Vaman Srinivas Kudva

Born On: June 9, 1899
Born In: Mulki, Karnataka
Died On: June 30, 1967
Career: Journalist, Social Leader, Industrialist
Nationality: Indian

Known for establishing one of the oldest and commercial banks in India, Vaman Srinivas Kudva was one of the founding directors of Syndicate Bank, launched as Canara Industrial and Banking Syndicate Limited. With just a capital of Rs. 8000, Kudva, along with other founders Upendra Ananth Pai and T.M.A. Pai, extended the business to over 20 banks within few years of its establishment. With the change of its name to Syndicate Bank in 1964, the company expanded its business to all over India and overseas as well. Apart from the establishment of this commercial bank, Kudva had been involved in several other social activities through setting up industries for the common man as a source of living. Kudva is popularly known as "Karmayogi" by the people of Mangalore and Dakshina Kannada, who remember him for his unexceptional endeavors and extreme hardships faced throughout life.

Early Life
Vaman Srinivas Kudva, or V.S. Kudva for short, was born in the panchayat town of Mulki in Dakshina Kannada district of Indian state of Karnataka. His was a conservative and traditional Gowda Saraswath Brahmin (GSB) family that was known as the Mulky Kudvas in his hometown. He was brought up in a simple environment with primary education at Mulky and high school education at Udupi. His father Srinivas Ramachandra Kudva ran a small handloom unit in Mulky and began a hardware shop on relocating to Udupi in 1908. Kudva completed his intermediate studies from Government College, Mangalore in 1918 and went to Bombay to pursue a course in mechanical engineering from Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute (VJTI). Despite being a topper for three continuous years, he gave up his studies as a mode of support to Gandhiji's Non-Cooperation Movement. As such, he traveled back to Udupi in 1921 and volunteered as a teacher in a national school started by Congress Party.

Career as an Industrialist
Kudva began an engineering workshop in Udupi between 1922 and 1926, following which he went to Mangalore in 1926. On being invited by V.S. Kamath, the then Managing Director of The Canara Public Conveyance Co. Ltd. (CPC Co. Ltd.), Kudva joined the company as works manager. On Kamath's death in 1932, Kudva became the General Manager of the company. Later in 1938, he was selected as Managing Director which he held until 1966. It was during his tenure that the company reached extensive growth and success, thereby generating heavy revenues and earning name and fame across the nation. During this period, Kudva realized that Indian required more industries to create employment. With this, he established The Canara Sales Corporation Ltd. in 1938, followed by The Canara Motor & General Insurance Co. Ltd. in 1941. This was not all as Kudva founded The Canara Workshops Ltd. in 1943 through which he started manufacturing automobile leaf springs in 1950. The leaf springs were branded under the name Canara Springs. Kudva set up another factory in Nagpur to meet with the increasing demands in North India. However, this unit was shut down in the 1960s due to undisclosed problems faced by the company. To produce the leaf springs, raw materials were imported. As such, Kudva thought about starting a mini steel plant to manufacture the desired spring steel in the country itself. Therefore, a mini steel plant was materialized that constituted of 5 metric tonne electric arc furnace, vertical continuous casting machine, and rolling mill. To add on, Kudva began The Canara Tyre & Rubber Works Ltd. in 1947, followed by several other transport concerns over the years.

Career as a Journalist
Kudva was very keen into journalism since his student days. This proved right when he started editing the Kannada Weekly "Sathyagrahi" in 1922. Later in 1923, he took up the job of an editor in Kannada Weekly "Swadeshabhimani" which he continued till 1924. Apart from being associated with various industries, Kudva set up The Newspaper Publishers Pvt. Ltd. in 1941 which started the publication of Kannada daily newspaper "Navabharath". While serving as an editor, he gained high recognition and respect from Kannada journalists that later resulted in the Akhila Karnataka Journalist conference in Mangalore.

Career as a Social Leader
Kudva founded the Canara Industrial and Banking Syndicate Ltd. (now called Syndicate Bank) in 1925, along with T.M.A. Pai and Upendra Ananth Pai in Mangalore (now Udupi). It is deemed to be one of the oldest and major commercial banks of India which was nationalized on July 19, 1969 by the Government of India. He was selected as the President of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industries in 1948, which he continued for the next three years. He was one of the major supporters for bringing the weather port and airport to Mangalore, along with his good friend U. Srinivas Mallya. Further in 1955, he established the Canara Foundation for employing loan scholarships to students for continuing their higher technical education in foreign countries. Yet again in 1960, he joined hands with U. Srinivas Mallya and set up the Karnataka Regional Engineering College, now known as National Institute of Technology, Karnataka (NITK), at Suratkal.

