When it comes to carving a legacy out of virtually nothing, one would be remiss to not mention Pankaj Oswal and everything that he has built over the past two decades.
The Switzerland-based billionaire of Indian origin has slowly and steadily built a global empire that spans various industries, from petrochemicals and mining to real estate and fertilisers.
Pankaj is the son of late industrialist Abhey Kumar Oswal and is the first generation Oswal to live and set up large scale industrial projects outside of India. Oswal Group Global is a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate that has companies like PRO Industries PTE LTD. one of the largest ethanol plants in East Africa and Axis Minerals that contains one of the largest bauxite mining projects in West Africa. The industrialist was also the sole founder of Burrup Fertilisers in Australia, which is the world’s largest ammonia plant running till date. Its either “go big or go home” for this family and this stays true for even their family home in Switzerland.
Pankaj, along with his wife Radhika and two talented daughters, reside in a breath-taking villa in picture-perfect Switzerland. Villa Vari, their 200 million CHF home overlooking the Mt Blanc mountains, is one of the top 10 most expensive properties in the world designed by renowned interior designer Jeffrey Wilkes, who also created the illustrious Oberoi Rajvilas, Oberoi Udaivilas, and Leela Hotels.
The power couple’s daughters, Vasundhara and Riddhi Oswal, are also following in their father’s footsteps and carving a niche of their own in the world.
25-year-old Vasundhara already has an impressive list of accolades and merits to her name that too in a male dominated space- from being awarded The Asia One Global Youth Icon Award to being felicitated by Economic Times with the Inspiring Woman Of The Year Award. She is the executive director of PRO Industries, where she’s tasked with spearheading investment strategy and overall plant development. Not just this, she is also the director general of Axis Minerals, where she manages finances and government liaisons. She is self-confessedly hands-on as a leader and prefers to spend as much time as she can on-site as she does in her office.
Her sister, Riddhi who goes by the stage name Ridi, at just 18 years old is not far behind. The youngest Oswal is studying chemical engineering in one of the best universities in London and is making waves in the music industry as a singer-songwriter with some hit tracks in her discography- only singing what she writes is her motto. Ridi began her music career approximately one year ago and has already collaborated with famous producers like Mousse T and Sky Adams not to mention she has been signed onto major label Varick Street under Def Jam recently. The young teen is set to release some exciting pieces this year focusing on the Indo-Western genre that honours her cultural roots.
The Oswals balance their indulgent lifestyles, filled with private jets and luxury sports cars, by giving back in the same measure to society. Aside from their several philanthropic efforts, which include setting up roadways and drinking water facilities in underprivileged areas of Africa, the family backs several eco-friendly initiatives, like their 100 percent waste water recycling scheme and CO2 capturing plant at PRO Industries.
Vasundhara and Riddhi are also responsible for the world’s first youth-led anti-bullying, not-for-profit campaign called ‘Stop the B’, which was endorsed by acclaimed footballer Ronaldinho Gaucho. This led to Riddhi becoming the youngest-ever speaker at the UNESCO World Anti-Bullying Forum to talk about teenage mental health.
It’s abundantly clear how the Oswals are an example of continued perseverance and hard work leading to good fortune and the value of giving back.
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