As a member of a joint family G.D. fulfilled several duties expected of him. His elder brother Jugal Kishor alias J.K. was ten years senior to him. He respected him like a father. There were several differences but G.D. always managed to overcome them by relenting or persuading. The following incidents prove our point :
❑ He gave up leather factory idea for the sake of J.K. and his father.
❑ Once he stayed put in Pilani for recuperation for weeks at the insistence of J.K. at the cost of a displeasure of a lot of political big wigs he had engagements with.
❑ Whenever J.K. did not keep well G.D. stayed by his side. He would not leave him although it irritated other people.
❑ G.D. differed in the matter of the nature of charity. For J.K. building temples, inns, ghats and schools was social work. For G.D. new industries and educational institutions were real social contributions.
❑ In Delhi Birla House everyday 40-50 people come seeking monetary help. J.K. thought they deserved it. But G.D. thought 90 percent of them were swindlers and habitual beggars of free doles. He told his brother about it but J.K. said the important fact was that 10 percent who deserved would get the help.
❑ G.D’s other brother was Rameshwar Das who was 2 year senior. The two had played together and were educated together. Thus, they were brothers-cum-friends.
❑ When Rameshwar Das married after the death of his first wife, a testing period began. He had married a Kolwar girl of the lower order in Maheshwari tradition. The panchayat ostracized Birlas. G.D. stood by his brother and did not bend before the orthodox mob inspite of a lot of pressure and difficulties. The brother’s wife Sharda Devi ever remained indebted to G.D. for his support.
Brijmohan was younger brother of G.D. He got married in 1918. By that time G.D. had made a name in the market and was dealing with Europeans. In that marriage some Europeans also came as guests. They were served food of their choice (western). Some elders did not like it. They thought aliens should not have been invited to a Maheshwari wedding. But G.D. argued for the expansion of business Europeans could prove quite helpful. His relationship with Brijmohan was not like he had with his elder brothers. But the two loved and cared for each other. All the four brothers lived long and lived together. They lived to the ages of as given below :
1. J.K. Birla 84 years 3. G.D. Birla 89 years
2. R D Birla 81 years 4. B.M. Birla 77 years
The two elders J.K. and R.D. were devoted to Hindu philosophy and culture. They were not for any change in it. In a way they were orthodox and strict traditionalists. G.D. supported reforms. Inspite of these differences they were very close. The following points need to be noted :
❑ Technically in 1937 itself Birla brothers had accepted the division of the business. It was peacefully worked out through mutual consent and was not declared publically. There was no bitterness or enmity. The divison was for the peace and benefit of all brothers. All the ventures got apportioned in such a peaceful way that the outside world did not know which brother got which industry or business.
Ghanshyam Das and Brijmohan
❑ The ‘News Chronicle’ of England commented on this remarkable division—’Birla brothers are still a team like before. All contributed according to their capabilities—and through concerted effort raised great Business, Trade and Industrial House of unique repute. G.D. Birla has been a financial and political visionary. J.K. provided able leadership to all their Kolkata enterprises. R.D. has industrially progressive thought and a great business sense plus holistic knowledge of modern trade system.
❑ All the four brothers lived full and successful life. They were rewarded for their hard work. All four very capable, astute businessmen and industrialists. All of them believed in God. They had riches of idealistic traditions and family values. They were associated with great leaders of their time.
About her sons, their mother often used to say, “Has anyone produced such a family?”
The brothers loved their sisters. On all occasion they stood by their sisters and worked for their welfare.
G.D. Birla—family man
A real person gets reflected in small events when emotions blow away all masks and pretensions. Before making an opinion of G.D. Birla we must keep in mind that he was a multifaceted person with countless concerns, obligations, pressures, responsibilities, commitments and expectations. He had make several adjustments and balancing acts. He was trying to expand, diversify and fulfil social welfare duties. He was already linked with politicians and had to fine tune his industrial politics with that. He was playing several roles simultaneously besides the natural parts of a son, grandson, husband, father, grandpa and considerate in- law.
The following incidents reveal the sensitive aspect of his character :
❑ In 1931 his daughter Chandrakala got married. After the wedding when she was taking leave she got very emotional and cried for her late mother. G.D. consoled his daughter like a traditional mauldin parent. He consoled his daughter by saying at such happy occasion she must save her tears. In her memory she may try to emulate her example and bring joys to the marital family. He assured her that a part of her mother still lived in him and whenever she needed she could come to him. He would never be short of time for her.
Later Chandrakala admitted her father was a unique personality. Even after her marriage he kept playing the role of protective father and mother.
❑ The famous poetess Mahadevi Verma was a family friend of Birla. When G.D. Birla passed away she wrote a condolence letter to Basant Kumar Birla saying she knew what it felt to lose a father who was mother as well as she herself had gone through that pain.
❑ In the role of a father and grandfather he always showed a special concern when any child failed to return home in time. He would stand at door and wait anxiously or telephone to enquire about the delayed boy.
On such an occasion one day his grandson got delayed somewhere. G.D. was getting impatient. The wife of the grandson remarked, “Dadaji! Why are you getting so worried about your grandson?”
G.D. replied, “I love the punctuality most. The position I enjoy today is largely due to my punctuality.”
❑ In his last days he would express love for his family in the word—’After my death I would like to get reborn as son of my grandson Kumar Mangalam. On July 9, 1997 Kumar Mangalam was blessed with a son named Aryaman Vikram. Then fourteen years had gone by to the death of G.D. Birla. We can’t claim that Aryaman is reborn G.D. Birla but his wish proves the undying love he had for his family.
G.D. was an unprecedentedly successful businessman, a faithful son, trustworthy brother, loving husband and caring father figure.