Establishment of Rotary Club
Kudva brought the first Rotary Club to Mangalore for which he held the position of Charter President for quite some time. He then became and held the post of the President of several other companies and social organizations, namely, S.K. Development and Welfare Board, Small Scale Industries Association, and S.K. Village Industries Association. During his lifetime, Kudva made numerous trips across India and abroad, particularly during a time when traveling to foreign lands was difficult and unusual. In 1951, he went to the Middle East, Europe, and United States. Later in 1960 and 1963, he traveled yet again to Europe, United States, and Japan.

Personal Life
Kudva married Shantha, daughter of V.S. Kamath, in 1928. The couple had five sons and one daughter.

Death
Vaman Srinivas Kudva passed away on June 30, 1967 at the age of 68 years.

Timeline
1899: Was born on June 9 in Mulki, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka
1918: Completed schooling from Government College, Mangalore
1918: Took admission in Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute (VJTI), Bombay
1921: Quit studies and went back to Udupi to support Non-Cooperation Movement
1922: Started editing the Kannada Weekly "Sathyagrahi"
1923: Turned editor in Kannada Weekly "Swadeshabhimani"
1925: Co-founded the Canara Industrial and Banking Syndicate Limited
1926: Went to Mangalore and joined as works manager in CPC Co. Ltd.
1928: Married Shantha
1932: Became General Manager of CPC Co. Ltd.
1938: Turned Managing Director and held the position till 1966
1938: The Canara Sales Corporation Ltd. was set up
1941: Established The Newspaper Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
1941: The Canara Motor & General Insurance Co. Ltd. was launched
1943: Founded The Canara Workshops Ltd.
1947: Launched The Canara Tyre & Rubber Works Ltd.
1948: Elected as President of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industries
1950: Began manufacturing of automobile leaf springs under the brand Canara Springs
1955: Founded the Canara Foundation
1960: Established Karnataka Regional Engineering College at Suratkal
1964: Canara Industrial and Banking Syndicate Limited changed to Syndicate Bank
1967: Died on June 30 in Mangalore, aged 68
1969: Syndicate Bank was nationalized on July 19

Kasturbhai Lalbhai

Born On: December 19, 1894
Born In: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Died On: January 20, 1980
Career: Industrialist
Nationality: Indian

Very few people are able to achieve a meticulous working system and win the appreciation of a very large number of people. Kasturbhai Lalbhai was one such prominent industrialist who was successful in attaining the honor of a nationalist businessman and a renowned magnate, a tribute that is often related with another business tycoon G.D. Birla. Right from stabilizing his father's yet-to-be established business to instituting a vast business empire, Kasturbhai worked throughout his life with immense hard work, dedication, honesty, and determination, thereby keeping his family business ongoing, ever since his ancestor Shantidas Zaveri began in the Mughal Era. Apart from setting up numerous companies in various industries, he was also associated with establishing new institutions to promote education in the country.

Early Life
Kasturbhai Lalbhai was born in a Visa Oswal Jain family, belonging to a temple town named Osian in Rajasthan, in Ahmedabad. He was the second of the three sons and belonged to a reputed family running their own textile mills in Ahmedabad. He completed his schooling in 1911 in Ahmedabad. However in 1912, his father Lalbhai suffered a serious heart attack and died, leaving 17-year old Kasturbhai in charge of his father's share of the business. Just a few days before his death, his father had divided the property amongst his brothers. As such, Kasturbhai received Raipur Mills in his share but since the business was not fully established at the time of his father's death, Kasturbhai had to abandon his studies to look after the operations of the mills.

Struggle as a Businessman
To start off with, Kasturbhai began working as a timekeeper in the mill but was unhappy with the job profile. Thus, he started working with the suppliers and traveled far and wide to understand the supplier market. After the end of World War I, he managed to stabilize the operations of the firm due to the increasing demands. His far-sighted vision, sincerity, and devotion helped him reach the highest position in the industry and community. He was elected as a Representative of Mill Owners Association to the Central Legislative Council of 144 members constituted under Montague-Chelmsford Reforms Act 1919 at a young age of 29 years.

