In a Shifting Global Order, Kumar Mangalam Birla Says India’s ‘Amrit Kaal’ Has Arrived

• Birla highlights global instability driven by superpower rivalry.

• Calls current period a once-in-a-generation opportunity for India.

• Emphasises self-reliance, resilience and national capability.

• Credits digital infrastructure, GST and financial inclusion reforms.

• Urges businesses and youth to build globally competitive Indian champions.

As geopolitical rivalries intensify and economic uncertainty ripples across continents, Kumar Mangalam Birla believes India stands at a defining moment in its history. Addressing an event at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur, the Aditya Birla Group chairman described the current global landscape as uneven and unstable, shaped by the clashing ambitions of major powers. Yet, he argued, this very turbulence has opened a historic window for India.

Birla was speaking at the closing ceremony of the RSS’s annual ‘Karyakarta Vikas Varg-Dwitiya’ training camp, where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat delivered the keynote speech. Reflecting on the international climate, Birla observed that the world is undergoing rapid and often unpredictable change, producing outcomes that are far from balanced.

He stressed that the enduring lesson from history is the need for nations to strengthen their own capabilities and resilience. According to him, countries that invest in self-sufficiency and adaptability are better positioned to withstand external shocks.

Calling the present period “Amrit Kaal” for India, Birla said the country is benefiting from a rare convergence of advantages: a young and expanding workforce, expanding infrastructure, digital connectivity and deepening financial systems. Together, he said, these elements present a once-in-a-generation opportunity for national advancement.

The global environment, he noted, remains volatile. Crude oil prices have fluctuated significantly over the past three years, partly due to ongoing conflicts. Supply chains have faced repeated disruptions for the third time this decade. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence has rapidly moved from theory to everyday reality. Birla suggested that AI could reshape economies and societies on a scale that surpasses most previous technological breakthroughs.

Drawing on his own family’s legacy, he recounted how his great-grandfather, G D Birla, established Grasim shortly after India gained independence in 1947. At the time, key cotton-producing regions had become part of Pakistan, posing a serious challenge for India’s textile sector. Rather than remain dependent on imports, G D Birla pivoted toward man-made fibres—an innovative move that laid the groundwork for future growth.

Today, Birla said, Grasim has evolved into a global player across sectors including building materials, chemicals and fibres. He framed this journey as an example of “Atmanirbharta,” or self-reliance, which he described not merely as an economic doctrine but as a cornerstone of nation-building.

He also highlighted common ground between the RSS and the Aditya Birla Group, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, social development, women’s empowerment and skill training. For Birla, self-reliance ultimately rests on confidence, long-term investment and the ability to adapt to changing global realities.

Turning to policy, the industrialist commended the government’s efforts to expand digital infrastructure, widen financial inclusion and implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He argued that large corporations must work alongside small and medium enterprises, viewing them as partners rather than competitors. India, he said, should aspire to create at least 100 globally competitive national champions across sectors.

He also encouraged young Indians to pursue entrepreneurship, urging them to create products and enterprises that serve domestic needs while competing internationally.

In his address, Mohan Bhagwat echoed concerns about global conflicts, pointing out how wars elsewhere can affect domestic realities such as fuel prices. However, he urged citizens to look beyond immediate challenges and recognise the opportunities embedded within crises. According to Bhagwat, as the world searches for alternatives to conflict-driven and self-centred development models, India’s moment on the global stage has arrived.

Together, the remarks underscored a shared message: amid global flux and uncertainty, India has a chance to strengthen its capabilities, assert its resilience and shape its own path in a rapidly changing world.