Neerja Birla

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Neerja Birla
Born (1971-04-15) 15 April 1971 (age 54)
NationalityIndian
Occupation(s)philanthropist, educationist, Mental health advocate
Children Ananyashree Birla, Aryaman Birla and Adavitesha Birla

Neerja Birla is an Indian philanthropist, educationist, and mental health advocate. [1] [2] She is the founder and chairperson of the Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET), a non-profit organization that focuses on education, mental health, and inclusive support for children with developmental challenges. [3] [4]

Contents

Early life

Neerja Birla was born in 1971, into a business family and later married industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group. [5] [6]

Career

In 2016, she started Mpower an mental health initiative aimed at reducing stigma and improving access to quality mental health care. [7] [8] [9] The Aditya Birla World Academy a Mumbai-based international school founded under ABET, offers a blend of international curricula and emphasises emotional well-being along with academic rigour. [10]

On World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10), Neerja Birla — Founder and Chairperson of Mpower, the mental health initiative under the Aditya Birla Education Trust — emphasizes the urgent need to prioritize suicide prevention as a key national development goal. [11]

Awards

References

  1. Madhukalya, Anwesha (11 May 2023). "'We still struggle to reach remote areas, secure funding': Mpower's Neerja Birla on mental healthcare challenges in India - BusinessToday". Business Today (India).
  2. V Risbood, Vaibhavi (7 April 2025). "Exclusive: Neerja Birla says the key to mental well-being is accepting "the uncertain changes"". The Times of India .
  3. "Mental health issues affecting productivity, say women corporate sector employees". The Hindu . 8 March 2025.
  4. "World Suicide Prevention Day: data shows rising trend of high-risk suicide cases among Pune's youth". The Indian Express. 9 September 2025.
  5. Cornelious, Deborah (22 October 2018). "'Nobody's life is perfect'". The Hindu .
  6. "Meet Neerja Birla: The founder and chairperson of Aditya Birla Education Trust and the wife of Kumar Mangalam Birla; know about her lifestyle, journey, and net worth". The Financial Express. 22 September 2023.
  7. Cornelious, Deborah (22 October 2018). "'Nobody's life is perfect'". The Hindu .
  8. "Mpower Announces Launch of Sports Psychology Division to Elevate Athlete Performance". The Indian Express. 31 August 2024.
  9. "Off The Cuff with Dr. Neerja Birla". ThePrint. 10 October 2022.
  10. Gopalan, Krishna (24 December 2024). "Neerja Birla: Championing inclusive education and breaking barriers in mental health awareness - BusinessToday". Business Today (India).
  11. Datta, PT Jyothi (10 September 2025). ""Integrate mental health into primary healthcare support to keep it in communities" : Neerja Birla". Business Line.
  12. "Dr. Neerja Birla". G100 | Group of 100 Global Women Leaders.
  13. "Dr Neerja Birla". British Asian Trust.
  14. "Change Champion Award for Neerja Birla". Business Line. 24 November 2021.
  15. "Most Powerful Women 2024: This Year's Top Women in Business". Fortune India.
  16. "Women achievers honoured in Chennai". The Times of India . 26 February 2019.
  17. Rabara, Madhuri (20 September 2025). "Neerja Birla, Rishi Rich & Taj Foods win big at Asian Achievers Awards 2025". Asian Achievers Awards.
  18. "Neerja Birla, Music Producer Rishi Rich and Taj Foods win big at Asian Achievers Awards in London". Entrepreneur. 29 September 2025.