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{{Short description|Indian businesswoman (1923–2015)}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}} | {{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}} | ||
{{infobox person | {{infobox person | ||
| name | | name = Sarala Birla | ||
| image | | image = Sarala_Birla_0079.JPG | ||
| image_size | | image_size = | ||
| caption | | caption = | ||
| birth_name | | birth_name = | ||
| birth_date | | birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1923|11|23}} | ||
| birth_place = [[Kuchaman City| | | birth_place = [[Kuchaman City|Kuchaman]], [[Kingdom of Marwar|Jodhpur (Marwar)]], [[Rajputana Agency|Rajputana]], [[British Raj|British India]] | ||
| death_date | | death_date = {{Death date and age|2015|3|28|1923|11|23|df=y}} | ||
| death_place = [[New Delhi]], India | | death_place = [[New Delhi]], [[India]] | ||
| nationality = | | nationality = | ||
| citizenship = | | citizenship = | ||
| other_names = | | other_names = | ||
| known_for | | known_for = Educationist | ||
| spouse | | spouse = [[Basant Kumar Birla]] | ||
| children | | children = 3 including [[Aditya Vikram Birla]] | ||
| father | | father = [[Brajlal Biyani]] | ||
| relations | | relations = | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Sarala Birla''' (23 November 1923 – 28 March 2015)<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sarala-birla-passes-away/article7044629.ece | title=Sarala Birla passes away | newspaper=The Hindu | date=29 March 2015 | accessdate=28 June 2018 }}</ref> was an Indian | '''Sarala Birla''' (23 November 1923 – 28 March 2015)<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sarala-birla-passes-away/article7044629.ece | title=Sarala Birla passes away | newspaper=The Hindu | date=29 March 2015 | accessdate=28 June 2018 }}</ref> was an Indian businesswoman and a prominent member of the [[Birla family]] of Indian industrialists. She took an interest in public education and, along with her husband, is credited with having co-founded about 45 educational institutions supported by her family's conglomerate. | ||
==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
Sarala Birla was born into a traditional [[Marwari people|Marwadi]] Hindu family, the daughter of [[Gandhianism|Gandhian]] educationist and | Sarala Birla was born into a traditional [[Marwari people|Marwadi]] Hindu family, the daughter of [[Gandhianism|Gandhian]] educationist and [[Indian National Congress|Congress Party]] worker [[Brijlal Biyani]] and his wife Savitri Devi Biyani. She was born in [[Kuchaman City|Kuchaman]], [[Rajasthan]], at the residence of her maternal grandmother. Her family hailed from [[Rajasthan]], but her father had settled in [[Akola]], [[Maharashtra]], and it was in Akola that Sarla grew up. She studied in a local government school, and the medium of instruction was [[Marathi language|Marathi]]. As a result, she grew fluent in that language, while retaining her native tongue, [[Marwari language|the Marwadi dialect]] of Hindi. English was taught at the school beginning from class six, and Sarla also learned the standard register of the Hindi language at this time. Sarla grew up amid a number of spoken languages, and this made it easy for her to pick up new tongues. In older age, she made decided to learn French as well. | ||
On 28 March 2015, she was in Delhi to attend a function marking the 121st anniversary of [[GD Birla]]. She was injured in a minor accident involving her wheelchair and the lift ([[elevator]]) and died as a result of old-age related heart failure. She was 91.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 March 2015 |title=सरला बिड़ला की संदिग्ध परिस्थिति में मौत |url=https://www.jagran.com/delhi/new-delhi-city-12210482.html |access-date= |website=Dainik Jagran |language=hi}}</ref> | |||
==Philanthropy== | ==Philanthropy== | ||
[[File:Raja Ravi Varma, Menaka and Sakunthala (1891).jpg|thumbnail|right| Raja Ravi Varma, Menaka and Sakunthala (1891), Birla Academy of Art and Culture in Kolkata]] | [[File:Raja Ravi Varma, Menaka and Sakunthala (1891).jpg|thumbnail|right| Raja Ravi Varma, Menaka and Sakunthala (1891), Birla Academy of Art and Culture in Kolkata]] | ||
She had made notable contributions through her social and institutional activities and took an active part in their working. She had been associated as governor, [[trustee]], or | She had made notable contributions through her social and institutional activities and took an active part in their working. She had been associated as governor, [[trustee]], or in another manner with the following institutions: | ||
*[[Birla Institute of Technology and Science]], [[Pilani]] | *[[Birla Institute of Technology and Science]], [[Pilani]] | ||
| Line 44: | Line 44: | ||
*Sangit Kala Mandir Trust, Calcutta | *Sangit Kala Mandir Trust, Calcutta | ||
*Birla Bharati, Calcutta | *Birla Bharati, Calcutta | ||
*Birla Vidya Niketan, Delhi,saket | |||
Her collection of Indian art, including that on display at the Birla Academy of Art and Culture in Kolkata, ranks amongst India's notable private collections. The Sangit Kala Mandir, besides the [[Birla Academy of Art and Culture]], were both set up by the couple.<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-sarala-birla-wife-of-bk-birla-passes-away-2072687 Sarala Birla, Wife of BK Birla, passes away, DNA India, 28 March 2015 ]</ref> | Her collection of Indian art, including that on display at the Birla Academy of Art and Culture in Kolkata, ranks amongst India's notable private collections. The Sangit Kala Mandir, besides the [[Birla Academy of Art and Culture]], were both set up by the couple.<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-sarala-birla-wife-of-bk-birla-passes-away-2072687 Sarala Birla, Wife of BK Birla, passes away, DNA India, 28 March 2015 ]</ref> | ||
== | ==Personal life== | ||
In April 1941, she married [[Basant Kumar Birla]], the son of [[GD Birla]], in an [[arranged marriage]] after having been introduced to each other by [[Jamnalal Bajaj]] and [[Mahatma Gandhi]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Story of India's prominent family |url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/book-review/storyoneindias-prominent-business-families-_267930.html}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> | |||
