Latest news with #Indian-origin
News18
3 hours ago
- Business
- News18
Once A Milk Seller In Mumbai, Now Runs A Rs 10,000 Crore Empire: Rizwan Sajan's Journey
Last Updated: Starting small, Danube Group grew rapidly under Rizwan Sajan's vision, now posting $1.3B revenue with ventures in real estate, decor, and major projects across the Middle East The story of Rizwan Sajan—a teenager who once sold milk and stationery in the narrow lanes of Mumbai—is now a global source of inspiration. Today, he stands as the richest Indian-origin businessman in the UAE, with a net worth of around Rs 18,000 crore. He is the founder of the Danube Group, a global brand in building materials, real estate, and home décor. Born into a lower-middle-class family in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, Rizwan's journey was anything but easy. His father, a supervisor at Nathani Steel Private Limited, earned just Rs 7,000 a month, struggling to support four children. As the eldest, Rizwan walked 7–8 kilometres daily to attend school in Vidya Vihar. Life took a harsh turn when his father passed away when Rizwan was just 16, forcing him to take on the responsibility of supporting his family at a young age. Undeterred, Rizwan began selling books, stationery, and even delivering milk door-to-door. He recounted in an interview with Gulf News how challenging it was to manage school fees and household expenses. His relentless efforts and his uncle's support led to a job opportunity in Kuwait in 1981, where he started as a sales trainee earning Rs 18,000 monthly. How The Gulf War Changed His Life After eight years of hard work, Rizwan became a sales manager, but the Gulf War in 1990 disrupted his life again. Returning to Mumbai empty-handed, his resilience did not falter. He soon found work in a Dubai brokerage dealing in construction materials, where he gained crucial market insights. In 1993, he founded the Danube Group. Starting small, Danube Group quickly became a key supplier to the UAE's construction industry thanks to Rizwan's vision and business acumen. Today, the company's turnover exceeds $1.3 billion (around Rs 10,800 crore), with ventures spanning real estate, home decor, kitchen solutions, and infrastructure, including luxurious towers in Dubai and major construction projects across the Middle East. At 55, Rizwan Sajan's life is not just a tale of success but a narrative of resilience and integrity. Rising from Mumbai's slums to the billionaires' list in Dubai, he remains a beacon of hope for many aspiring youths with limited resources. Reports from Navbharat Times highlight his relentless hard work and determination that made him the wealthiest Indian businessman in the UAE. Personal Life And Philanthropy Rizwan resides in Dubai with his family and is actively involved in philanthropy. He supports numerous educational and health initiatives, particularly for children facing hardships similar to his own. Despite his immense success, his simplicity and humility remain his defining traits. First Published: June 26, 2025, 14:45 IST
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez join list of richest married couples; Here's how prenups for wealthiest people take place
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are now married. The duo exchanged vows in a black-tie wedding on the Italian island of San Giorgio Maggiore near Venice. Jeff Bezos got married to Lauren Sanchez in Venice. The 55-year-old Emmy-winning journalist's net worth is said to be around $30 million in 2025, according to Celebrity Net Worth.(AFP, Instagram/@laurensanchezbezos) On Friday, the 61-year-old founder of Amazon and the 55-year-old Emmy-winning journalist's lavish wedding celebrations saw several celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Kris Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Karlie Kloss, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gayle King, Orlando Bloom, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Usher, and Tom Brady. François-Henri Pinault, Queen Rania of Jordan, Bill Gates and his fiancée Paula Hurd, and fashion designers Tommy Hilfiger, Domenico Dolce, and Diane von Fürstenberg were among the other prominent attendees. Shortly after the wedding, Sánchez posted the first wedding photo to her Instagram handle. She and Bezos are seen holding hands and grinning in a garden while their friends watch and cheer for them. According to wealth management and family law experts who spoke to Business Insider, the couple is likely guaranteed to have a complicated prenuptial agreement. Bezos' net worth is estimated to be over $200 billion. Bezos, the founder of Amazon, wedded his first wife, MacKenzie Scott, in 1993 without a prenuptial agreement. Scott became one of the richest women in the world after receiving almost $38 billion in Amazon shares as a part of the divorce settlement. Also Read: Lauren Sanchez chose classic Dolce and Gabbana wedding gown to marry Jeff Bezos in Italy: It took over 900 hours to make What we know about prenups for