| Names |
GHANSHYAM DAS BIRLA |
| Date of Birth |
April 10, 1894 (Pilani Village, Rajputana, now
Rajasthan, India) |
| Date of
Death |
June 11, 1983 |
|
Profession / Traits / Activities |
Doyen of the Indian industry |
| Special Achievements
/ Events |
- He laid the foundation for the Birla empire
in the country.
- Founder of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (FICCI).
- His significant role in family business was to
shift away from money-lending to tangible business
activity of manufacturing and distribution.
- When World War I resulted in supply problems throughout
the British Empire, Birla's business skyrocketed.
- In 1926, he was elected to the Central
Legislative Assembly of British India.
- In 1940s, he established Hindustan Motors.
- After independence, he invested in tea and textiles
through a series of acquisitions of erstwhile European
companies.
- He also expanded and diversified into cement, chemicals,
rayon and steel tubes.
- During the Quit India movement of 1942,
he had conceived the idea of organizing a commercial bank
with Indian capital and management, and the United
Commercial Bank Limited was incorporated.
- He was a close associate and a steady supporter
of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Gandhi was staying at Birla's home in
New Delhi when he was assassinated, having lived there for
the last four months of his life.
- He also founded several educational institutions.
Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences (BITS)
Pilani has today evolved into one of India's best
engineering schools.
- He also established many temples,
planetariums, and hospitals.
|
| Awards &
Accolades |
1957: He was awarded India's second
highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan by
the Government of India. |
|