Sarala | Sarala recalled:<ref name=":0">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6KNLrws_-g The Story Of Basant And Sarala Birla, Aaj Tak, 5 April 2015 ]</ref> | ||
: "I was studying in Pune, Ferguson College, and I got a message that I have to go to [[Mumbai|Bombay]], to Birla house, to see the boy. I went there, I was there for one night and there were so many boys there, I did not know who was who; I stayed there and I came back. After two-three months, I got a call from [[Mahatma Gandhi|Gandhiji]] and my father-in-law telling me to come to [[Wardha]]. I went there from [[Pune]] and father ([[Ghanshyam Das Birla]]) asked me, 'you have seen Basant and you have not yet replied whether you are ready to marry him or not.' I said, 'No, there were eight-ten boys, so I didn't know who was who.' Then I said that I won't marry a boy unless I see him and I know who he is. Gandhiji said, 'she is perfectly right,' and then he said that we will arrange a meeting between you-you please come again. So I said, 'when I have my holidays, only then will I come.' [[Ghanshyam Das Birla|Father]] was so nice, he said, 'alright.' So, when I had my holidays, I went, and we met on November 8." | : "I was studying in Pune, Ferguson College, and I got a message that I have to go to [[Mumbai|Bombay]], to Birla house, to see the boy. I went there, I was there for one night and there were so many boys there, I did not know who was who; I stayed there and I came back. After two-three months, I got a call from [[Mahatma Gandhi|Gandhiji]] and my father-in-law telling me to come to [[Wardha]]. I went there from [[Pune]] and father ([[Ghanshyam Das Birla]]) asked me, 'you have seen Basant and you have not yet replied whether you are ready to marry him or not.' I said, 'No, there were eight-ten boys, so I didn't know who was who.' Then I said that I won't marry a boy unless I see him and I know who he is. Gandhiji said, 'she is perfectly right,' and then he said that we will arrange a meeting between you-you please come again. So I said, 'when I have my holidays, only then will I come.' [[Ghanshyam Das Birla|Father]] was so nice, he said, 'alright.' So, when I had my holidays, I went, and we met on November 8." | ||
Basant Kumar Birla | Eventually after this marriage, Birla became the matriarch of a large family. They are sometimes referred to as the "first couple of Birla empire".<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/unfolding-the-fascinating-story-of-birlas/article2437958.ece Unfolding the fascinating story of Birlas, Basant Kumar and Sarala Birla: Life Has No Full Stops released in Delhi, 9 September 2011]</ref> They had a son, [[Aditya Vikram Birla]], who died early in 1995. | ||
Sarala was | Sarala was with her husband for 73 years. She was 91 years old, but it was a familiar sight to see her holding her husband's hand during family functions, and accompanying him to the annual general meetings of various group companies.<ref name=":1">[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/sarala-birla-a-businessman's-wife-who-won-hearts-with-her-humanity/articleshow/46741619.cms Sarala Birla A businessman's wife, who won hearts with her humanity, ET Bureau, 30 March 2015 ]</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Birla Family]] | * [[Birla Family]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 70: | Line 69: | ||
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6KNLrws_-g The Story Of Basant And Sarala Birla, Aaj Tak, 5 April 2015 ] | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6KNLrws_-g The Story Of Basant And Sarala Birla, Aaj Tak, 5 April 2015 ] | ||
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNmKhuYPC7M The XII Science Assembly, Sarala Birla Academy, 20 June 2013] | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNmKhuYPC7M The XII Science Assembly, Sarala Birla Academy, 20 June 2013] | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Birla, Sarla}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Birla, Sarla}} | ||
| Line 78: | Line 78: | ||
[[Category:2015 deaths]] | [[Category:2015 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:Birla family|Sarla]] | [[Category:Birla family|Sarla]] | ||
[[Category:Indian women educational theorists]] | [[Category:20th-century Indian women educational theorists]] | ||
[[Category:People from Nagaur district]] | [[Category:People from Nagaur district]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century Indian women scientists]] | [[Category:20th-century Indian women scientists]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Businesspeople from Kolkata]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century Indian educational theorists]] | [[Category:20th-century Indian educational theorists]] | ||
[[Category:Women scientists from West Bengal]] | [[Category:Women scientists from West Bengal]] | ||
[[Category:Women educators from West Bengal]] | [[Category:Women educators from West Bengal]] | ||
[[Category:Educators from West Bengal]] | [[Category:Educators from West Bengal]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century women educators]] | [[Category:20th-century Indian women educators]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century Indian educators]] | |||
[[Category:20th-century Indian philanthropists]] | [[Category:20th-century Indian philanthropists]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century women philanthropists]] | |||
Latest revision as of 22:13, 16 February 2026
Sarala Birla | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 23 November 1923 |
| Died | 28 March 2015 (aged 91) |
| Known for | Educationist |
| Spouse(s) | Basant Kumar Birla |
| Children | 3 including Aditya Vikram Birla |
| Parent(s) |
|
Sarala Birla (23 November 1923 – 28 March 2015)[1] was an Indian businesswoman and a prominent member of the Birla family of Indian industrialists. She took an interest in public education and, along with her husband, is credited with having co-founded about 45 educational institutions supported by her family's conglomerate.
