Industrialist K K Birla dies at 90

K K Birla, the eldest son of legendary Ghanshyam Das Birla and Maha Devi, would have turned 90 this October 18. He is survived by his three daughters — Nandini Nopany, Jyotsna Poddar and Shobhana Bhartia.

As one of the founders of the Indian sugar industry, K K Birla owned a clutch of sugar mills, India’s largest railway-wagon builder Texmaco, textiles major Sutlej Textiles & Industries, Chambal Fertilisers and the Hindustan Times media house.

Following the news of his death, a steady stream of VIPs and industrialists visited Birla Park, his residence, to pay their last respects. Among them were West Bengal’s Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi and Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi.

K K Birla, who had been a Rajya Sabha member for the past 18 years, usually shuttled between Delhi and Kolkata to manage his diverse businesses.

Sanjiv Goenka, Vice-Chairman of RPG Enterprises, said K K Birla’s passing away was a loss not only to Indian industry but also to the country.

“He was the sort of person that legends are made of,” Goenka said.

Y C Deveshwar, Chairman, ITC Ltd, said in a statement: “We have indeed lost a true son of India, whose tireless efforts have benefited many sections of society. His multidimensional contribution as an industrialist, a caring philanthropist, an astute parliamentarian and an eminent scholar leaves behind a rich legacy for many to emulate. Dr Birla’s passing away will leave a deep void in the industrial landscape of the nation.”

Ramesh Maheshwari, Texmaco’s president & CEO who has worked with Birla for the past 50 years, said he had been a very fit and disciplined person and never missed office for a single day. Maheshwari, said K K Birla had a very sharp memory and would not let anyone compromise on values and ethics.