Reliance Jio won 4G spectrum in 2010 amid much hype and fanfare. It made headlines in media for months. After all, the 4G services were supposed to usher in a new digital revolution in India. Similar to what mobile technology did to telephony in last decade.

What is the current status? Even after four years, its 4G services are non-starter. The hype and optimism of ushering a new revolution has started fading away.

I am sure Reliance Jio’s ego must have been hurt. How can MUKESH BHAI fail?

                                                               

After all it was Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance that gave India its first nation-wide state-of-the-art pan India private telecom network in last decade. Though there were competitors, only Ambani had guts and vision to make huge investment on infrastructure.

In fact, he should be given credit to usher in voice telephony revolution in India. Through Monsoon Hungama, in 2003, he removed entry barrier by slashing mobile hand set prices. And the tariffs were so low that poor could also afford it. Competitors had no option but to follow Reliance. Telecom penetrated to small towns, villages and lower strata of society.

When this was happening, the NDA ministers were busy with “India Shining”. Otherwise they could have coined the word “Telecom Inclusion” and taken all the credit.

But what went wrong this time? How can India’s most successful entrepreneur fail?

There was soul searching in the Reliance group.

Finally, the company realized that it was due to Nadi Dosha.

Now, it had to look for remedy. It started looking for an astrologer who could find solution for Nadi Dosha. Fortunately, it didn’t have to look out. There was an in-house astrologer who had proven track record.

This is the true story behind Shanker Adawal, The Astrologer, being given the responsibility of heading Reliance Jio’s regulatory division in Delhi. He is at the helm of group’s telecom regulatory affairs after about six years.

Jokes apart, Adawal played an important role in Reliance’s smooth network roll out in the first decade of 21st century. By handing over the responsibilities to him again, the company has reposed faith in him. It may be expecting similar results.

Many senior bureaucrats and executives swear by his knowledge of palmistry. Today morning, one former bureaucrat told me how accurate Adawal’s predictions were.

PS: Adawal was totally sidelined in the group for last six years. Anyone else would have left the organization. I am sure he was able to predict his future in the group and continued with it. Now again, he has an important assignment. This proves he is a great astrologer. His website is www.shankarsastro.com