The younger daughter of industrialist Basant Kumar Birla and Kesoram Industries chairperson Manjushree Khaitan passed away on Thursday at Birla Park, Kolkata, after a long illness. She was 69 years old. Khaitan’s last rites were held later in the evening. Family members, including her nephew Kumar Mangalam Birla, and well-wishers attended the ceremony.
Khaitan joined the Kesoram board in October 1998. Her father, Basant Kumar Birla, made his succession plan clear in 2013 when he appointed her as executive vice-chairman. In July 2019, after her father’s death, she became the non-executive chairperson.
Manjushree Khaitan Passes Away at 69
Kesoram Industries chairperson Manjushree Khaitan passed away after a long illness. In 2019, she became the non-executive chairperson. Despite her illness, she managed the company with determination.
Through a corporate insolvency resolution, Kesoram’s tire business was separated and acquired by Himadri Speciality Chemical and Dalmia Bharat Refractories. According to a company insider, Khaitan was deeply committed to Kesoram and had a remarkable memory. She was also involved in educational initiatives for over forty years, particularly with the Ashok Hall group of schools. She was passionate about supporting underprivileged girls and was a notable art enthusiast, aiding many artists through the Birla Academy of Fine Arts.
Her daughter, Vidula Jalan, also passed away last year. The last rites were attended by family members, including her nephew Kumar Mangalam Birla and well-wishers.
Manjushree Khaitan’s Legacy at Kesoram Industries
For the past year, Khaitan managed the company from her bungalow on Gurusaday Dutta Road with help from senior executives. Those who worked with her remembered her strong determination to rescue Kesoram from debt, even while she was suffering from a chronic illness. Despite her health problems, she never gave up, implemented several restructuring measures, and invested money into the company.
Kesoram, which has two cement plants in South India, decided last year to approach UltraTech Cements, run by Kumar Mangalam Birla, to take over the cement business in an all-stock deal. The regulatory clearance for this transaction is still pending. If the demerger and transfer proceed as planned, Kesoram would be left with no significant business operations.
Khaitan was also deeply committed to education, particularly with the Ashok Hall group of schools. Additionally, she was a patron of art and culture, supporting many artists through the Birla Academy of Fine Arts.
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