Kolkata: G P Birla, a doyen of Indian
industry, passed away after a brief illness here late last
night at the age of 86.
One of the senior most members of the Birla clan, G P
Birla was younger to his cousin B K Birla, who is now 90.
In a letter to his wife Nirmala Birla, President Pratibha
Patil said the nation has lost an illustrious personality in
passing away of the industrialist.
"Shri G P Birla was an industrialist whose contribution to
the establishment of various industrial and business
enterprises helped in national development as well as created
employment opportunities for thousands of our people," she
said.
Industry body Assocham also condoled his death. "Indian
industry has lost a great and seasoned industrialist,"
Assocham President Swati Piramal said.
G P Birla had passed on the businesses to his only son C K
Birla, who is now heading group companies such as Hindustan
Motors, Orient Industries and Birla Technical Services.
Late Braj Mohan Birla, father of G P Birla, founded the
GP-CK Birla group, which has interests in automobiles, paper,
bearings, earthmoving, power transmission equipment, cement,
fan, IT and consumer durables among others.
The group also set up medical research centres and
hospitals besides educational institutions.
The Birlas have number of joint ventures and partnerships
with many leading global entities. It has collaborations with
leading companies like General Electric, General Motors,
Caterpillar, Mitsubishi, Isuzu Motors and NTN among others.
PTI
