Aditya Birla Group, a name synonymous with trust, is not a new name for any of us. It has
been associated with our lives since as early as 1857, when it was founded by Shri Seth Shiv
Narayan Birla as a cotton trading house. It is interesting to note that its foundation year is the
same as that of India’s first independence movement, thus getting its inspiration to free
millions of Indians out of poverty, illiteracy and depravity, not to forget the central role the
House played in India’s struggle for self-realisation. The legacy of Birlas was further
cemented by Shri Ghanshyam Das Birla, who set up crucial industries in the pre-independent
India, only to enable his motherland to walk the road towards rapid industrialisation,
modernisation and development. It was Shri Ghanshyam Ji’s vision of nation building which
influenced his grandson Shri Aditya Vikram Birla to lay the foundation of the current
behemoth that ABG is, making it India’s first MNC and changing millions of lives in its
course. Under the able leadership of Shri Aditya Birla and his son, Mr. Kumar Mangalam
Birla, the group has achieved several milestones, becoming one of the largest manufacturing
conglomerates in the world. But what cannot be quantified is the sea of change it has brought
to the world, and more importantly, to India. While it is the direct source of livelihood for
more than 120,000 people worldwide, the number of lives it is touching and changing is in
billions - educating children, empowering women, helping thousands to access affordable
healthcare, constructing and electrifying houses, skilling people and many others, the benefits
of which will be reaped by generations to come. While on a micro level, it helps an individual
achieve her dreams, on a macro level, it helps the Indian economy take a stride towards its
rightful place, i.e. to be the global powerhouse and growth engine that it once was. The group
itself is in its way to becoming the “Aditya” of the modern India, bringing in change and
continuity, and this is exactly what the beautiful logo of ABG symbolises.
The most challenging situation I had to face during my journey towards my ambitions is the passing
away of my father when I was 7 years old. It was a difficult journey for my mother, my sister and I.
Each day since then has taught me something valuable. It has taught me to stand up on my feet, to
never give up on my dreams, to shoulder responsibility and not shy away from it. It has taught me to
be self-reliant, to accept my successes humbly and to accept my failures as challenges for the future. It
has also taught me the value of family, friendship and relationships, and that it is very hard yet crucial
to maintain them. I have also learnt to view things rationally, and not emotionally or radically. Now I
know how challenging it is to be the head of a family; therefore, it has also taught me how to maintain
a perfect balance between professional and personal lives. Another important lesson that I have learnt
from it is the value of money. As someone for whom each rupee can get you only one out of a
hundred necessities, I have learned to weigh the value of the necessity with the opportunity cost that I
will be incurring. Hence, I have learnt to value and respect each penny that comes into our hands.
Overall, it has made me a responsible, matured and rational boy. So, whenever I look back now to
those days, it makes me realise that although we have come very far, yet there are promises I have to
keep and miles to go before I sleep.
#IIMRaipur #ABGLPWooMe