From Riches to Ashes

Ghanshyam Das Birla (1894-1983) was a famous Indian industrialist. He started his career at the age of 18, beginning with a small business. His business expanded so much that today his family is one of the wealthiest in the whole of India.

Mr. Birla led a very disciplined life. Every morning, he would get up at around five. He remained continuously busy with work till nine in the evening. Instead of alcohol, he would drink coffee. In between meals, he would take nothing but water. Often, he would cook his food himself.

Every morning, Mr. Birla would set out for a walk. No matter where he was, in India or abroad, this was part of his routine. On 11th June 1983, he was in London. That morning, he had his breakfast and went out towards Regent’s Park for a stroll. Shortly after, he experienced some pain, and his assistants who were with him took him back to his house. He fell unconscious and was taken to a hospital. There, he recovered his consciousness for a short while.

He asked the doctor, “What is wrong with me, Doctor?”

The doctor replied that he would examine him in five minutes and then let him know. But before the doctor could finish his investigation, Mr. Birla died.

In his will, Mr. Birla had mentioned that his last rites should be conducted in the place where he died. And so, his body was cremated in London. Later, his ashes were brought to India and scattered in rivers there.

Mr. Birla did not study in a regular school. He developed his capabilities though his own hard work. He was the author of several books. One of these was titled in Hindi Rupya ki Kahani or ‘The Story of the Rupee’.

Mr. Birla wrote ‘The Story of the Rupee’, but finally he himself was to become ‘The Story of Ashes’.

Exactly the same holds true for every other person, too. Everyone is writing the story of his success, although finally the place where he will arrive is the grave.