Part – A
Aditya Birla Group- Taking India to the world. These are the first words that come to my mind when I hear this name. From the company’s inception in the nineteenth century- with its founder Shiv Narayana Birla facilitating trade with China- to present day, ABG has truly lived up to this claim. With over a hundred thousand employees across the globe, ABG is ubiquitous.
On a personal level, I have a strong connection with the group. From purchasing my first ever shirt as an adolescent boy from Peter England, my new clothes before I started college from Forever 21 or my first suit from Louis Philippe before joining B-school, ABG has found its way into my life.
I will end with a real-life incident that has left me inspired. Five years ago, I was at the National Centre for Performing Arts, Nariman Point. There was a murmur in the crowd and to my surprise I noticed that casually walking among everyone was none other than Mr Kumar Mangalam Birla! You hear of people that have achieved greatness and are humble, but it is not until you witness it first-hand can you believe that humility and success go hand in hand. With a pleasant look on his face, I saw him acknowledge everyone who smiled at him- right from fellow playgoers to the service staff. I use that incident as a daily reminder to stay grounded and while an idea can change your life, this incident truly did change my life.
Part – B
“Accept the challenge so you can feel the exhilaration of victory”- George S Patton.
This is a motto that I live my life by. I have faced several challenges in my life- both small and big- but I will particularly focus on an incident that is closest to my heart.
In 2016, I was in my final semester of engineering college. I was standing in front of the notice board looking at the results of my penultimate exam. Seven semesters had passed, my grade point average had fallen again, and I was in my final few months of college. Disappointed with my poor performance but never one to lose hope I said I would give the last semester everything. By this time, I had also developed an interest in finance. I took two decisions that day. First, that I would take the eighth semester exam more seriously than any exam before and get a first-class. Second, that I will write and clear the CFA exam (L1), which was one day after my college exams. For three months, I burned the midnight oil. I studied on the train, I studied in the auto rickshaw and I even studied in the washroom. I gave it my all and one month later when I got both my results I stood there at a loss for words. I had done it. I was drained but had the exhilarating feeling of victory. I’ve never looked back since and now, will only move onward and upward.
#NMIMSMumbai #ABGLPWooMe
