Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, on Monday, reinforced the conglomerate’s strong and ongoing commitment to the state of Rajasthan, disclosing ambitious plans for future investments totaling Rs 50,000 crore. These investments will be spread across key sectors, including cement, renewable energy, telecom, and retail, signaling the group's intention to further cement its presence in the state and contribute to its economic growth. Speaking at the Rising Rajasthan Summit, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Birla shared his vision for scaling up investments and reiterated the importance of Rajasthan to his group’s global operations.
In his speech, Birla proudly reflected on the Aditya Birla Group’s deep historical connection with Rajasthan, emphasizing that the group's roots trace back to Pilani, the birthplace of his grandfather and family patriarch, GD Birla. This connection, according to Birla, goes beyond business and extends into the heart of the state’s development, with a deep appreciation for Rajasthan’s unique cultural and educational contributions. Birla even referred to himself as an ambassador for Rajasthan to India and the rest of the world, speaking with great pride about his home state. His address included a traditional Rajasthani greeting, "Padharo mhare desh" (Welcome to my land), as he warmly welcomed Prime Minister Modi to the summit.
Describing the origins of the Aditya Birla Group, Birla recalled that the journey, which has now spanned across six continents and 41 countries, began just 200 kilometers away from the summit venue in Pilani. With a global presence, the Aditya Birla Group is now valued at a staggering $65 billion. Reflecting on this impressive journey, Birla acknowledged that it was humbling to see how far the group had come, especially when considering the modest beginnings in the state of Rajasthan.
The group's relationship with the state is not only rooted in business success but also in educational and social development. Birla spoke with pride about the contribution of his family to the state’s educational landscape, particularly noting that BITS Pilani, which started as a small school in the early 20th century, has evolved into one of India's most prestigious educational institutions. Birla highlighted that the university has produced over 6,500 alumni who have gone on to become founders or co-founders of successful startups around the world. Some of these ventures have achieved remarkable success, with 13 of them rising to the status of unicorns or decacorns, a testament to the institution’s global impact.
Delving into the Aditya Birla Group's current operations in Rajasthan, Birla outlined the group's significant investments in the state. Six of the group's businesses have a notable presence in Rajasthan, employing over 25,000 people. One of the most prominent contributions is through UltraTech Cement, which has an enormous cement production capacity of over 20 million tonnes in the state—this alone exceeds the total cement capacity of the UK. In the telecom sector, the group’s arm serves nearly eight million subscribers across Rajasthan, supported by a network of 11,000 telecom sites and an impressive 10,500 km of optic fibre cables.
Birla also shared specific expansion plans for the coming years, underscoring his commitment to Rajasthan’s growth. These include a projected investment of Rs 6,000 crore in the renewable energy sector over the next year or two, as part of the group's broader sustainability goals. He also mentioned plans to increase UltraTech Cement’s capacity at Nathdwara, further strengthening the group’s cement manufacturing presence. In addition, he highlighted an initiative to set up a jewellery manufacturing facility in the state, recognizing Rajasthan’s rich artisanal talent and craftsmanship in the sector.
Beyond the specific investments, Birla outlined his vision for Rajasthan’s continued growth and economic development, identifying four key pillars: Minerals, Infrastructure, Tourism, and Renewable Energy, which he collectively termed “MITR,” an acronym meaning “friend.” He firmly believes that these sectors will drive Rajasthan’s economic rise, pointing to the state’s mineral wealth, expanding infrastructure, tourism potential, and increasing capacity in renewable energy as essential factors in the state’s future growth. His optimism about the state's potential was evident when he stated, “Rajasthan’s rise is inevitable.”
The chairman praised Rajasthan’s vision for “Developed Rajasthan 2047,” a bold agenda aiming to stimulate industrial growth, create employment opportunities, eradicate poverty, and raise the standard of living for its citizens. He lauded the state’s progressive approach to development and emphasized how this aligns with the Aditya Birla Group’s long-term aspirations for a thriving, prosperous Rajasthan.
Birla reflected on his experience of interacting with a journalist from a leading global publication, where he mentioned that, in his 30 years of professional experience, he had never seen such intense competition among Indian states to attract investments. He attributed this dynamic shift in the investment climate to the Prime Minister’s vision of cooperative federalism, which, Birla noted, has set the stage for an open and competitive environment for growth across states.
Concluding his address, Kumar Mangalam Birla extended a warm invitation to global investors, urging them to explore the opportunities available in Rajasthan. He enthusiastically declared, “Rajasthan is ready, are you?” His call to action underscored the state's readiness to embrace further investments, signaling to global businesses and investors that Rajasthan is prepared for the next stage of growth and development. Birla’s remarks highlighted the immense potential of the state as a key investment hub in India.
