Early Life
Rajan Bharti Mittal, born in 1960, is a first-generation Indian entrepreneur. He comes from a family that, while not wealthy, was connected to politics. He graduated from Punjab University and later earned a master's degree from Harvard Business School.
Rise to Success
In 1980, Rajan, along with his brothers Sunil and Rakesh, co-founded Bharti Enterprises, initially an import business. The company later ventured into telecommunications, and Rajan played a key role in securing mobile licenses in 1992, which led to the launch of Bharti Airtel. He was promoted to Vice-Chairman of Bharti Enterprises in 2008 and took charge of the company's retail, cash and carry, and retail businesses. He has overseen the growth of Bharti Airtel to become one of India's largest mobile phone operators, with operations across South Asia and Africa. He also played a role in Bharti Global's investment in the UK satellite provider OneWeb.
Key Business Strategies
Rajan Mittal's leadership has focused on diversification and partnerships. Bharti Enterprises has expanded into financial services, retail, manufacturing, and real estate. Key strategies have involved partnerships with global corporations, including Google, Walmart, and AXA. His vision includes strategic planning and influencing policy within the telecom sector.
Philanthropy
Mittal and his siblings have pledged $1.1 billion to their charitable foundation, primarily for the establishment of a new university providing free education for the underprivileged.
