There’s no real way to define a challenge. What seems as a big feat of achievement for one might be a cakewalk for most and this is why we shy away from showcasing what we feel as an achievement. While physical limitations are ones which are mostly in the limelight it’s the mental ones that need the most help. These are the ones that we veil with a smile and a nod.
I always felt that being an introvert was more of an advantage. It was in my nature to analyse and judge situations before jumping into discussions and this worked in my favour more than often. However, I started doubting myself when I got a chance to move to the city of dreams for a year during graduation. Considering that this would be the first time I had to be among a group of people I had never met was a daunting idea. Even more so because the people around me failed to understand my predicament and look beyond the glam and glitter of Mumbai.
Moving there was a brave decision. But now that I was here, the troubles didn’t seem to fade. I wondered if college was worth this trouble. Would I fit in with the crowd? And to top it all, how would I get to college especially with the famed Mumbai traffic?
My roommate found my ramblings amusing and said “Lets go visit your college, maybe then you’ll get a feel of what is to come tomorrow.” So, we set out of a sultry weekend on a bid to calm my hyper nerves. Not long after we set out the car came to a slow trail, “Traffic already?” I thought.
“Look out, it’s the famous Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The Mahim bay is said to be as rough as it gets during the monsoons”, she said
“And what happens if it crumbles into your rough sea?” I interrupted; it wasn’t unheard of.
“What? I doubt that’s even possible…kyunki iss immarat mein jaan hai” he replied smirking.
Where had I heard that before?
Surprisingly, the sea link made my commute seem like a daze and we reached college in no time. My college was everything I imagined and so much more. But that didn’t mean I would fit in. After all I was from a small city, and the people here seemed way to sophisticated for me.
“Shopping is the solution for everything remember?” she said pulling over to a mall. Pantaloons was loaded with everything I could ever need. “Style your Change…” she said pushing me towards the rows and rows of clothes that seemed to put me on cloud nine. “There’s also Van Heusen and Forever 21 next doors.” After an hour of trying and re trying clothes, I finally felt that I was ready to take on the world. Well, at least a part of it. The clothes bought a sense of confidence and gave me faith in my loud thoughts. It helped me shift my focus to more pressing issues such as overcoming the habit of flying solo and being more dynamic and adaptable to situations and people around me.
A year later while joining IMI, I had no qualms of whether I would fit in or if people will like me or include me. I took pride in being a quiet misfit. Because it was that experience that helped me realise, a teaspoon of faith and a pinch of confidence is all you need “…taaki hum bade iraado mein jaan daalde”
Being a 150-year-old conglomerate, the Aditya Birla Group has made significant impact in the sectors it operates in. The most admirable quality of its workings if how it takes efforts to be in tandem with the Gen Z and its likes. Innovative and non-conventional ideas like virtual 3D trial rooms has surely hit its targets and has made sure that it remains big in our lives.