Conqueror of the Self G D Birla (A study of his life) (An Old and Rare Book)

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The favourite Upanishadic saying of GD was charaiveti charaiveti (Fare Forward, Fare Forward). Under the inspiration of Gandhiji, GD took an active part in eradicating untouchability and remained a very active member of Harijan Sevak Sangh for a long time. He belonged to his people who sometimes saw in him the glimpse of a saint (page 172). In business, he considered himself a trustee, not an owner (page 162). That was the secret behind his phenomenal success at Hindalco, Grasim and a dozen other giant Industries of India led by himself. He had also the unique gift like Gandhiji of 'making men out of dust'.

He had no formal education; he educated himself and became a genius in creating and managing the available opportunities to the best advantage in the fields of industry and education, in building up institutions and enterprises of national repute, and in playing a crucial role in the development of modern industry. Marwaris are known for their shrewdness in business. GD's vision and work went beyond just business; he became a builder of a modern industrial empire and institutions of higher learning.

The author, Naresh Jotwani, teaches at an engineering college in Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat. He has earlier translated into English Shri KM Munshi's famous Gujarati novel, Gujarat no Nath. The translation has been published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan under the title The Master of Gujarat.

Everybody has to die. Blessed are those who die without pain and suffering. Twice blessed are those who die without being a burden to others and burden to themselves. Very few enjoy this blessing and GD was one of them. He was blessed both in life and in death. He had no formal education; he educated himself and became a genius in creating and managing the available opportunities to the best advantage in the fields of industry and education, in building up institutions and enterprises of national repute, and in playing a crucial role in the development of modern industry. Marwaris are known for their shrewdness in business. GD's vision and work went beyond just business; he became a builder of a modern industrial empire and institutions of higher learning.

GD's greatness was considerably enhanced by his intimate association with Mahatma Gandhi. This brought him into the vortex of the freedom movement, even though he did not actively participate in Mahatmaji's Satyagraha movements. But he was one of the few rich benefactors of the Congress movement, making available adequate financial help whenever necessary. His contribution to the Harijan Movement is very well-known. Gandhiji could always rely upon GD Babu to contribute to the funds without any limit. More than this, he functioned as a bridge between the British Raj at the highest level and Bapuji; on many occasions he removed their mutual suspicions. The roles he played in this respect are vividly described in a valuable book, The Bridge of Words. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan has brought out the correspondence between GD and Mahatma Gandhi in four volumes under the title Bapu A Unique Association for the benefit of the present and future generations. The Bhavan has also brought out GD's books Towards Swadeshi and Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum (in Hindi and English)