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“One
Day At A Time” is the story of Mr.
B.K. Birla and Dr. Saraladevi Birla and
their extraordinary lives spent together
for over 60 years. The biographical narrative
authored by Ms. Ingrid Albuquerque is indeed
multi-faceted and multi-dimensional. It
spans business entrepreneurship, the family’s
close linkage with Gandhiji and the struggle
to unyoke the British rule, the Birla push
for education, apart from how to face the
trials and tribulations with equanimity
and fortitude. Above all, reposing unconditional
faith in God, “One Day At a Time”
has a lot of spiritual undertones as well.
Through the lens of our elders, we comprehend
the love of God, the power of silence and
acceptance of the inevitable, the desire
to continue to be good and exude nobility
in thought, word and deed. There are several
lessons from all walks of life as we read
their story. It is indeed an inspirational
biography.
“One
Day At A Time”, was released on 12
February 2007 by Mr.
S.M. Krishna, the Governor of Maharashtra
at the Ravindra Natya Mandir, Mumbai.
Mrs.
Rajashree Birla who introduced the book
said that it beautifully captured the essence
of their 65 years of togetherness since the
summer of 1942. Said Mrs.
Rajashree Birla, “Their contribution
to society is tremendous. They patronise education,
art and culture and charitable institutions.
Ma and Kakoji are very humane. They are people-oriented.
Wherever they are, they always keep in touch
with everybody. They love meeting people and
give their appreciation and support to different
causes, which have the potential of doing
good on a larger canvas.”
"When
as a fifteen-year old Basant Kumar had stepped
into business entrepreneurship," Mrs.
Ingrid Albuquerque–Solomon writes,
"he felt so invigorated and fully alive
that he saw himself growing in the activity
all his life.” Interspersed with anecdotes
like these, “One Day At A Time”
slowly rises in timbre as it traverses through
the lives of the couple.
Mr.
Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla
Group, Mrs.
Rajashjree Birla and Mrs.
Neerja Birla, and other family members
were present on the occasion. The guest
list also included a host of dignitaries
and well-wishers. The highlight of the evening
was a book reading session by Mr. Rajiv
Mehrotra who read out a passage from the
book, which were Mr.Kumar Mangalam Birla’s
memories about his grandparents.
The
evening ended with a vote of thanks from Mrs.
Neerja Birla who affectionately reminisced
about the couple’s deep rooted spiritualism
and their steadfast determination to succeed
against all odds.
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