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Our Legacy Inspires Us
The K.K Birla Group of Sugar Companies’ comprehensive profile underscores its impressive role in the sugar industry and its broader impact on various sectors. Here’s a succinct summary:
Industry Leadership: A major player in India’s private sector sugar industry, with a collective crushing capacity of 50,800 tonnes per day across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Since 1932, the group has leveraged decades of experience to become a leading sugar manufacturer, doubling its crushing capacity in the last decade through technological advancements.
Rural Impact: Engaging with over 50 million farmers, the group has a direct impact on 321,000 farmers’ livelihoods and employs around 6,000 workers across seven plants.
Community and Social Welfare: The group invests in societal welfare through demonstration camps, technical seminars, seed subsidies, loans, and the establishment of educational institutions. It also contributes to community development by building hospitals, temples, and other amenities.
Dr. Krishna Kumar Birla
Late Dr. Krishna Kumar Birla, born on 12th October 1918 in Pilani, Rajasthan, was the son of the legendary Late Syt. Ghanshyam Das Birla. His remarkable journey in the Sugar Industry began in 1940 when he emerged as one of the founding members of the Indian Sugar Industry. As the Chairman of Upper Ganges Sugar & Industries Ltd., The Oudh Sugar Mills Ltd., and Gobind Sugar Mills Ltd., he was instrumental in shaping the industry’s landscape. In 2002, he assumed the role of Chairman – Emeritus for all these companies, maintaining this position until his demise in 2008.
Dr. Birla’s entrepreneurial brilliance and unwavering dedication led to the establishment of the K. K. Birla Group as a distinguished business conglomerate in India. With interests spanning sugar, fertilizers, media, textiles, shipping, engineering, financial services, furniture, information technology, plantations, and infrastructure, the Group reflects his visionary leadership. His greatest achievement lies in earning the trust of millions of shareholders, employees, customers, and various stakeholders, contributing significantly to the Group’s phenomenal growth.
A Member of the Rajya Sabha for 18 consecutive years, Dr. Birla also served as the elected Sheriff of Calcutta in 1961. Honoured with a Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by Pondicherry University in 1997, he chaired prominent organizations such as the Indian Sugar Mills Association and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Dr. Birla’s contributions extended to education and philanthropy. He held the Trusteeship of the Birla Education Trust, overseeing schools and institutions offering subsidized education. As the Chairman of the prestigious Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) in Pilani and Dubai, he played a pivotal role. Establishing the K.K. Birla Foundation, he instituted annual awards for excellence in Indian literature, scientific research, and Indian philosophy, while the K.K. Birla Academy focused on research in scientific, cultural, and historical subjects.
An outstanding visionary, business leader, parliamentarian, and scholar, Dr. K. K Birla left an indelible mark in industry, education, politics, art, and culture. His autobiography, ‘Brushes with History,’ provides insights into the Birla family’s interactions with historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi and others. His legacy lives on, serving as an inspiration for many to follow. Late Dr. Krishna Kumar Birla, a multi-faceted personality, left for his heavenly abode on 30th August 2008, leaving behind a rich and enduring legacy. The Radhakrishna Temple in Kolkata and the G.D. Birla Sabhagar stand as testaments to his enduring contributions to society.