BW Mother’s Day Special: Mothers Behind India’s Business Tycoons, All You Need To Know

It is said that the mother is the first and the most important teacher for a child. We all know so much about the biggest names in the Indian Industrial Arena. But do you know about the mothers behind these strong, influential men? This Mother’s Day in BW Sunday Reads, here is a look at the mothers of these industry big names. 

Rajashree Birla 

Mother of Kumarmangalam Birla, Rajashree Birla is a name to reckon with in the Birla family. Wife of late Aditya Birla, Rajashree Birla is also a philanthropist. 

Following her husband's death in 1995, Rajashree began working in CSR and charity sectors, and also developed the philanthropic organisation funded by her family. She was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2011 by the Government of India.

Photo: Tata Trusts/Twitter

Sooni Tata

The surname itself is the perfect giveaway to who she is. Sooni Tata is the biological mother of Ratan Tata. 

Her maiden name was Sooni Commissariat. She was the niece of Tata group founder Jamsetji Tata. 

However, Ratan Tata did not spend much time with his biological mother. 

After the separation of his parents when he was 10, Ratan Tata was raised and adopted by Navajbai Tata, his grandmother and widow of Ratanji Tata. 

Indira Mahindra 

Anand Mahindra often mentions about his mother Indira Mahindra and how she has influenced this business tycoon’s life. 

Born in Allahabad in UP, she was raised in Lucknow where she completed her education. 

She was also a celebrated author with 4 books under her name, and has worked in a bollywood movie as well. 

Every year Anand Mahindra sponsors a cultural festival organised in her memory in Lucknow. 

Kokilaben Ambani 

Mother of Reliance Group Chairman Mukesh Ambani and wife of late Dhirubai Ambani, Kokilaben Ambani is known to be the driving force behind the Reliance Industries. 

She was born in a middle-class Gujarati Patidar family. Her father, Ratilal Jashraj Patel, was a Telegraph Office employee, and her mother, Rukshmaniben, was a homemaker. In 1955, Kokilaben married Dhirubhai Ambani. She is known as one of the strongest names in the Ambani family. In 2009, she laid the foundation of Kokilaben hospital. 

Shantaben Adani

Mother of Adani Group head Gautam Adani, late Shantaben Adani died in 2010. Not much is known about her in the public space though. 

Originally from Tharad in north Gujarat, she migrated to Ahmedabad with her husband Shantilal Adani and lived at Sheth ni pol in Ratanpol area of the wall city initially. 

She was actively involved in various philanthropic activities during her lifetime.

Tarannum Manjul

BW Reporters Indian Journalist with over two decades of experience in TV and print, writing on politics, governance, lifestyle and more