He Was Born Amid Partition, Faced Collapse During The 1975 Emergency, Nearly Sold His Company For Rs 1 — And Still Built A Rs 30,910 Crore Empire W...

In

a world where start-ups come and go every other day, stories like these remind us that resilience can outlast recessions. Omkar Singh Kanwar’s journey—now trending across business circles and social media—is the kind that blends grit, risk, and sheer foresight. At a time when India was navigating its toughest economic phases, this man stood by his dream when even his father was ready to give it away for just Rs 1. Fast forward to today—Omkar Singh Kanwar is the man behind Apollo Tyres, an empire valued at over Rs 30,910 crore.

From Sialkot To Success

He started his journey in 1942 in Sialkot, Pakistan. His family, like millions of others, crossed the border and rebuilt life from scratch in India. His father, Raunak Singh, founded a pipe manufacturing business, setting the foundation for what would later evolve into a tyre revolution. Omkar completed his education in the United States and then returned to India in 1964 to join his family’s business. He didn't want to just continue the legacy, and with his hard work and dedication, Omkar started Apollo Tyres. The company was started in 1972 and went on to become one of India’s biggest tyre manufacturers.

When A Dream Was Nearly Sold For Rs 1

But success stories aren’t written without storms. During the Emergency in 1975, Apollo Tyres hit a financial wall. The economy was uncertain, industries were bleeding, and the company was struggling to stay afloat. Things reached such a point that Omkar’s father, Raunak Singh, was ready to sell the company—for just Rs 1. Omkar didn't let his family’s dream die, but he took charge of Apollo Tyres and he worked hard to rebuild it from the ground up—strengthening product quality, rethinking operations, and promoting a culture of innovation.

Building A Global Brand

Today, Apollo Tyres stands tall with seven manufacturing plants across the globe and a strong presence in over 100 countries. For the unversed, Apollo Tyres is also one of the major sponsors of the Indian Cricket Team’s jersey.But that's not all; Omkar didn’t stop there. He ventured into healthcare with the Artemis chain of hospitals, headquartered in Gurugram.

The Numbers Behind The Name

As per recent reports, Omkar Singh Kanwar has a net worth of USD 1.6 billion (Rs 14,046 crore). That's not all, under Omkar's leadership, Apollo Tyres has not only maintained profitability but also expanded into markets such as Europe and Africa.

Lessons From A Legacy

Omkar Kanwar’s life reads like a masterclass in leadership and resilience. From almost selling his company for Rs 1 to building a Rs 30,910 crore empire, he’s proven that perseverance can outlast any crisis. His journey continues to inspire entrepreneurs, dreamers, and leaders who believe that success isn’t about luck—it’s about the courage to hold on when everything else tells you to let go.

HIGHLIGHTS

Born in Sialkot (now Pakistan) in 1942; migrated to India post-Partition. Took charge of Apollo Tyres when it was on the brink of collapse. The company was once nearly sold for Rs 1 during the Emergency. Now leads an Rs 30,910 crore global tyre empire with 7 plants worldwide. Also established the Artemis chain of hospitals. Current net worth: USD 1.6 billion (approx. Rs 14,046 crore).