As I watched Kumarmangalam Birla, the suave yet mild-mannered business magnate’s debut in Big B’s famed KBC, I felt this was one of finest I’ve witnessed that raised the bar for the hugely popular game-show by many notches. Not just for exciting quiz quotient alone, but for the wisdom, gentility and elegance that it brought to the entire show !
The unassuming KB (Kumar Birla) had earlier modestly claimed to Big B that he was nervous coming to KBC, but he not only answered nearly all the quiz questions posed with alacrity & no fuss (except two audience polls taken) it was his gentle demeanor, watched by his adoring family from the sidelines, that fascinated us as an audience and also how Big B, the superb Quizmaster, brought into focus the facets of the grand old legacy of one greatest industrial families of our country, the ‘Birlas’.
KB shared that when he lost his visionary Father, Aditya Birla, he was only 28 but relied on his strengths of solid educational background (MBA, CA), some work experience in his family business and the strong ethics, value systems ingrained in the family through generations starting from the legendary GD Birla, who’s hallmark was his simplicity. Big B through his personal experiences related many anecdotes of the Birla family including reading out in famous baritone, a treasured letter written by GD Birla to his brother !
KB’s countenance showed that despite being a scion of great eminence in the country, he wore the mantle of industrial power and wealth with gentleness & that he was basically a good ‘Family Man’. This was evidenced from the glowing tributes his two very loving daughters and son gave him as did his wonderful wife Neerja, who also brought out the banter with the human side of a forgetful husband albeit with a huge business empire.
Truly, it was a jugalbandi of sorts with two iconic figures KB and Big B sitting opposite each other, exchanging high praises and sharing funny stories including those relating to another iconic business tycoon & legend, the late Ratan Tata. In fact Big B looked visibly embarrassed when KB called him the ‘GOAT’ not only for the country but the entire world. When the hooter went off to close the show after 90 minutes, Big B looked disappointed that the show was ending. So were we, for such shows are so rare today !
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