TWO GREAT STALWARTS DIE
K K BIRLA & THOMAS BATA (Shoes)
Close on the heels of each other two great Industrialists with India connectionshave died.
One India’s own illustrious KK Birla at age 90 died in Kolkota soon after his wife Manoramadevi who died last month. Birlaji from Pilani was an icon of India and industrialist in sugar, fertilizers, chemicals, heavy engineering, textiles, shipping, newspaper etc. His philantrophy and support of various causes and temples etc are legendary including educational institutions. He was a Rajya Sabha Member of Pariament for 18 years and KK Birla foundation has awards in various fields.
The Other is Thomas BATA jr, a Shoe Maker Industrialist of Eastern European descent- No he was not Indian!! But No one of Indian origin or from 27 countries that sells BATA shoes could hav missed his brand. The Czechkoslavakian native suffered under Nazis and later under Communists and immigrated to Canada. he went back to Czechkoslavakia. Sales for BATa shoes worldwide are reportedly 300 million per year
