ABG and its Impact in a Common man’s Life – Ankit Das, VGSoM IIT Kharagpur

Right from my teenage years, when Pantaloons became a household name in Kolkata with the introduction of the concept of “malls” in the city – a multi-brand fashion retail chain, I took the baby steps, unknowing to me at that time, of my association with the group. As I was going through my adolescence, I took to brands such as Louis Philippe and Allen Solly with their fabulous line of men’s clothing especially polo tees and chinos to fulfil my fashion needs. Furthermore, interestingly enough, I still have a pair of Van Heusen jeans from my 19^th birthday in my wardrobe.

The strongest influence, however, for me has been Idea, because of my father’s decade-old association with the company before his untimely demise in 2016. The dedication with which he worked and the sense of purpose which gleamed in his eyes will serve as a lifelong inspiration for me in my career and whatever I do in my life. A large part of it can be attributed to the ethics and the nurturing environment in the workplace which led to the longest stint of his 25-year career. He made sure that all of us used one and only one mobile network in the family and no points for guessing which one. 

Part B

During my high school years, I faced a lot of bullies due to my weight being on the wrong side of the weighing scale. It disturbed my physical and mental wellbeing but it did not stop me from participating in various events in my annual school sports. It is true indeed that a strong resolve and a firm determination goes a long way as I managed to qualify for the sprints during my class 9 Sports Day. It was a big achievement for me considering I was competing against some of the fittest people in the school.

My father played a major role in moulding my character and he is and has been my role model since my childhood. Being a computer engineer, he introduced me to the world of computers from a very early age. I gradually developed an aptitude towards it and it transformed from a passing interest to something much more passionate. I participated in the National Cyber Olympiads and I ranked first in my school for two consecutive years.

I carried on with my interest in science and technology to pursue my Bachelors in Technology from one of the best private engineering colleges in West Bengal. Although I had got a job offer from one of the biggest MNCs in India, I decided to go for an MBA after college. I wanted to complement my technical and analytical skills with that of the invaluable leadership and management skills I would gain in a B school before diving into the corporate world.

God had other plans.

On the night of 31^st October 2016, tragedy struck our family which changed our lives forever. My father suffered a heart attack and passed away untimely at the age of 49.  He was a doting father, son and a husband - the breadwinner of the family. I had to support my family at the critical juncture of our lives and had no option but to take up the job. I was, however, determined more than ever to go for an MBA from a reputed institution as my father always wished for me.

Corporate life is never easy and it takes a definite toll on your energy levels. I used to be exhausted after putting my 9 hours every day at the office. It burned out the life out of me but was not able to extinguish my burning desire yet unfulfilled. What I realised was it only matters where your real interest lies. I felt rejuvenated, visualising what I aspired to be as I started solving those difficult but mind-tickling QA problems. I stuck to my routine for the last 6 months or so before CAT, no matter how my day had been. My constant effort and will-power bore fruit when, after several gruelling rounds of tests and interviews, I was offered admission to one of the most prestigious institutions of the country.

#ABGLPWooMe #VGSoM #IITKharagpur