‘ADITYA BIRLA’, just like the name suggests has been like the sun, spreading its light worldwide. Established by Shri Shiv Narayan Birla, has grown multi-folds from a simple trading unit. Ranked amongst the top companies, The Aditya Birla group cannot be bound by words, and has become a feeling, rather an expression in all our lives. There are multiple sectors that the Birla’s have managed to excel in, but the one that managed to leave a significant mark on my life was when the Birla group entered the fashion retail industry.
As a student, lack of confidence is something that keeps creating irrational fears in our minds, over multiple situations. These fears are dealt differently by different people, and in my case, it was related to shopping. Having spent my life in various cities, finding the latest fashion seemed possible because of pantaloons. The affordable, easily accessible fashion made life through school and college more fun and easier. Aditya Birla group hasn’t stopped yet, rather it has managed to stay up with the changing generations need by expanding to include various fashion trends. The group has various brands like Van Heusen, Louis Philippe, Allen Solly, Forever 21, Ted Baker etc. under its umbrella catering to these changes in trends across countries, ethnicity, and generations. I realized the legacy set up by the Birla family, when my father told me his story with Van Heusen and Louis Philippe, that has spanned across over 2 decades and the loyalty towards these brands seems growing with no signs of backing down. This is when I became inspired by the Aditya Birla group, as to how they have managed to stay in the game, with these exponential rates of changes in trends that have killed major suppliers across the globe. It takes determination and dedication at a mammoth level, to maintain such a diverse client base spanning across generations and multiple countries.
Such was my determination when I decided to start playing football in school. As a kid I always engaged in various sports events, and managed to stay on the leaderboard for most of them, till I was criticized for not being able to fulfil the criteria to be a footballer. Having a flat foot was an issue that came up during the football team trials, and as expected I was waitlisted for the school football team. Initially I wasn’t even considered to be a substitute, but after a few practice matches, the coach realized my seriousness towards the game, and added me as a substitute to the team. This was the opportunity I had been waiting for, and I was determined to learn and develop my game, to overcome the perception of the ‘flat foot being slow runner thought’. It was only the determination to play that kept me going, and soon I got the opportunity to play a match, as a main player, rather than a substitute. I made sure I utilize all that I had learnt to better my game, and by God’s grace, this determination of mine pushed me to give my best. As a result of all this hard-work and determination I got the opportunity to be a part of my state’s football team, thus representing the state in national level football matches. Determination and the ability to adapt, and change according to situation has made me as well as the Aditya Birla group achieve their goal, thus leaving a mark in history in our own small and big ways.