Biography[edit | edit source]
Sarala Birla was born into a traditional Marwadi Hindu family, the daughter of Gandhian educationist and Congress Party worker Brijlal Biyani and his wife Savitri Devi Biyani. She was born in Kuchaman, Rajasthan, at the residence of her maternal grandmother. Her family hailed from Rajasthan, but her father had settled in Akola, Maharashtra, and it was in Akola that Sarla grew up. She studied in a local government school, and the medium of instruction was Marathi. As a result, she grew fluent in that language, while retaining her native tongue, the Marwadi dialect of Hindi. English was taught at the school beginning from class six, and Sarla also learned the standard register of the Hindi language at this time. Sarla grew up amid a number of spoken languages, and this made it easy for her to pick up new tongues. In older age, she made decided to learn French as well.
On 28 March 2015, she was in Delhi to attend a function marking the 121st anniversary of GD Birla. She was injured in a minor accident involving her wheelchair and the lift (elevator) and died as a result of old-age related heart failure. She was 91.[2]
Philanthropy[edit | edit source]
.jpg)
She had made notable contributions through her social and institutional activities and took an active part in their working. She had been associated as governor, trustee, or in another manner with the following institutions:
- Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
- BK Birla Institute of Engineering & Technology, Pilani
- BK Birla College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Kalyan
- BK Birla Public School, Kalyan
- Mahadevi Birla World Academy
- Mahadevi Birla Shishu Vihar
- Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Calcutta
- Swar Sangam, Calcutta
- Sangit Kala Mandir, Calcutta
- Sangit Kala Mandir Trust, Calcutta
- Birla Bharati, Calcutta
- Birla Vidya Niketan, Delhi,saket
Her collection of Indian art, including that on display at the Birla Academy of Art and Culture in Kolkata, ranks amongst India's notable private collections. The Sangit Kala Mandir, besides the Birla Academy of Art and Culture, were both set up by the couple.[3]
Personal life[edit | edit source]
In April 1941, she married Basant Kumar Birla, the son of GD Birla, in an arranged marriage after having been introduced to each other by Jamnalal Bajaj and Mahatma Gandhi.[4][5]
Sarala recalled:[5]
- "I was studying in Pune, Ferguson College, and I got a message that I have to go to Bombay, to Birla house, to see the boy. I went there, I was there for one night and there were so many boys there, I did not know who was who; I stayed there and I came back. After two-three months, I got a call from Gandhiji and my father-in-law telling me to come to Wardha. I went there from Pune and father (Ghanshyam Das Birla) asked me, 'you have seen Basant and you have not yet replied whether you are ready to marry him or not.' I said, 'No, there were eight-ten boys, so I didn't know who was who.' Then I said that I won't marry a boy unless I see him and I know who he is. Gandhiji said, 'she is perfectly right,' and then he said that we will arrange a meeting between you-you please come again. So I said, 'when I have my holidays, only then will I come.' Father was so nice, he said, 'alright.' So, when I had my holidays, I went, and we met on November 8."
Eventually after this marriage, Birla became the matriarch of a large family. They are sometimes referred to as the "first couple of Birla empire".[6] They had a son, Aditya Vikram Birla, who died early in 1995.
Sarala was with her husband for 73 years. She was 91 years old, but it was a familiar sight to see her holding her husband's hand during family functions, and accompanying him to the annual general meetings of various group companies.[7]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Sarala Birla passes away". The Hindu. 29 March 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ↑ "सरला बिड़ला की संदिग्ध परिस्थिति में मौत". Dainik Jagran (in हिन्दी). 28 March 2015.
- ↑ Sarala Birla, Wife of BK Birla, passes away, DNA India, 28 March 2015
- ↑ "Story of India's prominent family".
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The Story Of Basant And Sarala Birla, Aaj Tak, 5 April 2015
- ↑ Unfolding the fascinating story of Birlas, Basant Kumar and Sarala Birla: Life Has No Full Stops released in Delhi, 9 September 2011
- ↑ Sarala Birla A businessman's wife, who won hearts with her humanity, ET Bureau, 30 March 2015