Kumar Mangalam Birla, born on June 14, 1967, is among the richest persons in India and the eighth youngest billionaire outside India.
He is chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, one of India's largest business groups. Some of the AV Birla group's companies are: Grasim, Hindalco, UltraTech Cement, Aditya Birla Nuvo and Idea Cellular.
He took over as chairman of the group in 1995, at the age of 28, after the sudden demise of his father, Aditya Birla.
When he took charge, there were doubts about his ability to handle the giant business house, but he proved all naysayers wrong.
In the 11 years that he has led the group, he has won admiration, recognition and praise for his management acumen and contribution to the industry.
Under his leadership, the group has consolidated its position in existing businesses and ventured into cellular telephony, asset management, software and BPO.
He is a chartered accountant and also holds an MBA from the London Business School.
Photograph: Sebastian D'Souza/AFP/Getty Images
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