2008-08-30 14:59:58 - His contribution to education is no less than his contribution to the industrial development of India. At BITS Pilani he built the capacities for the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among BITSians and became their role models.

Dr. K.K. Birla, Chancellor and one of the founding member of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani breathed his last in the morning of Saturday, the 30th August, 2008 at Kolkata after a brief illness.

A condolence meeting of the students and staff memebers of the Institute was held at Pilani on 30 August 2008 evening in the quadrangle of Faculty Division II and emotion choked Dr LK Maheshwari after describing Dr KK Birla's personality, read out the condolence resolution.

Born in Pilani to the legendary Late Shri GD Birla on November 11, 1918 - the holy day of Gopasthmi, Dr. KK Birla inherited a legacy in which the creation of wealth, philanthropy and political leadership were all regarded as

part of nation-building. Spiritual strength and moral values were part of his personal credo.

Dr. Birla was conferred in 1997 the degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by Pondicherry University for his unique contribution to education, industry and society. He set up the KK Birla Foundation, which confers annual awards for excellence in literature, scientific research, Indian philosophy, art and culture, and sports.

He also established the KK Birla Academy, which undertakes research on scientific, historical and cultural subjects, and runs a museum-cum-research centre in Delhi. Dr KK Birla was a member of the Rajya Sabha for three successive terms from 1984 - 2002, served on several committees of Parliament and was on the Central Board of the State Bank of India and ICICI. He also headed the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) and Indian Sugar Mills Association.

Dr KK Birla was a doyen of the Indian industry with his industrial empire spanning across sectors such as sugar, fertilizers, chemicals, heavy engineering, textiles, shipping, etc. Under his stewardship Hindustan Times has become one of the leading newspapers of the nation

According to Dr. KK Birla, 'Education is the most important single factor in achieving rapid economic development and technological progress and in creating a social order founded on the values of freedom, social justice and equal opportunity. Programmes of education are the basis of efforts to forge bonds of common citizenship, to harness the energies of the people, and to develop the natural and human resources of every part of the country. The aim of education is to ensure harmoniously blended development of the students' physical, intellectual, aesthetic, social and spiritual powers and not merely to impart theoretical knowledge and skills.'

Dr. KK Birla took over as the Chairman of BITS in 1983 and redesignated as Chancellor of BITS in 2003. He was deeply involved and closely associated with his visionary father in running both earlier Birla Colleges and BITS, since its inception in 1964. Rrealizing the need for promising graduates in the field of science and technology in shaping up the nation's development, Dr KK Birla decided to carry out capacity expansion of BITS. Under his patronage, BITS started expanding by establishing three campuses in Duabi, Goa and Hyderabad.

His keen interest in the affairs of BITS and Pilani town was reflected in his regular visits which were always eagerly awaited by the students and staff of BITS, Pilani and the local population of Pilani town.

Known for his dignified unassuming personality, gleaming intellect, meticulous planning, deep regard for punctuality, gifted business acumen, and dynamic leadership, Dr. KK Birla made an indelible mark in the field of education, industry, politics, art and culture. For him, achieving excellence was a journey and not a destination. Dr. KK Birla is survived by his three daughters namely, Mrs. Nandini Nopani, Mrs. Jyotsna Poddar, and Mrs. Shobhana Bhartia.

Dr. KK Birla will remain in the hearts and minds of BITS Faculty, students and alumni of the Institute forever.

About BITS Pilani: Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani Rajasthan which has the reputation of pioneering the online examinations for admissions through the path breaking BITSAT and setting a bench mark in industry university collaborations is one among the top ranking universities towering above the rest in various best college surveys in India today. BITS offers degrees in various disciplines presently at Pilani, Dubai, Goa and Hyderabad campuses apart from an array of work integrated learning programmes for HRD of a vast spectrum of Indian corporates. The alumni of the Institute who are who is who in various professions and Proud to be BITSians peaking with Passion Quotient for Alma mater are spread across the globe from Australia to America.