Like father, like son: Kumar Mangalam learnt parenting from Birla Sr

Kumar Mangalam Birla is his children’s biggest cheerleader — always at the forefront supporting them in their endeavours. This understanding comes from his own personal experience with his father, Aditya Birla, whom he “hero worshipped”.

The senior Birla, despite his busy schedule, always made it a point to attend every important school function.

“Even though he was a very busy man and travelled a great deal, deeply involved with work, I never had to say ‘I want you to come’. He knew who my friends were, he knew what I was doing…He always knew how to get the best out of me. He could be tough as knuckles, but he was very tactful about it,” Birla shared recently.

The billionaire businessman says he still follows the values laid down by his father, “He often said that there is no substitute for perseverance, passion and unfailing commitment. All through his life, his integrity shone. That for me is the guiding light…Work hard and play hard. Follow your dreams. Dream audaciously. You could make your dream come true if you put your heart and mind to it.”

A piece of advice that Birla probably reiterates with his budding stars as well.