Basant Kumar and Sarala Birla at their home on Saturday. Picture by Bishwarup Dutta

Basant Kumar Birla, the patriarch of the Birla family, was looking resplendent in a bright orange kurta-pyjama when Metro caught up with him at his residence at Birla Park on Saturday, his 69th wedding anniversary.

The 90-year-old found time in his busy schedule — his engagements for the day included a lunch with Rajashree Birla (daughter-in-law and mother of Kumar Mangalam Birla), Jayshree Mohta and Manjushree Khaitan (daughters) and Vidula Jalan (granddaughter) — to speak about matters personal and professional with wife Sarala by his side.

Also present was Rashme Sehgal, the author of Basant Kumar & Sarala Birla: Life has no full stops, a biography of BKB launched by Dev Anand later in the day.

Many happy returns of the day to both of you. You are looking fresh and young. How do manage to do that at this age?

BKB: Thank you. I will tell you the secret of managing to look young. It has to be the grace of God. I am 90 and she (Sarala) is 86. How else can you explain this?

I am sure your wife has a role to play, too.

SB: No no, I have no hand in this matter. As he said, it is God’s blessing.

BKB: (Stopping her) Of course, she has a role to play. She is like 100 and I am 80. I come from office and discuss everything with her. I take her opinion. If she says it is right, then I go ahead. If she says no, I don’t.

So you are the de-facto chairman of the BK Birla group?

SB: No (smiling). I am very weak in accounts!

You have had such a wonderful career as an industrialist. What do you think is your biggest achievement?

BKB: Well, I don’t think it is just business. You know the Birla family contributes a lot to the social sector. In Calcutta alone, we run 11 schools.

Perhaps you know about (BITS) Pilani. My father started it and then it came to me and now one of our family members looks after the institute. I think education is the most important thing and I am happy for contributing towards it.

What has been the happiest moment of your life?

BKB: My marriage (both laugh). What else? She is still my guide.

And the saddest moment?

SB: Please don’t ask this question. You know what it is. Aditya... (BKB’s son Aditya Vikram Birla died young)

How do you think Kumar Mangalam is doing in the hot seat?

SB: Oh, he is doing very well. He is wonderful.

BKB: At this age (43), he has expanded business to 23 countries. Can you believe it?

So you think he is the one who will carry forward the legacy of the Birlas?

SB: Oh yes. Much more than that. He is so down to earth. It is such a pleasure to be with him and his wife and children. He took up the reins when Aditya died. He was only 28 then.

But you have been asking him for a long time to take over the control of Kesoram Industries and Century Textiles...

BKB: He said I should continue as long as I can. When my father GD Birla offered Aditya Hindalco, he told the same thing to his grandfather. So the tradition continues.

How do you want to be remembered? What will be the legacy of B.K. Birla?

BKB: Education. I want to be remembered for spreading education. And as an honest person with integrity.

Sambit Saha

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