A Walk Down The Memory Lane - Shivajee Didwania,XIMB

Being raised in a family with an orthodox mindset has its own pros and cons. Since childhood, I have been surrounded by numerous rules and restrictions which made me feel like a bird who is free-spirited and wants to fly but, her wings are bound together making her incompetent to fly. Now revisiting these phases of my life, few of the memories that I recall was big in my life had a part of ABG involved in it.

During my high school days, my father, because of his busy schedule, could only devote time to us at night and that too only a few hours. Weeks would go by when our family would sit together and have a fun time. But once in a few weeks, all of us would go and visit Pantaloons where my father would fulfil all our demands until we feel content and happy. When I revisit these today, I feel these small visits has had a great impact on my life, helping me bond with my parents and keeping me connected to my roots. On the other hand, Pantaloons, Allen Solly and Van Heusen have been an integral part of my wardrobe. Best quality, durable products at affordable prices is what I can relate to when I think of them.

Ultratech cement is at the core of our existence. Our family has been the dealers for the Ultratech cement for over 15 years now and hence it is evident that our growth is entirely fuelled by this relationship that we have had with ABG. Even in our hotel business, all aluminium profiles that have been used are products of Hindalco.

Since childhood, I have faced many challenges but until I went to hostel for my engineering, I have always had my parents to guide and help me through the challenges. The real ones that I faced were in my engineering days when I did not have them around me to understand the situation and guide me. That was the time I felt vulnerable and insecure, partly because I always have had help in the past but also due to my own preconceived notions. While going through this journey, I inculcated a habit of analysing my entire day’s actions and then work on my short-comings. This kind of reflective behaviour has helped me ever since to improve and learn from others’ mistakes. 

Moving on, the next set of challenges that I faced were to cope up with the work pressure, manage my social life and at the same time prepare for my MBA entrance exams. At this time, I had already attempted once for the MBA entrance exams and knew my weaknesses. But, even after knowing them and working upon them for a year, I was not able to ace the entrances yet again. After reflecting on my actions for that year, I realised that one component that was missing in me was discipline. So I started working on that and finally was able to convert to, one of the premier institutes in India for MBA, XIM Bhubaneswar.

Hence the never-give-up attitude of mine combined with the reflective behaviour has helped me overcome the challenges that I have faced till now.