BIRLA VIDYAMANDIR - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Business Development Manager, Design Expo
Late C.B.Gupta groomed himself from a common man's background to the level of the most popular leaders of the masses of his time. Having participated actively in the freedom movement and struggled at different levels in his fight against the British Government, his familiarity and sensitivity towards the masses, problems of the country, currents and undercurrents in the society tremendously increased and he used this familiarity with his sharp acumen for the reconstruction of the Nation and reorganisation of the society after Independence.
In his attempt of social work he could never be found, blindly opposing any constructive or creative endeavour nor could he be found pleading for the struggle between different classes or communities of the society. He had such broad vision that on the one hand he spent all his life working strenuously for the upliftment of the poor, the downtrodden and the destitute; on the other hand he very carefully nursed his sympathies and concern for giving proper direction to the lives of the well-to-do classes and assigned them their role in the reconstruction of the Nation.
It was here that Birla Vidyamandir looked at him after the demise of Late Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant for his valuable guidance. Though he was associated with the school right from its inception, his active role as President, Board of Governors could benefit the school only after 1962. Since then his love, care and concern for the school gave it not only stability but also glorious heights which the school deserved and achieved.
He remained closely and actively associated with the school as its guiding spirit till the Almighty snatched him away from us in 1980.
If Govind Blallabh Pant was the spirit behind the inception of Birla Vidyamandir, Late Ghanshyam Das Birla was all body, mind and the intellect of the school the spirit could manifest itself only with the active support and harmonious sustenance of the body.
The term 'great' is often so loosely used for the high achievers in life that it does not describe the stature of the person like Shri Ghanshyam Das Birla and Pt. Pant. It becomes difficult even for the history to make a right judgement of the stature of such persons.
He was associated with the freedom movement and actively financed the activities of the freedom fighters. Starting from the scratch Birlaji could emerge the biggest business house of the country in his own life time. He grew with the growth of Indian economy and Indian economy developed with his growth. The true spirit of Gandhian thought on business, 'Trusteeship', was manifested in Birlaji's life. The essential traits of simplicity, frugality and generosity moulded the life and outlook of Birlaji that he became a pioneer business house to donate generously for the projects ensuring social welfare. His priorities were building beautiful temples, preserving the rich cultural heritage on the lines of Indian architecture and sculpture and making them self-sufficient for the maintenance on the modem lines and installing educational institutions from primary school to the advanced technological institutes and deemed universities for the serious work in the field of education.
He became a legend in Indian industry and enterprise. As a founder Chairman of United Commercial Bank, Indian Chamber of Commerce, Calcutta and the Chairman of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry his genius could find an outlet in supporting the Indian economy to take up a sound footing. He represented Indian delegation in the second Round Table Conference and resigned from the membership of Indian Legislatures Assembly in protest against a bill for Imperial preference. As a member .of the Indian Fiscal Commission on labour he represented Indian Employers at the International Labour Conference at Geneva. He was a scholar and the author of several books in Hindi and English.
A close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, he established the Birla Education Trust in the desert village ofPilani which is at present the largest educational endowment in the country.
Padmavibhushan G.D. Birla's munificence brought Birla Vidyamandir into existence and even after fifty years it is Birla House only which is looking after the functioning of the school.
Late Govind Ballabh Pant was the tallest, multi-faceted personality, the Kumaon region has produced in the modern times. Having come from a village background with first-hand knowledge and experience of the difficulties people face in the hills, he nursed a strong aspiration from his childhood to bring a change in the life style of the people living here. His academic brilliance as a student, his compassion for the poor and sufferer, his sociability, his fervour and vigour as exhibited in his active participation in the freedom movement, his qualitative leadership as proved in abolishing the forced labour by raising a movement in Kumaon region stand testimony to the stature he rose to with his hard work. A man of this stature was soon hooked up by the national leaders like Gandhiji and Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru.
As an advocate he was amongst the top few India had during those times. His arguments in the Kakori case not only testify to his patriotism but also to his sharp intellectual acumen. His tenure as the Chief Minister of U.P. and later on as the Union Home Minister speak volumes about how able and successful administrator he was.
His strong commitment to Indian culture, traditions and thought with a wider exposure to the social life at the national level and a close concern for the educational development of Kumaon region developed a strong desire in his bosom to install an institution on public school lines in this region.
Birla Vidyamandir was founded with his sole inspiration and he remained actively involved in all the affairs of the school even when he was shouldering big responsibilities at the state and national level.
Having worked as the close aide of Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant as the private secretary, Late C. D. Pande was well aware of the mind of Panditji and his aspirations about the school. He remained on the governing body as the active member right from the initial stages. The responsibility of leading the destiny of the school fell on his shoulders in 1980 when he took over as the President, Board of Governors. He continued till the command of the Almighty made us condole his absence in 1988.
He was an eminent scholar of rare breed. He was conferred D.Litt by Sorborne University, Paris for his magnificent work on European History and Economics. But he never remained a scholar of the library or reading room. He was an active representative of the masses in Parliament and a renowned freedom fighter who was jailed for his crucial role in non-cooperation movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. He was an erudite Professor of European History in Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi. His scholarship and keen understanding were exhibited in the Parliamentary debates which formed a record for reference.
