Dr. Ram Buxani, the chairman of ITL Cosmos Group, passed away in Dubai on Sunday at the age of 83. Arriving in the UAE by ship in November 1959 at just 18 years old with only five rupees to his name, he went on to build a billion-dirham empire through relentless dedication and hard work. Dr. Buxani was not only a successful entrepreneur who started his business from scratch but also a renowned philanthropist and community leader who contributed significantly to charitable causes both in the Emirates and internationally. He was one of the first businessmen in the UAE to receive a Golden Visa in 2019. Dr. Buxani was also involved with the India Club, chaired the Indian High School, and founded the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC). Rising through the ranks at ITL Cosmos Group, he eventually became chairman and expanded the group aggressively into sectors such as hospitality, IT, F&B, and other emirates. In an earlier interview with Khaleej Times, he reflected on his journey, stating, "As a young man with dreams, coming from India to this dynamic nation, it welcomed and bestowed upon me everything one could ever ask for. In a place like Dubai, opportunities abound for everyone, and with sincere dedication and hard work, success is attainable for all." Over his six-decade-long career, Dr. Buxani had an encyclopedic knowledge of Dubai’s growth, noting, "These years have been quite a journey, witnessing Dubai’s fluctuations and transformations. The city, once defined by dunes, has now evolved into a technological hub and a melting pot of cultures. This country has been incredibly generous to me." As a successful businessman, he played a crucial role in strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties between the UAE and India. His philanthropic contributions included a Rs6 million donation to earthquake victims in Gujarat in 2011, serving as a board member of Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities, and being the president of the Rotary Club of Jumeirah (Dubai). He was also a permanent trustee of the Indian Institute of Sindhology, Adipur, and a director of Chinmaya International Residential School, Coimbatore. Dr. Buxani founded the Overseas Indians Economic Forum (UAE) and was a member of the India Club. Suresh Kumar, chairman of Emeritus and a friend of Dr. Buxani for four decades, described him as "a complete person," noting his affection for his family, business, and professional community, and his establishment of many institutions for community benefit. Dr. Buxani is survived by his wife and three daughters. In his biography 'Taking the High Road', Dr. Buxani honored his heritage and inspired younger generations, offering advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. He emphasized the importance of adaptability and effort in achieving success, stating, "I often stress that it’s best not to aim to be an elephant. Rather, be like a bird — soar and explore. While we have aspirations and goals, destiny also plays a significant role. We can’t control everything. To summarise, I firmly believe that our fortunes are tied to luck, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t exert effort."