2016-06-11 Sat

Ghanshyam Das Birla – a famous business tycoon of India passed away on 11th June 1983. Ghanshyam Das Birla was one of the most prominent Indian businessmen from the era when India was struggling to get freedom from the British Empire.

Known as G. D. Birla, Ghanshyam Das was born in the family of Marwari Businessman. G.D Birla got away from his family business and went to Calcutta to weigh his luck. He returned to his homeland with success and pride.

Further, he inherited the family business and moved to further diversify them into other areas. He wanted to turn the money lending business into manufacturing. he established a jute firm in Calcutta which boomed during World War I.

With an investment of Rs. 5 million in 1919, the Birla Brothers Limited was formed. In the 1940s, he ventured into the territory of cars and established Hindustan Motors. After independence, Ghanshyam Das Birla invested in tea and textiles through. He also expanded and diversified into cement, chemicals, rayon and steel tubes. Today, at least three contemporary family business groups existing in India can trace their ancestry to Ghanshyam Das.

Alas, this business tycoon passed away 33 years ago. To honour his contribution India Post issued a commemorative stamp of INR5.00 depicting his portrait on the background of famous Birla Haveli.