India's Growing Influence in Global Business: Birla Highlights Investment and Talent Development
Mumbai, Oct 8, 2023 - Kumar Mangalam Birla, the Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Group, emphasized India's pivotal role in the global economic landscape at the silver jubilee celebration of the Aditya Birla Scholarships programme in Mumbai on Sunday. Birla noted that global corporations increasingly view India not merely as another consumer market but as a critical engine for growth that could significantly enhance their worldwide fortunes.
Birla highlighted the boldness of Indian businesses in making significant global investments despite the uncertain global environment. "Indian businesses are not shying away from making audacious global bets," he remarked, citing the Aditya Birla Group's own extensive investments in the United States, where it has become India's largest investor across various sectors with over $15 billion invested and operations in 20 manufacturing locations across 15 states.
He further illustrated India's rising stature with an example from the automotive industry: "If you see the market cap of Suzuki's India business... it is double of its global parent whereas this figure was just half or so a decade ago." This, he said, reflects a confident India that dares to dream and leads on the global stage.
The event also celebrated the achievements of the Aditya Birla Scholarship Programme, established in 1999 in memory of Aditya Vikram Birla. Over its 25-year history, the scholarship has become one of India's most prestigious, focusing on creating leaders who excel both within India and internationally. "Investment in talent is what shapes the future," Birla stated, underlining the programme's mission to foster a cadre of exceptional leaders.
The programme has supported 781 scholars across disciplines like engineering, management, and law, maintaining a commitment to excellence, diversity, and gender parity, with women making up nearly 30% of its scholars. It collaborates with 22 premier educational institutions, including IITs, IIMs, and National Law Schools, offering substantial financial aid and requiring high academic performance and active participation in extracurricular activities.
Birla concluded by reflecting on the programme's impact, "Today’s India dares to dream, leads with confidence, and is a significant part of the global narrative. In many ways, India is a pioneer." The Aditya Birla Scholarships continue to play a vital role in nurturing the talent that drives this narrative forward.