Kasturbhai served in the council for a three-year term. Further in 1924, he was appointed as a member of the Standing Committee of Department of Industries and Labor of Government of India. With the right kind of experience and knowledge of operations, he was able to gain recognition in the management of the mill and became famous for his abilities of handling dealings. He became the chairman of the mill in January 1928 and established a new company named Saraspur Mill Ltd. to run the old mill. Henceforth, there was no looking back for this determined and powerful man as he turned into a successful industrialist establishing a large empire in the coming years.

Flourishing Years
The first large scale textile mill was established as Asoka Mills in 1920 with a capital of Rs. 20 lakh, at a time when the largest mills were built with a capital not more than Rs. 5 lakh. With the Swadeshi Movement in its peak time during 1930-31, Kasturbhai saw this period as the most effective time for prosperity and growth. Hence, he set up Arvind Limited in 1931 with a capital of Rs. 25 lakh. He later founded three mills for the families of his three sisters, Aruna Mills in 1928, Nutan Mills in 1931, and Ahmedabad New Cotton Mills in 1938. With gradual expansion, Kasturbhai was able to rule over the textile industry, thereby becoming a great business magnate in the country.

After tasting success in the textile industry, he diversified his business into other fields as well after independence, such as dyes, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and so on. His first diversification was Anil Starch Limited in 1939, followed by Atul Products Limited in 1952 for producing textile-related chemicals and dyestuff. With a wide business spread over the country, Kasturbhai formed joint ventures with foreign companies through Atul. He formed Ciba-Geigy called Cibatul, with American Cyanamid called Cyanamid of India, and with ICI of UK called Atic Industries.

Building Institutions
Kasturbhai was elected as the President of Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries in 1934 and the President of Ahmedabad Mill Owners Association in 1935. From 1937 to 1949, he served as the Director of Reserve Bank of India and took steps to groom the Indian employees to run operations in independent India. Apart from handling responsibilities for expanding his business across India, he was also involved in promoting institutions that served both the country and the industry. He established the Ahmedabad Education Society in 1936, along with Sheth Shri Amrutlal Hargovindas and Shri Ganesh Mavlankar. This society was later transformed into Gujarat University. It was this society that donated land for establishing the prestigious Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) in 1961. He, along with Vikram Sarabhai, was the main face behind instituting IIM-A. Though he was amongst the board of members, he refused to become the chairman. Today, IIM-A has a Kasturbhai Lalbhai Management Development Center and a Kasturbhai Lalbhai Chair in Entrepreneurship.

Later, Kasturbhai worked as the Chairman of Industrial Committee of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Fund. In 1948, he founded the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai College of Engineering to promote technology and engineering, adjacent to Gujarat University. In 1949, he founded the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries, thereby becoming its Founder-President. From 1955 to 1965, he served as the chairman of Indian Institute of Technology. In 1957, he was elected as the Governing Trustee of Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust. He was appointed as the Trustee of Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, Member of Indian Investment Centre, and Member of Board and Governing Body of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. He founded the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology in 1962, which is an encyclopedia of manuscripts, rare books, and microfilms on various subjects. In 1972, Sankat Nivaran Society was jointly set up by Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Ahmedabad Mills Owners' Association. With this, Kasturbhai became the President of the society.

Honors & Awards
In 1952, when Kasturbhai founded Cyanamid of India with American Cyanamid, to become India's first modern dyestuff manufacturer, the company was inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan Award by the Government of India in 1968.

Death
Due to his declining health, he retired from his services in 1977 and handed over the responsibilities to his relations. He died on January 20, 1980 in Ahmedabad, aged 85.

Timeline
1894: Born on December 19 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
1911: Completed matriculation
1912: Father died and took over the Raipur Mills
1920: Established Asoka Mills
1923: Elected as Representative of Mill Owners Association to the Central Legislative Council
1924: Appointed member of Standing Committee of Department of Industries and Labor of Government of India
1928: Formed Saraspur Mill Ltd.
1931: Founded Arvind Limited
1934: Elected President of Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries
1935: Appointed President of Ahmedabad Mill Owners Association
1936: Founded the Ahmedabad Education Society, known as Gujarat University today
1937-49: Served as Director of Reserve Bank of India
1939: First diversification company Anil Starch Limited formed
1948: Set up the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai College of Engineering
1949: Founded Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries; became Founder-President
1952: Established Atul Products Limited
1961: Co-founded the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), with Vikram Sarabhai
1962: Established the Lalbhai Institute of Indology
1968: Honored with Padma Bhushan Award
1972: Sankat Nivaran Society was launched
1977: Retired from business responsibilities
1980: Died in Ahmedabad on January 20, aged 85

