a film too are things that cannot be ruled out. For these folks, it’s work as usual and more importantly, life as usual. Separation or no separation.
No comments:
Post a Comment