Industrialist, ex MP K K Birla dies at 90
30 Aug 2008
Noted industrialist and former Rajya Sabha member Krishna Kumar Birla died this morning at his Kolkata residence following a fortnight-long age related illness, following the pasing away of his wife, Manorama Devi Birla, 81, on 29 July.
Birla, chairman of publishing group Hindustan Times and several Birla group companies, had established one of India's largest business empires and was a Rajya Sabha MP for three terms from 1984 to 1990.
His business group spanned key industries like heavy engineering, textiles, sugar, fertilisers, chemicals, shipping and newspapers.
Birla is survived by three daughters - Hindustan Times vice-chairperson Shobhana Bhartia, Jyoti Poddar and Nandini Nupani.
Kolkata dignitaries, governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi , visited the Birla residence to pay their last respects, while vice president M. Hamid Ansari andPrime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh sent in their condolences.