S.L. Kirloskar

Born On: May 28, 1903
Born In: Sholapur, Maharashtra
Died On: April 24, 1994
Career: Entrepreneur, Industrialist
Nationality: Indian

What had started off with a small bicycle business by his father and uncle, emerged as one of India's flourishing business ventures, thanks to the ingenuity and business mind of Shantanurao Laxmanrao Kirloskar, S.L. Kirloskar for short. Right from oil engines and electric motors to machine tools and tractors to hotels and consultancy services, the Kirloskar Group has set its foot in all branches across the world. A man of both Indian and international stature, Kirloskar expanded the Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. throughout India and gave it a global perspective. A man of principles, strong thoughts, and unending struggles, Kirloskar successfully established a golden age for Indian industry and the country on the whole. Today, he is believed to be one of the best role models for young industrialists who are keen on following his footsteps.

Early Life
Shantanurao Laxmanrao Kirloskar was born as the eldest child to Laxmanrao Kirloskar and Radhabai in Sholapur, 220 miles southeast of Bombay. He was born in the Karhade Brahmin family of the Kirloskars, scattered over the southern portion of Bombay presidency. He was followed by brothers, Rajaram, Prabhakar, and Ravindra, and sister Prabhavati. His father and his uncle, Ramchandrarao had set up the Kirloskar Group and the township of Kirloskarwadi on March 10, 1910. The company then ran a bicycle business in Belgaum, now in Karnataka. Shantanurao received his primary education from Aundh and joined New English School in Poona for the rest of his schooling. In 1922, he went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, in USA to pursue his bachelor's of science degree in mechanical engineering. He returned back to India in 1926 and was one amongst the batch of first Indians to graduate from MIT, the other being Chintalapati Satya Narayana Raju.

Career
On his return to India in 1926, Kirloskar Brothers was already making plows to establish the company. With the entry of junior Kirloskar, the company expanded and extended the manufacturing of diesel engines, the most popular products amongst them being pumps, electric motors, and other engineering equipment. Such was his courage and confidence that Kirloskar turned the family business into one of India's largest companies and an energetic exporter. After the end of World War II, Kirloskar spread the Kirloskar Group on a national level and later globally. This became evident with the establishment of Kirloskar Electric Company at Bangalore and Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited at Pune in 1946.

During the period 1950 to 1991, Kirloskar raised the company generating one of the highest growth rates in Indian history. The group, during that phase, exhibited an unbelievable 32,401% growth of assets. Presently, Kirloskar Group is the largest engineering conglomerate in India. Amongst the numerous companies set up by Kirloskar, some of them include Kirloskar Oil Engines, Kirloskar Ferrous Industries, Kirloskar Pneumatic Company, Kirloskar Ebara Pumps Ltd., Kirloskar Construction and Engineers Ltd., SPP Pumps, and Gondwana Engineers Ltd. Apart from attending and managing the Kirloskar Group, Kirloskar served as the first president of Indo-American Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he also worked as the director of Reserve Bank of India and Industrial Development Bank of India.

Personal Life
S.L. Kirloskar was married to Yamuna (fondly known as Yamunatai), daughter of Rangnath Pathak. The couple had two sons, Chandrakant Kirloskar and Srikant Kirloskar.

Death
S.L. Kirloskar died on April 24, 1994 in a hospital in Pune after a stroke. He was 90 years old.

Honors
Rajiv Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India released a commemorative postage stamp to honor the Kirloskar Group's 100th anniversary, in 1988. In 2003, a memorial postage stamp was yet again released by the then Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on the birth centenary of Kirloskar.

Timeline
1903: Born in Sholapur, Maharashtra
1922: Went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
1926: Completed mechanical engineering degree and returned to India
1946: Established Kirloskar Electric Company in Bangalore and Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited in Pune
1988: Memorial postage stamp released on the occasion of Kirloskar Group's 100 years
1994: Died on April 24 in Pune, aged 90
2003: Honored with a commemorative postage stamp as his 100th birth anniversary

Gulshan Kumar

Born On: May 5, 1956
Born In: Delhi, India
Died On: August 12, 1997
Career: Businessman, Film Producer
Nationality: Indian

While the music industry was still lacking the much-needed appreciation to get popular amongst the masses, an ordinary man named Gulshan Kumar entered from nowhere and raised the industry to its unbelievable heights. By presenting the general public what it wanted, Gulshan Kumar successfully infused life and energy into the music industry. Beginning with selling of audio cassettes and later, producing them at cheap rates so that they were made available to all classes of people, Kumar established a vast music empire, only to rule Bollywood. As if this was not enough, Kumar got involved in producing movies and launching several new faces to the Indian cinema that have turned into distinguished celebrities today.

