Brands shape our lives just like winds shape the current, taking it to where it’s meant to be. Aditya Birla Group (ABG) has been one such brand, shaping my life in subtle yet definite ways, from childhood, until today and in the future.
The childhood memories of motherly love, wrapped in Freshwrapp to replenish and revitalize the young soul in school, left a strong association between the love and packing it came within. Growing up, Pantaloons and provided me with the trendiest fashion, enabling an introverted boy like me to shine out among the crowd.
My hard work got me in another endeavor of the Birla Family, the prestigious engineering college, BITS-Pilani. In those remote regions, Idea was the only telecom that could connect me with my family, helping me adjust in a place far from home. During my college, I learned to grow, to come out of my shell, to be will to open up to vulnerabilities and opportunities. I still remember the day I decided to take part in a debate competition, my knees were weak and my arms were sweaty. It was in those times that a formal shirt and pant I had specially bought from Peter England, my first venture into this style of dressing, showed me an image of myself that I had always envisaged but could never completely materialize. It gave me confidence in myself, my content and my delivery. This missing link in my personality once filled, enabled me to perform at my peak, and I was rewarded with 2nd position in the competition.
I had ventured out of my comfort zone, and it paid a dividend. This gave me the thrill to try something new, to read more about the world, to broaden my horizon. I met different people, explored different option and started to look at the world differently, and realized I wanted a job which was challenging, multidimensional and constantly provokes you to grow. MBA seemed to the right choice for me, can CAT was the path to it.
But scoring good marks is one thing, clearing the interview another. I needed something makes me look mature and professional. It was in those times that I bought my first suit, a Van Heusen design. It was love at first sight. Its blue color, soft yet firm texture, and the perfect fit made me feel at home as if it was custom designed for me. I wore that to my interviews and succeeded in getting admission into MDI Gurgaon. I thought the smooth sailing of life begins from now, and boy I was wrong!
The induction phase of college reminded me of the training US Navy SEALs go through during their aptly named “Hell Week”. It was the same for us. With a bare couple of hours sleep, constantly running around campus doing assignments, hours of patiently sitting and waiting for the next task, my life seemed to be like running on a treadmill with someone else controlling the speed. But during those tough times when I had to adjust to this new routine, it was my Louis Phillip shirt that persisted in masking the sweat and pain I was going through on the inside. It kept me looking fresh to others and inspired me to feel the same on the inside.
Looking back, I still smile at myself, at the feelings of surrender that used to constantly flood my mind during those initial days. I have willingly chosen this path, knowing that the road to self-improvement is paved with pain.
And I have miles to go before I sleep…
