Neerja Birla: Change Agent

Having the ‘rich and famous’ tag  is not always about fancy lifestyles. For some the tag is about creating real social impact by changing the lives of millions of underprivileged people. While we may have seen many examples of that, one person that stands out is Neerja Birla. As Founder and Chairperson of Mpower, a movement that aims to affect a positive change in the attitudes towards mental health, Neerja Birla has shown that social change is not just about the government policies but about individual responsibility.

Through her numerous social initiatives, Birla is spreading awareness about pressing social issues like education for the underprivileged, social stigmas that prevail and de-stigmatising narratives of mental health. She has been working with impact groups across the country to convey the message and her tireless efforts are bringing smiles to millions and changing lives too. As mother of three children, Birla says this role is closest to her heart. In fact she exemplifies the work-home balance in  a way that many of us aspire to do. 

Birla is also the Chairperson of The Aditya Birla Integrated School, which offers state-of-the- art holistic and personalised learning to children with learning and intellectual disabilities. Birla is also a board member of Pratham and Make-a-Wish Foundation and Save the Children. 

An avid reader and a fitness pro, Birla makes sure she gets her routine two hour workout daily. Her preferred choice is outdoor exercise — cyclicing and bootcamps. Birla believes that mental health is the most neglected aspect of fitness and has gone on record to talk about how she overcame a difficult phase while dealing with post-natal depression.

Given her active role as a social entrepreneur who is trying to change lives and make a real impact to social change, Birla has been the recipient of numerous awards like-- Icon of Excellence Award by Ficci-FLO as well as the Woman of Excellence Award by FICCI. She continues to be an inspiration for many who want to make a real difference. 

Birla believes that mental health is the most neglected aspect of fitness and has gone on record to talk about how she overcame a difficult phase while dealing with post-natal depression