Early Life
Gulshan Kumar was born as Gulshan Dua into a Punjabi Arora family in the heart of the capital city, Delhi. His father was a fruit juice seller in the Daryaganj market in New Delhi. That’s where Gulshan started earning his life in his early days. At the age of 23, he, with support from his family, acquired a shop and started selling records and cheap audio cassettes. This was just the beginning of the career of a music baron. With the music business producing fruitful profits, he started producing cassettes himself.

Music Business
Gulshan Kumar then started his own audio cassette operation known as “Super Cassettes Industries”, which turned into a profitable organization later on. To add on, he began a music production company in Noida, near Delhi. To cover up the overpriced poor-quality audio tapes marketed and sold by reputed music companies, Gulshan Kumar started selling the 1970s music cassettes with a decent quality at cheap rates. As his business started growing, he began exporting good-quality music cassettes to abroad. Soon, he became a millionaire and rose to the top of music business. With an aim of ruling Bollywood just as he did with music, he moved to Bombay. He introduced religious music cassettes at extremely low prices with the aim of promoting religion amongst Hindu fellows. He had even made and produced movies and serials pertaining to Hindu mythology.

Film Career
His first movie in Bollywood was “Lal Dupatta Malmal Ka” in 1989. The film had romantic melodious and catchy songs which declared the movie a great hit. Next came the big musical blockbuster “Aashiqui” in 1990, starring Rahul Roy and Anu Agarwal, which is still remembered for the romantic and harmonious music. Although his next two movies, “Bahaar Aane Tak” and “Jeena Teri Gali Mein” didn’t fair well, the music of both the movies was highly appreciated. His 1991 “Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi”, featuring Aamir Khan and Pooja Bhatt, grossed an average overall earning, but its music was a big success. With this, Gulshan Kumar established himself as the music tycoon in the film industry. His other movies included “Ayee Milan Ki Raat”, “Meera Ka Mohan”, and “Jeena Marna Tere Sang” which failed on the box office.

Introduction of New Talents
Gulshan Kumar was known not only as the ruler of music in Bollywood, but he also introduced several new talents to the film fraternity. He launched his younger brother Krishan Kumar in the 1993 movies “Aaja Meri Jaan” and “Kasam Teri Kasam”. However, both of them proved to be major duds. Despite the discouragement received from both the movies, Gulshan went ahead and made a third movie with Krishan “Bewafa Sanam” in 1995, which became a massive hit, particularly for its music. This film also brought the, then, struggling singer Sonu Nigam into limelight. Apart from Sonu Nigam, other young talented signers introduced to the music world by Gulshan Kumar include Anuradha Paudwal, Vandana Bajpai, and Kumar Sanu, amongst several others.

Launch of T-Series Music Label
Established by Gulshan Kumar, Super Cassettes Industries Limited (SCIL) became the topmost music company in India. He founded the T-Series music label, under the same music company, which eventually turned into one of the top music labels in India. Today, T-Series is the largest producer and publisher of music and videos in the country. It runs the business of publishing original soundtrack from movies, remixes, old devotional songs, new-age albums, melodies from the 1960s, and pop hits of the 1990s. It not only covers over 60% of the Indian music market, but also exports music to 24 countries across six continents. With over 2500 dealers in India, T-Series has the largest distribution network.

Social Life
Apart from being a prominent personality in the film media, Gulshan Kumar set an example for Indian businessmen by donating a part of his wealth to the community. He established a bhandara, serving free food to the pilgrims who visited the Hindu shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. He was the top tax payer for the financial year 1992-93. Word has it that he got involved with the Indian Mafia, or the Mumbai Underworld, known for financing Bollywood movies. He refused to succumb to the extortion demands, which was why it is believed that he was shot dead.

