Aditya Birla Group (ABG) is a well known business conglomerate in India touching a common man either directly or indirectly in day to day life. Their activities are so vast and varied that they influence us in one way or the other. ABGs operations extend to trade, service and industry covering super markets, telecommunications, finance, cement, aluminium, textiles, chemicals etc. catering to the needs of the country and the world. To name a few, MORE super markets, Vodafone Idea, Grasim, Ultratech Cement, Hindalco, Indian Aluminium, Aditya Birla Nuvo, Pantaloons etc. are part of ABG.
The group was originally started as a Jute Manufacturing company which later spread its wings to various other fields by establishing new companies and through many takeovers. Thus it became a premier conglomerate of diverse businesses. Presently the group is headed by Mr. Kumara Mangalam Birla as chairman under whose dynamic leadership the group expanded its activities very fast to become a multi product and multi service corporation.
Coming to the impact ABG has on me I have to say the following.
When I buy provisions from MORE supermarkets, I know that ABG is behind it. When I drink Coke from an aluminium can, I guess it could have been made from ABGs Aluminium. When I see huge dams, bridges and buildings, I think of Ultratech Cement. I am reminded of ABG when I come across Vodafone billboards and their outlets. When I buy garments, it comes to my mind that Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Peter England, Allen Solly etc are their brands. I know that the tyres of our cars contain Birla Carbon. I am also aware that ABGs Non-Banking Financial Companies namely Aditya Birla Capital and AB Finance cater to my financial needs such as home finance, personal loan, SME finance etc. ABGs Insurance companies also play a role in our lives be it personal insurance, health insurance etc.
To provide a robust innovation foundation, the group has set up Research and Development institutions to keep the diverse businesses of the group up to date. From this I can infer that R&D is an important factor in developing the business and in keeping pace with the competitors.
ABGs contribution to the economy of the country is immense. They provide employment to lakhs of people directly and indirectly. Their global presence enhances our country’s reputation besides bringing in valuable foreign currency.
The group is taking necessary steps to make the world greener by reducing energy consumption and emmissions and also by recycling. By participating in Social Service and Educational activities, they are contributing towards the welfare of the society. From this, I understand that a company or business owes its existence to the society and it has a duty to give back to the society a share of its profits.
The vision and business acumen of ABG chairman and his team are awe inspiring. I draw my inspiration from them and feel that one should be passionate, competitive, courageous, cautious, responsible and innovative to thrive in business.
I am Ashish aged 23 years and am a student of IMT Ghaziabad pursuing MBA.
Being the only child to my parents who are educated and employed, I had a pleasant childhood. My school education was without much stress and challenges as my parents were very supportive and studies were easy enough for me.
However during the intermediate education (classes XI and XII ) , there was pressure to score good marks so as to get seat in a reputed engineering college. I admit having faced challenge in order to achieve what was expected of me. To overcome this challenge, I changed my attitude towards studies. I had to sit and study for long hours as against my earlier habit of taking things lightly. However I scored well in the exams and secured seat in a reputed Engineering College(SNU).
In Shiv Nadar University the problems and challenges were tough. Till this time I was never away from my family and never to such far off place alone. Added to this, the college environment was new and the fellow students were from different languages and cultures. I was like a fish out of water.
I decided to be bold and face the challenge. As a first step I brushed aside my fears, improved my language skills and developed a liking for the local food. Thus I adjusted myself to the situation. I was home sick for sometime but later realized that everyone has to stay away from family at some point of time. I made friends, took to football and chess in order to divert my thoughts.
Because of too much indulgence in chess and football I lagged behind in studies. As a result I could not score very well which was incompatible with my brilliant performance at school and inter college. I could realise my folly only after the result that excessive indulgence in anything is not good but I had to accept the reality and make good for the loss. This was the challenge before me after the completion of engineering course.
“Falling down is a part of life. Getting back up is living. I am strong and life will never get me down because the harder I fall the higher I bounce,”I thought. I decided to secure admission in MBA in a reputed business school and started preparing for the CAT exam. I worked hard with a single purpose and was successful in securing a good score. As a result I am in IMT now. I am confident that with my hard work and sincerity, I can face any challenge from hereon and strive to secure a successful career in life.
