It won’t be an overstatement if I say that Aditya Birla Group has been with me throughout my life. Being present in 35 countries, in sectors like chemicals, textiles, banking, carbon black, cement, fashion and financial services. With over 1,20,000 employees worldwide and a huge number of brands, I am sure that the story is the same for millions of people. From going out to buy a dress for my 14
th birthday from Forever21, to buying my first suit before joining IIFT, ABG has always been my best friend. Talking about best friends, mine is Soham, and I call him my Ultra Tech Cement because that’s how strong our friendship is. We are huge fans of “f.r.i.e.n.d.s.” and looking at Rachel Greene working at Ralph Lauren got me wishing to work there too. I used to watch it on my phone, with amazing internet speed offered by Vodafone-Idea. Vodafone also happens to be the only service provider I have been using all my life. The fashion and retail business interests me a lot and ABG’s brands like American Eagle, Allen Solly, Pantaloons, Planet Fashion, etc. are my dream brands. There are so many memories, from mom wrapping up breakfast for me in tiffin with Freshwrapp foil, to buying my dad a shirt from Peter England with my first earning from giving home tuition. My life has been beautiful, with all these sweet little details and Aditya Birla Group, making me happy. I feel blessed for all these memories; they make me complete.
I wasn’t always such a chirpy, confident person though. I was afraid of crowds when I was younger. The thought of standing in front of a big audience gave me nightmares. I used to be this shy little girl, standing behind her mother’s shawl, looking at the world with one eye. I loved to sing, but only inside my room, my bathroom and the safety of my house. My parents loved my songs, they kept on encouraging me and complimenting me and that was enough for me. I encountered my fear for the first time when I was in 2
ndstandard and my teacher signed me up for a singing competition. At first, I didn’t know what to do or how to react. I wanted to run back home and hide behind my mother but instead I was pushed to the stage. Everything went blank and I couldn’t perform. I went back home broken hearted and told my parents everything. My mother hugged me and told me that it was okay. I let it go but I didn’t know the plans my parents had for me. It all started with them asking me to sing for them, in my safe space. The audience grew little by little, and I was then singing in front of my uncles, aunts and cousins. I sang at birthday parties of the people I knew and loved and taking one step at a time, I had performed in several gatherings without even realizing that it was actually a crowd. After some time I took part in a competition again, and I was very nervous but I just closed my eyes and sang my heart out. I came 2
nd in that competition that day. My heart was overflowing with happiness. This is how it all started. Today, I stand here as a confident person, making friends, taking part in all competitions, not afraid to perform. This has been possible because of my parents and close ones. I am thankful to have overcome my fear.