Sonia Gandhi releases postage stamp on industrialist K K Birla

New Delhi, Mar 14 (ANI): Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi on Friday released a commemorative stamp on industrial Dr. K K Birla, who died on August 31, 2008 The stamp is of five rupees denomination.

After paying tributes to the legendary industrialist, she said Dr Birla believed business was not only about profit but also about helping society. He also contributed immensely towards nation building.

"The postage stamp is an appropriate act to honour him," she added.

Recalling Dr Birla's long association with the Congress and its leaders, Sonia said his loyalty towards former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi never wavered even when some of her close associates deserted her after she lost the elections in 1977.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Dr Birla was a multi-dimensional personality. He was an institution builder who worked tirelessly in many diverse areas.

"His tremendous achievement in industry matched with the scientific development he initiated in education," Mukherjee added.

Union Ministers P. Chidambaram, Vayalar Ravi, H.R. Bhardwaj, Anand Sharma, former minister Oscar Fernandes, Chief Ministers Sheila Dikshit and Bhupinder Singh Hooda, senior Congress leaders, Jayanthi Natarajan, Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar and Sachin Pilot were also present at the occasion.

Dr. Birla, in his illustrious career as an enterprising captain of the trade and industry, K K Birla's professional interests ranged from fertilizers and chemicals to heavy engineering, textiles and sugar. He was also the Chancellorof the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, reckoned to be at par with the prestigious IITs.

He also instituted the K K Birla Foundation, which commends excellence in arts, philosophy, literature, scientific research and sports. A multi-faceted personality, he authored 'Brushes with History', an autobiographical account and two other compilations, 'Indira Gandhi: Reminiscences,' and 'Partners in Progress - Collection of Selected Speeches and Writings'. (ANI)