Krishna Kumar Birla, noted industrialist who had established one of India’s biggest business conglomerates, died this morning at his residence here after a brief illness.
A former Rajya Sabha member for three terms from 1984 to 2002, he was 90.
The chairman of Hindustan Times and several Birla group companies is survived by three daughters — Nandini Nupani, Shobhana Bhartia and Jyoti Poddar.
Birla, whose empire spanned key industries like sugar, fertilisers, chemicals, heavy engineering, textiles, shipping and newspaper, died at 7:30 am following general deterioration of health due to age-related diseases. He had been ailing for the last two weeks, family members said. His wife Manorama Devi Birla died about a month ago.
Family sources said Mumbai-based Kumar Mangalam Birla, son of Aditya Birla, was likely to arrive by a chartered flight.
B K Birla, brother of K K Birla, who also stays at the Birla Park, was present at the time of death as also the three daughters and sons-in-law.
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Several dignitaries, including Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi, visited K K Birla’s residence to pay their last respects.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his condolence message said Birla was not only a noted industrialist but also a well-known public figure in the country. Describing Birla’s contribution to the development of the country as immense, Singh said his was a multifaceted personality.
The cremation would take place at the Keoratala burning ghat.