From Affluence to Ashes

Everyone is busy recording his success story in this world, ignorant that what awaits him at the end of his life’s journey is a story of failure rather than success.

Ghanshyam Das Birla (1894-1983) was modern India’s most significant industrial magnate. He led an extremely principled life, which was the secret of his success. Starting his career with paltry resources at the age of twelve, he reached such a height of success that his family now has broader commercial interests than any single-family in India.

Mr Birla would always rise at five in the morning and remain engrossed in his work until 9 pm. He led a simple life, often cooking his meals. He drank coffee instead of liquor and would take nothing but water in between meals. Whether in India or abroad, he never missed his morning walk. On June 11, 1983, in London, he went out to walk on Regent Street after breakfast. After a while, he felt some discomfort and informed his aides. Alarmed, they brought him back home immediately. No sooner had he reached home than he collapsed. He was taken to London’s Middlesex Hospital, where he regained consciousness for a while. “What is wrong with me, Doctor?” he inquired. The doctors told him that they would be able to say within five minutes after a check-up. However, he died before the doctors could complete their examination. It was Mr Birla’s wish that his last rites should be performed at the place of his death. Accordingly, he was cremated at an electric crematorium in London, and his ashes were brought to India to be scattered in the rivers of his motherland.

Mr Birla wrote many books. The Hindi title of one of them is ‘Rupaye ki Kahaani’ (Money Story). However, in the end, Mr Birla’s “Money Story” became a story of ashes.

So it is with everyone in this world. Everyone is busy recording his success story, ignorant that what awaits him at the end of life’s journey is a story of failure rather than success.