ultra-high net worth couples Prenuptial agreements are getting more popular and are occasionally even required in family trusts for the ultrawealthy, Anne Paape, managing director and head of wealth planning at Cresset Capital told Business Insider. According to her, prenuptial agreements start with both parties completely declaring their financial holdings and debts In addition to relatives, they may include anybody from tax lawyers and business associates to luxury real estate agents and aviation specialists who assist in valuing properties and private aircraft, according to Brooke Summerhill, a divorce financial adviser who mostly deals with clients who are extremely wealthy. While Paape is unaware of the specifics of Bezos' possible prenuptial agreement, he stated that his circumstances are not wholly unusual. Summerhill stated, 'Bezos will absolutely have protection against anything that he could,' and he probably won't allow his pre-marriage assets to mix with Sánchez's. Also Read: What is Zohran Mamdani's net worth? All about Indian-origin New York City Mayoral candidate's earnings, properties What happens in the case of divorce or death? Bezos and many other business owners are concerned about protecting their companies in the case of a divorce or death. According to Paape, most of the wealthy people don't want to take the chance of granting an ex-partner enough shares to influence how the business is operated, BI reported. Sánchez would likely receive a lump sum amount, Amazon shares, and perhaps real estate in the event of a divorce, according to Summerhill and Raymond Hekmat, a Beverly Hills family law lawyer who specializes in prenuptial agreements. In the case of partner's death, the surviving spouse often obtains a lump sum amount or life insurance payout, but a final will and testament may supersede the prenuptial agreement, she added. Prenuptial agreements for the ultrawealthy have consequences that extend beyond the couple, whether it concerns who will inherit the Hamptons property or take over the family business. Notably, Sánchez has three children while Bezos and have four with Scott. What we know about Lauren Sanchez's net worth Sanchez's net worth is said to be around $30 million in 2025, according to Celebrity Net Worth. In May 2023, Bezos proposed to Sánchez by placing a stunning ring of 30 carat pink diamonds, worth somewhere between, $3 and $5 million, beneath her pillow on his $500 million superyacht Koru.
NDTV
6 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
JD Vance's Wife Got To Know Of His Veep Nomination 5 Minutes Before Public
Usha Vance, wife of JD Vance and Second Lady of the United States, has revealed she learned of her husband's vice-presidential nomination just 'five minutes' before it became public. 'It really was like a bolt of lightning. You don't have an opportunity to think about it, or even to plan what it is that you'd like to do,' Usha, who is of Indian-origin, said in a podcast with US author Meghan McCain. Usha Vance also faced questions about her role as the US Second Lady and the pressure of being the first woman of South Asian descent to be in that position. 'Maybe we've just sort of moved beyond trying to count firsts of everything. I'm not sure, except when older Indian people kind of give me that look,' Usha said. She also touched upon how her life changed since JD Vance became the Vice President. Usha said, 'People call you ma'am. No one's ever called me ma'am before this.' It was such a privilege to be able to sit down with our incredible @SLOTUS Usha Vance for her first long form on camera interview. She is already iconic and I loved getting to know her more personal side. If you haven't already watched, here it is! — Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) June 26, 2025 In July 2024, months ahead of the November presidential elections, Donald Trump announced 39-year-old JD Vance as his running mate. The announcement came on the first day of the Republican Party convention in Milwaukee. A former venture capitalist and an author from Ohio, JD Vance was once a strong critic of Trump, and was known for calling him 'America's Hitler' and an 'idiot' after the 2016 election. Much has changed since then. JD Vance turned into one of the most loyal supporters of Trump. He had even appeared in court to back Trump during his hush money trial. Vance is a graduate of Yale Law School and a US Marine veteran. Since Trump won the November 5 election, Vance's family has also been in the spotlight. Much of the attention has focused on Usha's Indian origins. Born in San Diego County, California, Usha is the daughter of Telugu immigrant parents. Usha's father is a mechanical engineer, and her mother is a molecular biologist from Andhra Pradesh. She has a BA degree in history from Yale University and an MPhil in early modern history at Cambridge. In 2010, while at Yale Law School, she met JD Vance and the couple wed in Kentucky in 2014. They have three children: two sons, Ewan and Vivek, and a daughter, Mirabel.
