PART A
Way back in 1860's, a cotton trader in Rajasthan Mr. Shiv Narayn Birla, with a vision in mind set in motion one of the largest empires in India today. The Birla empire which now owns over 35 companies and has touched millions of lives worldwide. From North to Canada to Laos and all the way back to homeland India, the Birla Group is a trademark for quality and ethnicity making Indians and India proud.
Most people in India have somehow come across a Birla group product or service. I personally have so many of my "firsts" memories associated with the Birla tag.
When i was a kid, my grandparents had this white ambassador that i loved so much, i would stay in all day even if it was just parked right outside the house. Then, there was my first mobile phone with Vodafone's cellular network, it was the first time i could browse internet on my smartphone and it felt like i had the power to change the world and i can still remember how happy i was to buy that Forever 21 dress that i had been eyeing so long from the first salary i earned. These are only a few mentions of how the Aditya Birla brand is not just a brand but an emotion to most of us.
PART B
"Life is full of unexpected challenges. It comes as a series of ups and downs but those who are humble and have a strong mindset reach all the way to their goals no matter how many obstacle they face"-Well, this is what was running in my mind lying on the hospital bed in the month of October 2018. Right before my CAT exam, i was sick again, the disease i thought i had overcome long back had somehow crept its way back in my life again. My body had puffed up to up to 15 kg more than my actual body weight which was a major hit at my confidence and it felt like i had toxins running inside my veins. No matter how hard i tried i could not focus on my books with my hand tied to the drip. But i had already made up my mind that i would not waste an year of my life and hence i decided not to feel sorry for myself.
The timing sure was bad. When all the other aspirants were burning their midnight oils and giving their 100%, i was advised by the doctors for a complete bed rest and a maximum of 3 hours of study per day before i was discharged exactly 11 days before the Exam day. I had all the support of my friend and family and i knew i had to give my best.
It took only a day for me to strategize my techniques to solve the paper and even though i hadn't recovered already and was fighting a vital disease my sole focus was on the upcoming exam. The day arrived and i took the test, although there is always a chance of improvement but i felt like i had won a war coming out of the exam hall. Soon with the help of my best friend and my family i was healthy and confident again. I was also able to clear CAT and get into an amazing b-school like TAPMI. This taught me that there is always an easier way to give up when time is tough but the one who is determined is the one who comes out the situation satisfied by his efforts.
I am currently in my first year at TAPMI.