Death
Gulshan Kumar was shot dead outside Jeeteshwar Mahadev Mandir, a Hindu temple in Jeet Nagar in Andheri West suburb of Mumbai city on August 12, 1997. Although the police accused Nadeem of music-director duo Nadeem-Shravan for planning the assassination, on January 9, 2001, Abdul Rauf confessed on receiving money for assassinating Gulshan Kumar. On April 29, 2009, Rauf was sentenced to life imprisonment, rather than death sentence, on the grounds of failing to provide evidence of him being a contract killer. Gulshan Kumar was later cremated in Delhi, as per his family’s wishes.

Legacy
After Gulshan Kumar’s death, his son Bhushan Kumar took over Super Cassettes Industries Limited. His daughter, Tulsi Kumar, is a celebrated playback singer.

Movies Produced
Laal Dupatta Malmal ka, 1989
Bahar Aane Tak, 1990
Aashiqui, 1990
Jeena Teri Gali Mein, 1991
Aye Milan Ki Raat, 1991
Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, 1991
Meera Ka Mohan, 1992
Jeena Marna Tere Sang, 1992
Aaja Meri Jaan, 1993
Kasam Teri Kasam, 1993
Bewafa Sanam, 1995
Jai Maa Vaishanav Devi, 1995
Char Dham, 1998
Papa - The Great, 2000

Timeline
1956: Born on May 5 in Delhi
1979: Started a music shop selling records and audio cassettes
1989: Produced first Bollywood movie “Lal Dupatta Malmal Ka”
1993: Launched younger brother Krishan Kumar with “Aaja Meri Jaan”
1995: Introduced singer Sonu Nigam with “Bewafa Sanam”
1997: Shot dead in Andheri West, Mumbai on August 12, aged 41

Aditya Vikram Birla

Born On: November 14, 1943
Born In: Kolkata, West Bengal
Died On: October 1, 1995
Career: Industrialist
Nationality: Indian

The grandson of the legendary G.D. Birla, Aditya Vikram Birla was one of the most inspirational and outstanding industrialists that India has ever had. His innovative ideas and marvelous abilities helped India to expand trade to foreign countries, thereby leaving an indelible mark on the corporate landscape. He was one of the first Indian industrialists to set up the largest multinational empire, thereby creating India’s first truly global corporation. Apart from carrying forward his grandfather’s legacy, he introduced the concept of “sustainable livelihood”, wherein he taught people to work and feed themselves and their families for lifetime rather than simply living on the food given. With this, he not only gained name and fame amongst the masses but also set an example for other businessmen to learn from him. With his magnificent and phenomenal efforts to develop his business across India and overseas, he became the new face of Indian business - professional, modern, and forward looking.

Early Life
Aditya Vikram Birla was born to the industrialist Basant Kumar Birla and Sarala Birla in Kolkata in West Bengal. He was the grandson of the legendary G.D. Birla, a prominent industrialist and founder of the vast Birla industrial empire. The latter had good terms with Mahatma Gandhi and began his fortune with building the popular Ambassador car and aluminum prospecting. Aditya received his formal education from Kolkata and graduated in science from St. Xavier’s College. He then went to United States to pursue higher studies in chemical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Career Life
After Aditya completed his degree course in chemical engineering, he returned to India and was handed over a part of Birla Company to run. Not to be satisfied with just that, he started his own textile business with Eastern Spinning Mills that became an instant hit in Kolkata. With this, he put the company’s sinking rayon and textile business back on track. This was, however, just the beginning as he showed immense interest and paved the group towards success with every assignment handed over. Aditya’s next challenge was the expansion of the group’s oil sector which again was a victorious attempt. However, with Indira Gandhi’s socialist ideas of preventing foreign trade, importing world-class technology, and expansion of old plants, Aditya concentrated on Indian rayon with accepting bigger challenges of taking it worldwide. Instead of moving towards the West, Aditya focused on the east and set up Indo-Thai Synthetics Company Ltd. in Thailand in 1969, thereby launching the group’s first overseas company.

