Ghanshyam Das Birla Biography 
Ghanshyam Das Birla was an Indian businessman and educationalist who belonged to the prestigious Birla family. Birla was a close associate and a steady supporter of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi was staying at Birla's home in New Delhi when he was assassinated. Gandhi spent his last four months in Birla’s home. He was the founder of Birla Engineering College at Pilani in 1964 which was rechristened as Birla Institute of Technology and Science. He founded Technological Institute of Textile & Sciences in Bhiwani in 1943. In 1957, he was awarded India's second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India.
Ghanshyam Das Birla, shortly called G. D. Birla was born on 10 April 1894 at Pilani village, in the British state of Rajputana into a family of businessmen. His grandfather, Shiv Narayana Birla had money lending business who built a mansion in Pilani with name - Birla Haveli. G. D. Birla's father, Baldeodas Birla, was adopted from the Navalgarh Birla family. Later G. D. Birla inherited the family business and moved to diversifying products. He established a jute firm in Kolkata. With an investment of Rs.50 lakhs in 1919, the Birla Brothers Limited was formed with a mill set up in the same year. In 1926, he was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly of British India.
In 1940’s, he entered into the production of cars and established Hindustan Motors. In the late 1940’s, Birla invested in tea and textiles through a series of acquisitions of erstwhile European companies. It was followed by a series of products like cement, chemicals, rayon and steel tubes. He conceived the idea of organizing a commercial bank with Indian capital and management at around 1942 and formed United Commercial Bank Limited later. It was later renamed as UCO Bank. He has also set up several educational institutions.
Published: N/A
Updated: February 12, 2014
