She’s serene, stoic and sincere; she’s also simple, straightforward and self-effacing –that’s Rajashree Birla up close .
Stoic, sincere and serene. These are some of the adjectives used to describe Ms Rajashree Birla, an Honorary member of the Rotary Club of Bombay and the leading light of one of India’s biggest industrial houses.
But is she really like that? Or is there another facet to her personality? One that shows her in a different light?
Yes, there is, and it was on display at the last meeting of the Club when she sat on a sofa that replaced the head table in the Crystal Room of the Taj Mahal Hotel. What emerged was a totally different person. One, who was simple, straightforward and, above all, self-effacing…
Steeped in the Indian milieu, the much-feted Ms Birla spent the after
noon with the members of the Club even though it was her birthday. (Another celebrated Indian, Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar, celebrated hers just a day before, on September 28).
And it was while "chatting" (live, and not on the net) with two women of letters that the simplicity and humility of Ms Birla emerged as if from a cocoon, much to the delight and surprise of the members who packed the Crystal Room.
Dr. Swati Piramal, author and well-known medicine-woman (she’s not only a doctor but also associated with a leading pharmaceutical firm), and Ms Tavleen Singh, also an author and a popular newspaper columnist, made an attempt to draw out Ms Birla with some gentle, probing questions about her life.
In the words of Mr. Ajay Piramal, another Honorary member of the Club who proposed the vote of thanks, Ms Birla came across as such an unassuming person that despite the evidence of the mounds of social work that she had been doing, she was hesitant to speak about it and preferred to give credit to others and not corner all glory for herself.
This quality was most loved by the Lord, as mentioned in the Gita, said Mr. Piramal, quoting the lines, "Those people are dear to Him, the people who bring humility first".
And Ms Birla epitomised humility, he pointed out.
To return to the afternoon’s programme, Ms Birla was introduced by Dr. Swati Piramal, who is Mr. Ajay Piramal’s spouse, as a simple girl who was born in Bikaner, brought up in Madurai and married into the Birla family at an early age.
Deeply interested in Carnatic music as a little girl (although she was never trained in it), music became her abiding passion and helped in healing her when tough times loomed, such as when she lost her husband, Mr. Aditya Birla, who was an industrial icon of his times.
Just as, first, her father-in-law and then her husband were top industrialists of their times, her son, Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, was today recognised as a leading industrialist.
Dr. Piramal said that the Birla family imbibed the great Indian values of liberty and freedom from the legendary G.D. Birla and from Mahatma Gandhi himself.
Ms Birla was a director of the Aditya Birla Group, a $28 billion group with over 100,000 employees, and was on the board of all major group companies such as Grasim, Hindalco, Aditya Birla Nuvo, Ultra-tech and so on.
Fifty per cent of the Group’s revenues come from abroad and Ms Birla was also a director on the board of the international companies in 25 countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Egypt.
However, away from all the accolades and encomiums earned by the group companies, Ms Birla found the time to fulfil her responsibilities as Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development through which she oversaw its social and welfare-driven work across 30 companies.
She had a strong sense of purpose because of which she could find fulfilment and meaning. "As the sage Patanjali said, ‘When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, your mind transcends all limitations’."
Ms Birla’s work touched seven million people through company or community initiatives. She looked after 3,700 villages and the 41 schools and 18 hospitals with which the group was associated.
Recently, she was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Award, the FICCI Golden Laurel Award, the ET Corporate Citizen award, the "Citizen of Bombay" award and so on.
Ms Birla’s commitment to Rotary was equally noteworthy. Her photograph, along with one of her husband, was recently put up in the Rotary Hall of Fame at the R.I. headquarters in the USA. She had made what was called a "million dollar speech" and had made liberal donations to help eradicate polio from the world.
Dr. Piramal recalled that when she was a young, just married bride, she was taking part in a fund-raising Mela but had no idea about how to go about the work at hand. Just then, Ms Birla and her husband, the late Mr. Aditya Birla, walked into the hall and helped her in "pricing" the goods. Most of them were tagged for Rs. 2 or Rs. 3.
She had found herself wondering, "What is he (Mr. Aditya Birla), among India’s greatest industrialists, doing here, sitting with us women and teaching us how to sell, how to market?" She had found that to be a truly endearing quality in the Birla couple.
Recently, while taking part in an IMC exhibition to raise funds for charity, she found herself doing something similar, that is, helping in the sale and marketing of many little
things for a good cause. She believed that this was the best way of returning the favour that had been bestowed on her 30 years ago by the late Mr. Aditya Birla.
Dr. Piramal recalled that Mr. Birla used to love Gujarati food and her mother would often cook his favourite dishes. But in spite of her busy schedule Ms Rajashree Birla never forgot to thank her mother.
"This is such a small thing, but most of us forget because of our busy schedules. But she (Ms Rajashree Birla) never forgets."
She then recited a poem in praise of belief and as a tribute to the human spirit of perseverance.