Flourishing Years
After the flying success of Indo-Thai Synthetics Company Ltd., Aditya established P.T. Elegant Textiles for manufacturing spun yarn in Indonesia in 1973. This was the company’s first venture there. In 1974, he incorporated the group’s Viscose Rayon Staple Fiber as Thai Rayon in Thailand. In the following year in 1975, the first Indo-Filipino joint venture producing spun yarn was established with The Indo Phil Group of Companies in The Philippines. Over the next few years, Aditya launched several more companies and joint ventures throughout the Southeast. He established Pan Century Edible Oils in Malaysia in 1977, which later became the world’s largest single-location palm oil refinery. In 1978, he launched the group’s first carbon black company, Thai Carbon Black in Thailand and in 1982, P.T. Indo Bharat Rayon in Indonesia. These were just some efforts that transformed the Birla Group into a blooming blue-chip company and one of India’s largest business conglomerates. Aditya, himself became one of India’s foremost businessmen. With immense profits from overseas joint industrial ventures, Birla Group became the largest multinational company set up by a resident Indian industrialist. By the 1980s, Aditya had established 19 companies in South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Contribution to India
It was under the dynamic and influential leadership of Aditya Birla that the company was able to intensify and firm its presence in the core sectors. Even before the word globalization was included in India’s dictionary, Aditya set up a global business empire, thereby placing India on the world map in 1969. Under his guidance, the companies were making immense profits in key sectors of textiles, cement, aluminum, chemicals, fertilizers, fiber, financial services, sponge iron, software, and petro-refinery. Aditya is said to be highly responsible for building and improving the country’s commodity business. With the marvelous success of his Grasim, Hindalco, Indian Rayon, and Indo Gulf Fertilizers, he helped several companies prosper.

Though his companies had over 70,000 employees, Aditya was actually generating indirect employment for more than 2 lakh people. Such was the contribution and prosperity brought to India that Aditya helped in earning respect for the “Made in India” quality stamp. Besides giving name to one of the largest industrial empires in India, Aditya Birla served as the director of Reserve Bank of India, Air India, and The India Fund. He had been a member of the Economic and Trade Mission to Japan led by late L.K. Jha in 1985. Further, he even served as a member of the Trade Mission led by the Indian Finance Minister in 1992. He was appointed as a director on the boards of Industrial Credit and Industrial Corporation, Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd., and Bajaj Auto amongst other organizations.

Personal Life
Aditya Vikram Birla was married to Rajshree. The couple had two kids, daughter Vasavadatta (married to Kushagra Nayan Bajaj), and son Kumar Mangalam (current head of the Aditya Birla Group).

Death
Aditya Birla was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1993, thereby transferring the responsibilities of the group to wife and son. He was admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, United States for treatment and died after four months of struggle on October 1, 1995, at the age of 51, leaving the entire Birla Empire under the charge of his young son Kumar Mangalam.

Honors & Awards
Outstanding Young Person Award by Bombay Metropolitan Jaycees, 1978
Outstanding Citizen Award by North Bombay Jaycees, 1984
Man of the Year Award by Amravathi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 1985
Giant International’s Award in the filed of Business & Industry, 1986
Business Leadership Award by Madras Management Association, 1990
Businessman of the Year Award by Business India, 1990
Management Man of the Year Award by Bombay Management Association, 1992
Rashtra Bhushan Award by FIE Foundation, 1992
Platinum Jubilee Rotary Award for contribution to industry by Rotary Club of Calcutta, 1994
Vocational Excellence Award by Rotary International, January 1995
Lifetime Achievement Award by All India Association of Industries, January 1996
Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Phenomenal Growth of the Indian Cement Industry by All India Management Association, September 1996
Melvin Jones Fellow Award for Dedicated Humanitarian Services by Lions Club International Foundation
Paul Harris Fellow Award by Rotary Foundation of Rotary International

Timeline
1943: Born in Kolkata, West Bengal
1965: Completed chemical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and returned to India
1965: Started Eastern Spinning Mills in Kolkata
1969: Set up Indo-Thai Synthetics Company Ltd. in Thailand
1973: Established P.T. Elegant Textiles in Indonesia
1974: Incorporated Thai Rayon in Thailand
1975: Launched The Indo Phil Group of companies in Philippines
1977: Set up the world’s largest single-location palm oil refinery, Pan Century Edible Oils in Malaysia
1978: Established Thai Carbon Black in Thailand
1982: P.T. Indo Bharat Rayon launched in Indonesia
1985: Conferred upon the Man of the Year Award by Amravathi Chamber of Commerce & Industry
1990: Awarded Businessman of the Year Award by Business India
1995: Died on October 1 from prostate cancer in Baltimore, USA, aged 51
1996: Bestowed with Lifetime Achievement Award by All India Association of Industries

Shobhana Bhartia

Achievements - Daughter of renowned industrialist KK Birla, Shobhana Bhartia is the vice-chairperson as well as the editorial director of the Hindustan Times group, which is among India's major newspaper and media houses. In the year 2001, she received the Outstanding Business Woman of the Year award.
Born - 1957.

