Throughout my childhood and my teenage years, there is one lesson I have been taught consistently, time and again. I was always told that there is nothing more important than holding oneself up to the highest standards – in terms of integrity, values, and being true to oneself. It is a lesson that I have been taught repeatedly, and one that I hope I will imbibe in my own future generations when the time comes.
The power of building a life around those things in which you believe the most is immense. From here stems my understanding of the difference between the good and the great – a common vision. Good businesses are run by good leadership, efficient management, and strong strategies – great ones have all of these things and a central core value system that makes the largest of conglomerates run like a close, loving precious family. It is this factor, in my mind, that sets apart the Aditya Birla group from names. The brands that I love dearly, the strong culture associated with it, and the wonderful heritage of the company have made a deep impact on my formative years, and have constantly given me a standard to aspire to.
Ever since I was a little girl, few things fascinated me more than shopping malls. It was not that I liked shopping so much – I was perfectly content with a few pairs of trusty jeans and t-shirts. No, what I loved the most was the smell in departmental stores. Pantaloons was the first big store I remember going to in a mall. I remember more than anything else, being instantly hit by the smell of new clothes, mixed with the air freshener of the store itself. It was pleasant and familiar, and I ended up buying more clothes that day than I had planned to.
In the same way that my teenage years were greatly defined by Forever 21, my twenties seem to be increasingly featuring Van Heusen apparel. My shopping trips with my mother that typically span hours, end with both of us in Pantaloons, a familiar sense of comfort in the air. The more closely I look, the more I can find that Aditya Birla Group has had a lasting impression in my life and my choices.
It was also a name that I heard quite often at home. The name “Birla” would come up quite frequently, particularly while my father sat poring over newspapers. I would ask inquisitively who that was, and the answer was always constant. India’s largest industrialists, he would always say, with deep conviction in his voice. I knew then that I would be studying business eventually.
The most pivotal moment in my life came in 2017, when for the first time I got the opportunity to make some impact in the lives of some young girls I knew who were living with HIV. I took it upon myself to study their nutritional habits and patterns and modify them if possible. Food has always been a very important part of my life, one that has given me a great deal of joy. I wanted to pass on this love and nurturing care to this group of thirty girls. I was able to do so that year, and it was possibly the most rewarding experience of my life.
The common thread running through all these stories in my life has Aditya Birla Group present in all its glory. From childhood to adulthood, it has always been a significant presence in my life as well as in that of those around me.