ABG: The Ever Loyal Companion | Shubhangi Rana, IIFT

Ever since a person starts his/her life, he’s faced by both pleasing and hard circumstances. And while it is important to live the good moments, it is equally important to overcome the bad days that test a person’s survival capabilities. There have been various instances where I have overcome challenges but I would like to highlight some recent ones the most. I was working with a firm and at the same time preparing for an entrance exam. I had gotten a new project around September because of which I was clocking more than 10 hours in office and this was supposedly the most important time for me as my entrance exam was due in two months. Despite this, I used to manage my time and was able to take out at least 2-3 hours for studies, then be it at the cost of sacrificing my sleep only. I made sure that I manage both the things and eventually did well in both. There was another incident which happened back in 2006 when I had decided to learn Taekwondo. Being the only girl in the class, there were times when I felt uncomfortable and weak compared to others, however with my determination and hard work, I overcame that as well and ended up not only completing that course, but bagging a Black Belt in it. These were just two incidents out of the plenty of others where I have shown determination and courage despite the odds to successfully achieve something that I thought was tough but very much a part of the larger dream that I wanted to achieve and I can proudly say that ABG has been a part of most of them in some way or the other. Operating in 35 countries with over 120,000 employees worldwide and having a legacy as old as 162 years, I think it would be true to every extent to say that I have been a small part of Aditya Birla’s group journey and have contributed to this brand to at least some extent if not more. I remember how back in school, my mother used to wake up at 5 in the morning, cook food for me, pack it carefully, only telling me to eat it before it gets cold. I remember the excitement I had while ironing my formals and keeping them ready a day before some important event. I remember the sense of happiness I get while drooling over the memories of my comforting and memory enriching house when I am away from my family in a completely different city all by myself. Though the instances have been different, ABG has been a companion in all of them. Through its brands like FreshWrapp, Allen Solly, Van Heusen, Peter England, Pantaloons, UltraTech Cement, Aditya Birla UtlraTech etc., Aditya Birla has not only established itself in various sectors and contributed considerably to the growth of this country, but have also left its mark in every individual’s life in some way or the other.