To believe is to know that every day is a new beginning
To trust that miracles happen and dreams do really come true
To believe is to see the angels dancing among the clouds
To know the wonder of a starlit sky and the wisdom of the man on the moon
To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart
The innocence of a child’s eye
And the beauty of an ageing hand
For it is through their teachings we learn to live
To believe is to find strength and courage that lies within us
When it’s time to pick up the pieces and begin again
To believe is to know that we are not alone
That life is a gift and it is our time to cherish it
To believe is to know that wonderful surprises are just waiting to happen
And all our hopes and dreams are within reach
Dr. Piramal then commenced the "chat" with Ms Rajashree Birla.
Dr. Swati Piramal: What are the values that you saw in your in-laws when you first came as a bahu (daughter-in-law) into a Marwari family? What are the values that you feel should be eternal and that you can pass on to your daughter and to your daughter-in-law so that they will last generations?
Ms Birla: I was married at a very young age. I was engaged when I was ten and married when I was 17. I was just a kid; therefore there were lots of things to learn. Every moment, every small thing was a learning opportunity for me.
I never knew that a family could be so active. My parents-in-law are really commendable. They are so active, full of energy and disciplined.
My mother-in-law gets up at 2.30 in the morning; she does her puja and other necessary things for the house and then she herself makes rotis for beggars. There were many such things and I learnt a lot from them.
Ms Tavleen Singh: I’m going to ask you about your involvement with corporate social responsibility. What saddened you the most when you started to work in this area and which you would have liked to change?
Ms Birla: When we worked in the villages, it was a very touching scene. Some of the villages did not even have basic amenities like water and electricity; many people did not have enough food. But now things have started picking up and I see that there is change. But there is still a long, long way to go. We really need to work for them.
Dr. Piramal: I remember you and Adityaji used to take part in the Sangeet Kala Kendra. Although such a big industrialist, he went to plays and music programmes… I once saw him making a painting. What was your vision? Were you doing it for relaxation? Was it your culture?
Ms Birla: I think he had imbibed a lot of qualities from his parents; they were also very fond of art and culture and had set up an institute called Sangeet Kala Mandir in Calcutta. It was my father-in-law who motivated us to do something similar here. Once you get into such things, you start enjoying it. So we got more and more involved.
My husband was a multi-faceted person. He would paint well, he would write well, he would sing well and even take part in dramas – in which he wasn’t good at all, but he would still do it!
Ms Singh: Many people say that in India conditions are bad because we as citizens, and not just corporate India, do not have a sense of social responsibility; we can walk by and not look. Do you think that’s true? Do you think there’s more that corporate India has to do?
Ms Birla: I think all the stakeholders have to take part, because although the government has a lot of schemes for the poor, they don’t reach the real beneficiaries. A lot of it leaks by the time it reaches the poor. I think if everything really goes to the beneficiaries, then India will be a very happy country.
I hope the new, unique ID scheme really makes a difference. Let’s hope for the best.
Dr. Piramal:You mentioned leakages. I think the one thing that the Rotary Club has been doing well is ensuring that help reaches those who need it the most. Their polio campaign has attracted you and you have contributed so much to it. Why did you choose polio? What did it mean to you?
Ms Birla: Actually, I didn’t know much about it. It was (my daughterin-law) Neerja’s father, Mr. Shambhukumar Kasliwal, who introduced me to Rotary. But slowly I got involved. I think polio can be eliminated if it’s done with perseverance and sincerity and if everyone joins hands. It’s something we can do; we can make the world free of polio.
Ms Singh: Next week you will become Chairperson of Assocham. There are some very simple things
that corporate India can do, for example, in the case of women’s health. We now have very good marketing skills available in India. Why has corporate India not done more to spread information?
For instance, you could spread information that if a woman takes one iodine pill worth 50 paise every day, India can be rid of anaemia. Why is corporate India not more involved in doing something as simple as saying that if a child has diarrhoea, he will be cured if givennimbu-pani? Would you like to get more involved in this?
Ms Birla: Yes, certainly, a lot can be done. There are many primary health centres. Corporates can take them over or help in running them. The structure of the primary health centres is there, but no real medical help is available. If we can guide them or get involved, it will be a really useful thing.
Dr. Piramal: We come from Rajasthan where one of the biggest problems is dowry and remarriage of widows. Are you trying to do something against these two evils?
Ms Birla: In Renukoot, where Hindalco is located, we had two to three mass marriages. Our social workers went to people and told them about the ills of the dowry system. They told them not to expect any dowry. And we did have mass marriages of about 150 couples. Some of them were widows.
Ms Singh: You said earlier that when you now go to villages you have noticed change. What change have you seen that has come about as a direct result of something you have done?
Ms Birla: I think the self-help groups are really picking up. They
empower the women, enabling them to take up any good activity such as tailoring and other things. This has empowered the women to take charge of their activities, to support their families. And they did look very happy. We (you were with us) also saw how happy they were, singing and dancing. But again, a lot has still to be done.
