The roots of the Aditya Birla Group go back to almost a century before independence and its role in India’s economic history is tied with the country’s quest for political freedom. The foundation of the Birla business empire, which was eventually divided among the members of the subsequent generations, was laid by Shiv Narayan Birla, who started cotton trading in Pilani, Rajasthan, in 1857.
In the early years of the 20th century, his grandson, Ghanshyamdas Birla, established businesses in critical sectors such as textiles and fibre, aluminium, cement and chemicals.
The Kolkata-based businessman became closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi and accompanied him to London on two occasions to attend the historic round table conferences. It was at a public prayer meeting in Birla house in Delhi in 1948 that Gandhi was shot dead by an assassin.
Grasim Industries Ltd, the flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, was incorporated on 25 August 1947, just 10 days after India became independent. The firm then manufactured textiles from imported raw materials. Grasim is now a global leader in viscose staple fibre.
And these tiny footprints have led this big empire to touch a million lives now. One may try, but one cannot get through without being touched by the Aditya Birla Group.
Comments