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Business Standard
7 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Startups use AI, omnichannel push to expand globally, reach deeper locally
As India's startup sector enters a new phase of growth, a wave of emerging companies is turning to artificial intelligence, omnichannel distribution and the creator economy to reach smaller domestic markets and expand globally. To mark World MSME Day, Meta has released a report commissioned from consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal India. The study draws on insights from interviews with 100 high-growth startups across the country. It identifies six key levers expected to shape the next chapter of Indian entrepreneurship. These include AI adoption, cross-border expansion, omnichannel strategies, deeper reach into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, category diversification and creator-led brand building. 'In today's dynamic times, startups that think smart and act fast to evolve will lead the charge,' said Sandhya Devanathan, Vice-President, India and South East Asia, Meta. 'At Meta, we're proud to be partners in this journey, equipping startups with cutting-edge AI-powered tools to help them scale and turn their bold ideas into impact.' Himanshu Bajaj, Managing Director and Head – Alvarez & Marsal India and GCC, noted that he is seeing a significant shift in how Indian startups think about scale — not just for pursuing growth but building more sustainable businesses that focus on value creation. 'AI, tiered expansion and omnichannel models are no longer future bets — they're foundational to execution today,' said Bajaj. 'What stands out is how early-stage startups are applying these levers with surprising sophistication.' Over 70 per cent of startups are now integrating AI across core business functions. 'We leveraged these cutting-edge tools to optimise our marketing campaigns, and the results have been nothing short of phenomenal,' said Shrawan Daga, Founder, Krishna's Herbal & Ayurveda. About 67 per cent of small firms have adopted omnichannel models to address modern customer journeys that span online discovery and offline purchase. 'Attributing online spends to walk-ins and offline conversions is the most critical aspect to driving an efficient omnichannel business while continuing to use digital as the primary advertising channel,' said Ayushi Gudwani, Founder, FS Life. The report said nearly all startups are expanding into Tier 2 and 3 markets to cater to high demand and existing supply gaps. 'India's next billion consumers are not waiting to catch up — they're leapfrogging,' said Swagat Sarangi, Co-founder, Smytten. 'In Tier 2 and 3 markets, relevance isn't about scaling down your offering, it's about showing up with empathy, accessibility and trust.' About 52 per cent of small firms are expanding cross-border, tapping into large addressable markets and global demand for Indian-origin products. The United States, the UAE and the United Kingdom emerged as the top export markets. 'We've successfully expanded our global footprint, achieving a remarkable 30 per cent higher ROI in new markets,' said Aakriti Rawal, Co-founder, House of Chikankari. According to the report, 84 per cent of startups have diversified beyond their core offerings. They are leveraging synergies across product lines, customer cohorts and distribution channels. 'As Noise expands globally and enters new categories, our focus is on building performance-oriented smart tech that takes the 'Make in India' story to the world,' said Gaurav Khatri, Co-founder and CEO, Noise. The report also finds that 88 per cent of brands now partner with creators — including niche influencers and celebrities — to build community-led storytelling. 'Working with creators allows us to tell real, relatable stories that build trust and emotional resonance,' said Suramya Jain, Co-founder, RAS.
NDTV
10 hours ago
- NDTV
Marriage Proposal, Rs 3.6 Crore Fraud: Indian-Origin Man Cheats Pune Woman
Pune: An Indian-origin man based in Australia has been arrested by Pune Police for allegedly creating a fake profile on a matrimonial website and cheating a woman here of Rs 3.6 crore after promising to marry her. Police on Thursday also appealed other women who might have fallen prey to a similar fraud by the conman, who posed as 'Dr Rohit Oberoi', to come forward and file a complaint. The accused, whose real name is Abhishek Shukla and who hails from Lucknow but holds an Australian passport, was arrested at the Mumbai airport on Wednesday. "The woman, originally from Delhi and currently living in Pune, had created a profile on a matrimonial portal, seeking a life partner. The accused contacted her sometime in 2023, befriended her, and won her trust by promising marriage," said Pankaj Deshmukh, Additional Commissioner of Police (crime). The two stayed together at various locations in Pune and other parts of India. "The woman had received Rs 5 crore as alimony from her previous marriage and was in the process of setting up a business focused on mindfulness and spirituality programs for children. Learning about her financial status, the accused lured her into a fake business proposal, claiming he would help take her venture to the international level and arrange funding," Mr Deshmukh said. Mr Shukla allegedly introduced the woman to two of his 'associates', 'Yvonne Handayani' and 'Vincent Kuan' who purportedly lived in Singapore, and convinced her to transfer money to various accounts in India and Singapore. Over a period, the woman transferred Rs 3,60,18,540, said the police official. Later, the accused claimed to have developed oral cancer, and gradually cut off contact with her. "In September 2024, the woman received an email from 'Vincent Kuan' stating that 'Dr Rohit Oberoi' had died. Suspecting wrong doing, she informed a friend, who alerted her to the possibility of a found out that she had been conned, and approached the Pune cyber police station in November 2024," additional commissioner Deshmukh said. The police ascertained that the accused's real name was Abhishek Shukla, and he was a resident of Perth, Australia. A case of cheating was registered and a Look-Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him. On Wednesday, police received information that he was arriving in Mumbai from Singapore. A team led by sub-inspector Sushil Damre apprehended Mr Shukla at the Mumbai airport and put him under arrest. "Technical analysis of the accused's digital activity showed he had messaged at least 3,194 women using the fake identity 'Dr Rohit Oberoi' through the matrimonial site. The scope of the fraud may be much larger, and further investigations are underway," Deshmukh said. Senior inspector Swapnali Shinde of Pune Cyber Police, who is investigating the case, appealed to the women who might have been conned by the accused to contact police through email ID and phone number 7058719371/75.
