The B K Birla Group announced on Thursday the passing of Manjushree Khaitan, the chairperson of Kesoram Industries Limited. Khaitan, aged 68, died at her Kolkata residence following a brief illness, according to group officials. She leaves behind a legacy marked by exceptional leadership and philanthropy.
Khaitan joined the Kesoram Board in October 1998 and became chairperson in July 2019, succeeding her father, the industrialist B K Birla. Her contributions extended beyond corporate leadership to the field of education. She was deeply involved with the Ashok Hall Group of schools for over four decades, focusing particularly on empowering underprivileged girls.
Her death is a significant loss for Kesoram and its subsidiaries, which had been making notable progress under her leadership. The group’s statement highlighted her philanthropic efforts and her dedication to supporting marginalized communities. Khaitan was also an avid art enthusiast, actively supporting numerous artists through her involvement with the Birla Academy of Fine Arts.
The future of her assets is uncertain as Khaitan had no direct descendants. In a recent development, Kesoram decided to transfer its cement business to UltraTech Cement, led by Kumar Mangalam Birla, the grandson of B K Birla. This business accounts for 94 percent of Kesoram’s total revenue. It remains to be seen who will take over the management of the educational institutions she was associated with.