 

Born in the year 1957, the daughter of renowned industrialist KK Birla and grand daughter of GD Birla, Shobhana Bhartia is the vice-chairperson as well as the editorial director of the Hindustan Times group, which is among India's major newspaper and media houses. This lady holds the credit of raising Rs 400 Crore via public equity launch of the HT Media group in the year 2005. Till the year 2004, the Birla family owned 75.36 per cent stake in HT Media.

Here's more information about the biography of Shobhana Bhartia, who graduated from the Calcutta University and later, wedded Shyam Sunder Bhartia. This particular gentleman is the chairman of the Rs 14 billion Jubilant Organosys Limited, a Pharma company. Shamit Bhartia, their son, is also a member in the HT Media group. At the same time, he operates lifestyle businesses like Domino's Pizza franchise in the country and a convenience store chain in Bangalore city.

At the time when Shobhana Bharatiya became a member of the Hindustan Times in the year 1986, she was the very first woman chief executive of a national newspaper and in all probability, also among the youngest. Shobhana Bhartia is regarded as one of the crucial people there who played a pivotal role in revamping the image of the Hindustan Times into a "bright and young paper". The life history of Shobhana Bhartia's career is full of achievements.

Shobhana was nominated the member of the upper house of the Indian Parliament i.e. the Rajya Sabha. Shobhana Bhartia was also handed the Global Leader of Tomorrow award by the World Economic Forum in the year 1996. Then again in the year 2001, she received the Outstanding Business Woman of the Year award. The National Press India Award was given to Shobhana in the year 1992.

Sulajja Firodia Motwani

 

Joint Managing Director of Kinetic Engineering Ltd, she is the in charge of the Company's overall business developmental activities. She is also very well performing the role of the Director of Kinetic Motor Company Limited and Kinetic Marketing Services Limited. Well, we are talking about Sulajja Firodia Motwani. In this article, we will provide you with the biography of Sulajja Firodia Motwani, who has made an incredible contribution in making the firm reach heights of success.

She is a fitness person, who is very conscious about her health. She is very particular about carrying out one or the other activity for keeping fit and active. She has always been enthusiastic about sports, especially badminton. She has played badminton on the national level. She is also very fond of pursuing adventurous sports like skiing & scuba diving. She tries to spend as much time as possible with her five year old son Sidhant. Read on to know the complete life history of Sulajja Firodia Motwani.

Prior to joining Kinetic Company, Sulajja worked for a period of four years with a well known investment analytics company, BARRA International, based in California. She has been an active participant in setting the operations of the company in India. Throughout her studies, she has been a rank holder. She has always cleared exams with merit. Her name appeared in the toppers list in the SSC examinations and HSC examinations. She graduated from the Pune University. Thereafter, she went to the United States for pursuing further studies. She is an MBA degree holder from the reputed Carnegie Mellon University at Pittsburgh.

She is an epitome of boldness and courage. With her strong determination and courage, she has been able to establish a niche for the firm in the business world. The Company has witnessed tremendous expansion during her tenure. From being a mere moped manufacturer, today, it has set its foothold in the industry as a manufacturer offering a complete range of two wheelers right from mopeds, scooters to motorcycles.

This major transformation can be attributed to the new competitive business strategy that the Company has adopted, which is driven by the market and customers. Kinetic Company has been constantly coming up with new models to cater to all segments of the society. Sulajja has been instrumental in designing and implementing the marketing strategies of the Company. In the recent times, Kinetic has collaborated with the well known Italian company, Italjet Moto. This acquisition has given full rights to the Kinetic Company to launch seven new scooter models in the country.

Kinetic is also working in partnership with Hyosung Motors of South Korea. This major collaboration has led to the launching of the most popular Kinetic Aquila and Comet. These motorcycles are very much in demand. Sulajja has played an active role in plotting the course of action for the Kinetic Company. For her great job, she has received many accolades. She has been called upon to deliver speech in a number of public forums.

"India Today", a well known magazine honored her by presenting her with the title of business "Face of the Millennium". It ranked her among the top twenty five business entrepreneurs of the country. She was presented with the Society Young Achiever's Award for Business in the year 2002. The same year, she was chosen as the "Global Leader of Tomorrow" by the World Economic Forum. In the year 2003, the Institute of Marketing and Management bestowed her with the award for excellent performance as the woman CEO. She also received the Young Super Achiever Award from the leading magazine "Business Today" in 2003.