What GD Birla wrote in his letter to his son Basant Kumar Birla

A letter from Ghanshyam Das Birla, the founder of the Birla business empire, to his son Basant Kumar Birla has surfaced on the internet.

Industrialist Harsh Goenka shared the letter on Twitter, saying, "So much old-world wisdom in this letter."

The letter reads:


"Dear Basant,

Whatever I am writing, you should read even when you are grown up and also at your old age. I am writing this from experience, as to how life must be lived.

Birth as a human is a rarity, and when born as a human, whoever misuses this birth, it is like they lived as an animal. You have wealth, health, and good social connections. If you use them for the service of mankind as a good human being, these are successful; otherwise, they are devil's tools.

Never use wealth for selfish ends or frivolous spending, as wealth may not always be there. Spend less on yourself and more on public welfare and for the welfare of the distressed. Wealth is a force. The possibility of injustice is likely with this force or power. Take care that no injustice is done.

Leave some good morals for your children. If they indulge in merrymaking, they may become sinful and spoil our business. Do not pass on wealth to such unworthy children; rather, use it for public welfare or distribute it among the deserving poor. Do not have mental blindness or passion for such children. Boundless effort and labor have been put in by us brothers to build the business, assuming that our children will make the best use of the wealth we have generated.

Never forget God. He gives good sense and intellect. Have control over sensuous impulses, or else those will sink you. Do exercise and yoga daily. Health is our biggest wealth. Health gives deftness, accomplishment, and prosperity. I have seen how unhealthy millionaires become poor and frail. Eat meals feeling as if they are medicine. Eat to live, not live to eat.

G.D. Birla."

G.D. Birla was the first entrepreneur from his traditional Marwari family. Between 1919 and his death in 1983, he built the foundation of the Birla business empire. He founded several businesses and institutions, from one of India's oldest commercial banks, The United Commercial Bank Ltd. (now UCO Bank), to manufacturing powerhouses like Grasim and Hindalco.