Part A
Only a few companies have a portfolio as diverse as Aditya Birla Group so it's well proven that every Indian has been touched by ABG's product at some point. The brand that has had the biggest impression on me is Van Heusen.
Wearing formals has always been a dreadful task for me as it is difficult to find a readymade, off-the-rack coat that fits me well due to my slender frame. In 2015, at the time of my 12th class farewell, I went to the nearest mall that had some brands (not Van Heusen) and I was far from finding a coat that was fit me well. I had formal pants with me but finding a coat that fits well was always going to be a difficult task and given the time constraints. Boards were arriving and I was running between tuitions and pre-boards. I was short on time so my mother and sister had to go coat shopping for me. They went to Ambience mall in Gurgaon and I had really low hopes that I could get a coat that fit me well. But surprisingly they came back with a coat that fit me amazingly and I still have that coat. Given that I wasn't present for trials of coat and still it fit me well made me appreciate Van Heusen and the people in the store who helped my mother make the right choice. That coat had to be of Van Heusen and I loved that coat because it was my first formal wear. I wore it on several occasions and I still have it with me
Part B
“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”
-J.K Rowling
Throughout our existence, we have always feared the unknown. I am no different.
I used to be very timid, nervous and a textbook overthinker. I had a very smooth life until 2015 when my father divorced my mother. I always knew that day would come because the situation at my home was never really cordial. My mother was obviously in a bit of a shock, which subsequently turned into sadness in a few weeks. The moment I dreaded had arrived and I too was at my lowest. But somehow, when you see others around you drained and defeated, you just have to rise and take charge. That’s the beauty of the human spirit.
My younger sister was lacking a fatherly presence and I tried to give her all the guidance and support that I could give as a brother. I helped her and my mom climb out of the void they were in after what happened. Apart from the emotional support, I was also in charge of the house, answering the queries of our typical Punjabi family and also trying not to let the whole situation escalate into something grave. All of this while handling my 12th class boards, college entrances, GDs etc.
Sadly, I am not perfect and I failed at quite a few crucial points. But what I did learn is that fear is good. It is necessary. Because after we lose, we get to our lowest point. We are full of disappointment. But we are also sure of one thing. That nothing worse can happen from here. I believed that. That nothing worse could happen than this. That if I handled this situation well, albeit a few tears here and there, I can handle anything life throws at me. I transformed from a timid and nervous boy into an emotionally stable and strong man (coincidentally that’s when I turned 18 too).
I am also a bit scared of B-school, placements, competitions etc. but I love that because when I complete all of this (and I definitely will), I will become a better professional and a better human being as well.
