Dhirubhai Ambani breathed his last in Breach Candy hospital at the age of 69 years. He was admitted to the hospital 13 days before when he had suffered massive heart and brain strokes. He had gone in ‘Coma’. It was his inbuild will power that his body waged a survival battle for 13 days. The doctors he was being treated by admitted that considering gravity of the twin strokes his resistence to death was remarkable. Even in the state of coma every cell of his body refused to accept defeat. His battle for survival was as grim as his campaign to stay afloat in times of crisis in the industry.
Dhirubhai died on July 6, 2002 a little time before the midnight. The news of his death spread a shock wave across the country. It happens when a country’s big name or a most sccessful person who has become an iconic figure dies. Some kind of universal chemical reaction takes place into the human bodies creating a peculiar chilling effect and the minds are benumbed. The people can’t accept the death of their iconic figure as if he were beyond natural phenomena. The death of Dhirubhai Ambani created similar shock effect.
All those connected with Reliance Group were grief stricken. The loss was inconsolable. For the share holders of Reliance whose number was in millions, it was very sad news because to them Dhirubhai Ambani always meant good news to them who used to put smiles to their lips. The associates, staff and workers of Reliance companies felt orphaned. He was like a protective father figure for them. A power house had shut down and a gloom had spread. All those mourning people were till now a part of Dhirubhai’s dream. Ironically the dreamer had departed and the charaters of his dream were left behind to deal with the real world.
His mortal body was placed at his residence at Sea Wind building to enable the people and visitors pay their homage to the departed soul. The mourners poured in to file past his body and have a last glimpse of him. The crowds included associates, workers, investors, admirers and V.I.Ps.
Dhirubhai’s last rites were performed in Chandanbadi crematorium. For the funeral procession police had made special traffic arrangements along the routes. The security measures had also to be made.
condolence to the bereaved family
Dhirubhai Ambani’s body was kept at Sea Wind (39, Cuff Parade) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 7, 2002 for his last view and floral tributes.
The funeral procession was scheduled to proceed through Karve Road, Marine Lines station to the cremation ground of Chandanbadi. It was all planned just like he used to meticulously plan his dream projects.
At 5 p.m. in the evening his body was consigned to the flames. At the cremation ground all the female folk of the Ambani clan were present besides the male members. The elder son Mukesh set the funeral pyre on fire with a torch in solemn and grave atmosphere. As the flames leapt up to screen the mortal body of Dhirubhai Ambani tears rolled off the eyes of mourners present there and cries bade him final goodbye.
