Kumar Mangalam Birla

“The License Raj in India was a time when, to set up an industry, you needed a license. Which made the government an omnipresent and sort of all-pervasive authority.”

“The work environment is very important in determining how enjoyable work is. It is very important to work with smart guys who have a superior level of intellectual bandwidth and still have softer skills as well.”

“The culture of caring and giving permeates many Indian families. In their own way, they are engaged in philanthropic pursuits.”

“It's not a good idea to always look for new frontiers, especially when you have opportunities in your existing businesses, in your own backyard.”

“The shape and composition of the government is important. We haven't reached a point where politics and economics have been totally divorced from each other.”

“I think a leader has many roles to play. So, you know, one role is that of incubating talent; the other is that of being a strategist. It's a very interesting job I've got.”

“Jack Welch is someone who I have always admired. In India, Narayana Murthy is someone who I have great respect for.”

“Only when emotion is involved do you get angry and lose your temper. You could have different points of view, but as long as it is constructive dissent, it is fun.”

“In 1991, the government unleashed the power of India and created a partnership between itself and industry. As a result, India has emerged as an economic success story, and that is a matter of pride for all of us.”

“Well, I think the golden rule I can think of is the fact that you must follow your passion and do something that's close to your heart. And I think that that's very important, well, to be successful and to be happy.”

“I don't think any government is going to go back on the reforms process. There is no government that won't attempt to get people to come and manufacture in India.”

“I didn't have any great talent. I didn't want to become a rock star or an author.”

“I never wanted to become a CA. My father was keen that I become one because he thought that was the right thing for me to do. I didn't have the courage to tell him that I don't want to do it. But now, I can't thank him more for having put me through it.”

“Our mission has always been to be leaders in each of our businesses, which is one, two, or three.”

“My father taught us that to thrive, excellence in technology, quality, and customer service along with cost competitiveness is a prerequisite. His contribution to business, the economy, and society at large can never be underscored enough.”

“The young generation is willing to experiment more. Firstly, they are less motivated by money and compensation, unlike the previous two generations. Secondly, integrity and governance are very important issues for them.”

“Being a conglomerate, each of our businesses has a different challenge; business landscape is different for each business. It makes it challenging as well as exciting.”

“Very often, we think of leadership being at the very top of an organisation. I think what's unique about ABG is that we have a very strong cadre of leaders across the organisation who are highly empowered and therefore play a very major role in the growth and evolution of the organization.”

“GST is a structural move in the right direction. It could take a few months to settle down. It is another one of the government's fundamental shifts which are all very well thought through... It will make us a much more robust economy.”

“I was very fortunate, because I don't think many people get to spend time with their great-grandfathers. So, he passed away when I was 15, so I spent a lot of time with him. We lived together. He traveled a lot, but when he was here, we lived together.”