Dr. Piramal: How do you maintain the balance between family and work? You must be on the boards of 30 companies, going for board meetings, looking at a host of issues; at the same time you have your family, your grandchildren, your family circle and your friends whom you never forget. How do you balance all that?
Ms Birla: Should I let out a secret? All that part, the organising and so on, is taken care of by Neerja, my daughter-in-law. I am free to go to office and do the things that I want to do.
Ms Singh: What would you like to do in the area of corporate social responsibility that you feel you haven’t done so far? What is closest to your heart?
Ms Birla: I can’t think of anything right now, although there may be many things that I haven’t taken up. But I am happy to see that our group has joined hands with FICCI and started something called FICCI-Aditya Birla CSR Centre for Excellence. We hope to do a lot, using the FICCI networking. We will also get in touch with other corporates; they can take guidance or they can give us suggestions.
Dr. Piramal: I asked your friends (many of them are sitting in the audience here today) what was the one word, the one characteristic that they
would use for you. And they said, "serenity". How do you achieve that? You have had to face many difficulties. I remember some of your struggles and also the courage with which you faced them. How do you get that serenity? What tools do you use? Prayers? Yoga? Music?
Ms Birla: Actually, I am not as serene as I look. Just before coming here, I was quite nervous!
But I think when you get into something, when you have to perform, when you have to do (something), then nervousness goes away; and if you get fully involved in what you’re doing, then you’re just doing that and enjoying it.
Ms Singh: When I was in New York recently for the Clinton Global Initiative, an American journalist said to Mr. Ajit Gulabchand, the industrialist, who was with me, "Under your nose, in the city of Bombay, there is child trafficking into prostitution… it’s right there, just two minutes from the Taj Hotel! Why does corporate India not make more noise about this?"
I ask you the question, doesn’t it upset you that we are known as the country with the largest number of little girls that are sold into prostitution? They are trafficked as sex slaves. Is there anything you would like to do about this?
Ms Birla: Actually, I have never got into this, so I can’t say much. But it has to be taken care of.
Dr. Piramal:A few personal questions. Yesterday was the 80th birthday of Lata Mangeshkar. Maybe you grew up with that kind of music. What are your favourite songs? What kind of music do you like to hear? To sing?
Ms Birla: I like to listen to light music. I have not trained in Carnatic (or any other) music. But I do like light music which gives some happiness and keeps you calm.
Dr. Piramal: Which song appeals most to you?
Ms Birla: There are many songs that I like… there is Hum ko man ki shakti dena.
Dr. Piramal: How do you maintain your long friendships? I have seen you with friends for 30 years.
Ms Birla: I have been lucky in that. But friendship is always nurtured by both parties, not just one. I’m fortunate to have many friends, some of them for 30 to 40 years. I must say that I’m very fortunate.
Dr. Piramal: What does being a Marwari mean to you?
Ms Birla: Whether Marwaris, Gujaratis or others, I think nowadays
MR. AJAY PIRAMAL’S VOTE OF THANKS
The image that I have always had of Rajashreeji is of a very dignified, humble, unassuming and quiet, though very purposeful and sincere, person. The interaction that we had today, I think, brought that out, especially her humility.
From the film that was screened we could see the tremendous amount of work that she has been doing. But in all her conversations here she was really hesitant to speak about what she has been doing. In fact, she gave a lot of credit to Neerja.
This shows how difficult it is to draw out a person who is truly unassuming.
That is probably one of the qualities about which the Lord says in the Gita, "Those people are dear to Him, the people who bring humility first", and that is what Rajashreeji epitomises.
Coming from one of the most distinguished, wealthiest, most powerful families in the country and yet giving so much back to society, has truly been an inspiration for all of us; the way Rajashreeji conducts herself, the way she is giving back to those people who are less privileged than us, is an inspiration.
What is the definition of a leader? Again, as it is said in the Gita,
"How behaves the best of men, so behaves the rest of men".
Seeing her example, people will say, she did so, so we did so; she has, indeed, been an example for all of us.
Rotary is all about service and we as members of Rotary have great pride. We say with a lot of pride that "I am a member of a Rotary Club". If you are a member of the Rotary Club of Bombay, you have even greater pride, because this is the most important Club in the country. And if some of us are luckier to be Honorary Rotarians, we say it with even greater pride!
But in Rajashreeji’s case I think the honour goes to Rotary that she has agreed to be your member, because what she has done is a true example of what all of us Rotarians should do.
We are really thankful to you, Rajashreeji, for spending the afternoon with us on your birthday. We are very thankful that you have shared your experience with us. And we are very grateful for all the service that you have been doing for the nation, for the world and for honouring Rotary in this way.
Let us extend our very warm, grateful thanks to Rajashreeji by giving her a standing ovation.
Thank you.