In everyman’s life there comes a difficult period. In G.D. Birla’s life the decade after the death of his wife Mahadevi constitutes that period. He was sad and saddled with the problem of the bringing up of motherless young children aged 2 to 10. At the administrative level Britain was bringing about changes in its industrial policies. Birlas were entering into new fields of industrial activity. G.D. had become a popular figure and was engaged in works of charity and social welfare as well. He was required to undertake foreign travels too. Birla was able to coordinate his multi-dimensional activities with his astute business sense and timing.
The task of bringing up his children was taken up by his brothers. It proved the efficacy of joint family tradition. The difficult period was being faced by the united family.
In 1929 G.D. Birla shifted to Delhi and started five ventures there. He often visited Benaras, Mumbai, Kolkata and Pilani mainly to meet family. Rameshwardas and Brijmohan were taking care of the children as best as they could. But G.D. himself could spend little time with his children. He would rush to Mumbai or Kolkata to pay a flying visit to them. Or the children would come to Delhi to be with him for a few days and then go back just like busy tourists.
In 1930 G.D. Birla felt the children must stay close to him. He sent for his sons and nephews to live with him. The eldest Laxmi Niwas was already in Delhi looking after his Delhi ventures. Krishna Kumar and Basant Kumar were admitted in Modern School hostel of Delhi. Krishna Kumar suffered from pneumonia. The children infact were used to close and warm family environment. G.D. was too busy to find time for them. So, the children were sent back to Kolkata. The children could be with their father only later when they joined business as grown ups.
In Marwari society the boys and the girls were brought up differently for different modes of life. The boys were supposed to join the family businesses. High education or degrees and diplomas were not considered essential. Being able to run family business successfully was the ultimate education. The girls were supposed to marry early and prove a good home maker in line with the traditional values of joint family system.
About the education of boys G.D. Birla thought they must get adequate education, practical knowledge and inculcate leadership qualities as they were bound to take charge of the family businesses and take them forward into new fields. Higher education was not a must. Amongst Birla only the son of Brijmohan graduated. His own sons joined colleges but went into business without gaining any degrees.
The children were brought upon strict traditional values and norms. Onion and garlic was forbidden. They were told the boys who go for taste don’t live long. Birlas thought food must be taken like drugs. The overdose could be disatrous. Also forbidden were sweets, cake, pastry, candies or western foods. Paan, betelnut and tobacco were looked down upon. Drinking was the biggest sin and sacrilege.
The violators of food code were punished by the families. The son of Rameshwardas was severely reprimended when he transgressed the code. Birla’s (G.D.) nephew Gajanana started to indulge in music, dance and smoking. He was warned to give up the evil ways of life. When the advice and warning failed to rein Gajanana severe action was taken.
In 1929 he was married against his will. The marriage failed as Gajanana started relationship with other women. In 1935 G.D. Birla and Rameshwardas took legal action and banished him from the family. He was to get Rs. 1000 a month livelihood money only. The responsibilities of his wife and children were taken up by the Birla family.
The other sons and daughters of Birlas were married to respectable traditional Maheshwari families. Laxmi Niwas married a Lodwal girl. Krishan Kumar married a girl of Taparia family. Basant Kumar got married to Sarla Biyani, a girl of very respectable family. Chandrakala was married into Daga family, a successful business owner in tea, textile and insurance. Anusuiya went to Taparia clan and Shanti married Krishangopal Maheshwari.
The marriage gave great satisfaction to G.D. Birla. The sons and nephews joined the business and stayed straight.
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