Rajashree Birla Biography 
Padma Bhushan Rajashree Birla is an Indian philanthropist, and a member of Birla industrial family. She is the widow of business typhoon Aditya Vikram Birla who died in 1995 at a comparatively young age of 51. Initially associated with her husband’s business, after his death, she spent most of her time for philanthropic activities. Now the legacy of the family is carried by her son Kumar Mangalam Birla, who currently serves as the chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, one of the largest conglomerates in India. Her grandson Aryaman Birla is a young cricketer and granddaughter Ananya Birla is a pop singer and songwriter.
Rajashree Birla was born as Rajashree Fomra in 1948 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. But her ancestors are from Rajasthan. Her father, Radhakishen Fomra held a dealership agency for Burmah Shell. Later she was married into Birla business family of Rajasthan. As per family tradition she was married to Aditya Vikram Birla belonging to Maheshwari sub-caste of Marwari Vaishyas. She also belongs to the same community. Her engagement was done at the age of 14 and marriage ceremony, when she turned 17. Well-known industrialists Basant Kumar Birla and Sarala Birla were her in-laws.
She was studying at Fatima College in Madurai when she got married. Later her husband and in-laws encouraged her to complete studies, which she did. Before her formal education was completed, she gave birth to two children, one son and one daughter. As her grand-father-in-law Ghanshyam Das Birla was closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi, she too had a deep influence of Gandhian life. Apart from living a simple life, she also encouraged her children to do the same. She currently serves as the Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, and closely works with many other NGOs.
Published: August 24, 2019
Updated: August 24, 2019
