The Atharva Veda says, “The one who is benevolent and liberal enjoys peace, happiness and prosperity.” This Hellical formation of DNA is abundantly found in the Birla Family. This has been manifested in the personality of late Shri Ghanshyamdasji Birla Popularly known as G D Birla, who was inspired by the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi with whom he shared a special Bond.The leadership and financial assistance that he provided to the Harijan Sevak Sangh, Financial assistance provided to Aligarh Muslim University and to Birla Vishwakarma Mahavidyalaya College in Baroda are a few examples of that characteristic DNA that transcended beyond Caste, Creed and Religion. These and many more such acts of Benevolence assumed great National Relevance during those times.
While many of the Initiatives from Birla’s could be labelled as cheque Book philanthropy, the DNA underwent some modification over the years. In Late Aditya Birla this evolution was manifested and Empowerment became the focus of most of the Initiatives. Everyone knows the saying, “You give a man a Fish and you feed him for a day, but you teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. Channelizing resources to ensure that people are empowered to meet their requirements became the focus of Initiatives that Aditya Ji took up.
The next mutation of the DNA took place and Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman , Aditya Birla Group of Industries, institutionalised this Process and Service and took upon them to uplift the community around their Establishments the world over. Education, Healthcare, Sustainable livelihood, Women empowerment projects, Espousing social Reforms became the epitome of their Initiatives. Absolute justice to the Ideals initiated by Ghanhyamdas Ji steered by Aditya Ji and Institutionalised by Kumar Mangalam Ji could not have had a better Leader than Smt. Rajashree Ji Birla who had seen the vision and the thought process, quite clearly with Adityaji.
Rajashreeji has steered the activities of the Aditya Birla Foundation very thoughtfully, with a great deal of understanding of the sensitivities of the Community and its needs. The Foundation has also believed in the functioning of Rotary Initiatives over the years and has provided unparalleled support to the Polio eradication program. One of her personal goal, which is shared unequivocally by the Foundation too, is to work towards non recurrence of Polio with the Rotarians. She continues to inspire and kindle the spirit of Giving in everyone who knows her and believes that one can only get richer by Giving.
Rotary Club of Thane Hills decided to Confer Smt. Rajashree Birla with the DOYENNE OF BENEVOLENCE AWARD on the 9th of July, 2015 and entered its Silver Jubilee year 2015-16. It was indeed a big honour for the Club that she accepted the same from a Rotary Club of a modest stature like Thane Hills. This gesture on her part clearly epitomoises her appreciation and recognition of the Spirit of Giving than the value of giving. The Rotarians of Rotary Club of Thane Hills had a great philosophy to practise that they took back from her on that Day. It was my good fortune to present THE DOYENNE OF BENEVOLENCE AWARD to Smt Rajashree Birla on behalf of Rotary Club of Thane Hills in R I District 3140 amongst over 450 in attendance.