Her active involvement in the growth of Birla Vidyamandir testifies to her capability and interest in the field of education. Her boundless love for the institution enabled it to scale glorious heights. Her dynamism, respect for basic values in life and large heartedness have remained an inspiration for us to move forward and face all problems with confidence , courage and conviction.
Job Titles:
- Consultancy Management ( Master of Science )
- Human Resource Management ( Master of Arts )
- Personnel Management ( Master of Arts )
- Personnel Management and Industrial Relations ( Master of Arts )
- Police Administration ( Master of Arts )
- Politics and International Relations ( Master of Arts )
- Public Administration ( Master of Arts )
- Rural Industries and Management ( Master of Arts )
- Rural Project Management ( Master of Arts )
Shri B. K. Birla remained associated with Birla Vidyamandir right from its inception as the son of Late G. D. Birla, the founder of the institution. Continuing the glorious traditions of the family, Shri B. K. Birla has been taking keen interest in the growth and the development of the school. He has proved himself a worthy decendent of our founder by involving himself and putting in result-oriented serious efforts in varied directions. His multi-faceted genius equips him with the necessary calibre to personally monitor various projects in the field of education, culture, art, sculpture and industry.
Having won several honours from government, semi-government and private organisations in the country and outside the country, Shri B.K. Birla's achievements sing a glorious song of a life useful for the mankind. His saga of success touch the lives of millions and inspire them to undertake the trait of creative activity.
His love and devotion for art, culture and education finds no parallel when we look at a large number of quality institutions patronised by him. Birla Academy of Art and Culture is devoted' to promoting visual arts, culture and literature. Ravindra Sarobar in Calcutta is pageantry of unique collection of ancient Indian, sculptures, miniature paintings, bronzes, textiles and terra-cottas with a gallery of International Modern Art. This Academy organises various lectures on arts, culture, literature and discourses on religious and spiritual subjects. Nritya Sangam, Swar Sangam, and Sangeet Kala Mandir at Calcutta own two fully air-conditioned auditoriums with seating capacities of more than a thousand persons. The Temple of Understanding, Washington aims at fostering education, communication and understanding among the world religions by holding World Spiritual Summit Conferences all over the globe.
He is committed to raising up the opportunities for quality education at all levels. He patronises education from primary school to the advanced Research Institutes fulfilling the requirements of the modern age. The greatest beauty of his planning is that he keeps all these institutions self-reliant with a sensitive potential of growth and development after providing all necessary facilities for building up the infrastructure. Birla Education Trust, Pilani caters to the education of 12000 students. Internationally renowned Birla "Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani enjoys the status of standard bearer all over the world, producing experts in technology who are readily accepted everywhere.
Apart from being a doyen of industries dealing in Textile, Paper, Shipping, Cement, Tea, Coffee, Chemicals and Plywood, he received International Awards for his humane qualities. He was conferred "Officer in the order of Organge Nassau" by the Netherlands Government and "Officer in the order of the Crown" by the Belgian Government. His ardent love for music, art, literature, sports and photography groomed him with such a refined sensibility that many of his photographs have been exhibited in several countries winning the certificates of merits and medals. He wrote a beautiful book ‘Swantah Sukhaya' which unveils the secret of his success. It is an autobiographical note on his life's pilgrimage.
Late Sarala Birla, the daughter of Vidarbha Kesari Late Brijlalji Biyani, she was married to Shri B.K. Birla, the youngest son of Late G.D. Birla. Coming from politically and socially conscious and reputed family of Berar, she found ample opportunities to nurse and promote her inherent taste for social work in the family of Birlas.
Having had her school education in Akola and University education in the famous Fergusson College Poona, she continued her process of learning on the larger dimension of the society through her active involvement in the spheres of industrial management, education, culture, art, religion and various other projects undertaken by Birla Trusts.
She had received many awards and honours for her contribution in the field, of education and for her services to the industrial and. social activities in India and abroad. She was conferred on the degree of D.Litt by Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur in recognition to the outstanding contribution made by her in the field of education. She is the only Indian woman who received the highest award of the China Academy, Taiwan called ‘Shikshavid'. She also received the highest award from the government of Ethiopia, ‘The Medal Menalik II', for her significant contribution in the industrial and social activities of Ethiopia. N.V.Gadgil National Society awarded her with its highest honour in 1994 for her untiring efforts in awakening the people for education and social service.
She took keen interest in business activities. She was the founder Vice-Chairperson of the Indo-Ethiopian Textile Share Company, Addis-Ababa. In all the meetings of the B.K. Birla group of companies her opinions and assessments are' seriously heard and implemented.
She was an eminent person in the social life of Calcutta and widely respected for her significant contribution and achievrnents in the field of education, art, culture, religion and sports. A chain of Birla schools in Calcutta, Pilani, Delhi and Kumaon hills and the most modern theatres of Calcutta exemplify her field of activities in education and performing arts.
She was a renowned scholar with spiritualistic bent of mind. Her thought provoking book on philosophy, ‘Anhad Ki Jhankaren' has been well received and talked about by educationalists all over the country. As the famous saying goes ‘there is always a gentle and noble woman behind the success of any eminent man' - Saralaji has always remained supportive and inspiring to Shri B.K. Birla even during the worst moments of their life. One can only imagine how much she must have exerted to keep herself temperate when they lost their only son and a glorious industrialist of the country Late Aditya Vikram Birla in 1995.