Part A
One of India’s most diverse and growing conglomerate, A multinational company which has truly lived up to its advertising campaign “
Taking India to the World” and has imprinted not only the lives of the Indians but the people world over by its various products and services and more importantly its commitment to excellence. Aditya Birla Group (ABG) sets an example for different brands and leaders.
Started in 1857, (the same year as that of the true national hero “Mangal Pandey”) is present in 34 countries with over 47 brands under its leadership. Banking, Textiles, Quality Education, Telecommunication, Construction, etc. ABG’s presence can be found across every domain.
Ten years early, in July 2019, I started my engineering and a mobile phone became a necessity mainly for parents to reach me in case of any delays due to a 1
1/
2-hour train travel one side. But that is just one-part, other use of the mobile phone is to talk and reach out to friends. Around the same time on my television set, I could see Abhishek Bhachchan claiming, “What an Idea Sirjee”. Idea was my first simcard that offered 0.25 paise call for a billing and 1 ps per second was recently introduced. For a college student, with fixed pocket money, Idea was the then cheapest option with very good network coverage. It’s been 10 years, that my relationship with the brand still holds strong.
Part B
How I overcame challenges in my life?
Since 2014, I was following a skydiving group and was checking periodically if they are conducting any solo skydiving camps in India. Finally, in June 2016 they setup a camp near Nagarjuna Sagar Dam near Hyderabad. I made my plans but due to office workload I could get less than required leaves. I had planned my trip in such a way that I reach Hyderabad airport around 11 pm of a Thursday, ride throughout the night and reach the camp early morning on a Friday. Attend the training on Friday and Saturday, finish the jump on Sunday and reach back by Monday morning directly to office. But, during the late-night bike ride, I met with an accident due to a pothole on the highway. I fell on the left side which bruised me from head to toe plus my bike was severely damaged which limited the max speed to 20kmph. Somehow after riding slowly for another 5 hours I reached the camp where I received the training and performed poor due to a bruised shoulder. The instructor wanted me to not jump, I tried convincing him he refused. I was wearing a batman t-shirt, pointed to it I said, “The accident couldn’t stop me from reaching here, a bruised shoulder cannot stop me from skydiving”. The instructor was an ex-Airforce pilot, appreciating my courage he said go ahead if you are ok. Finally, a little sleep deprived, bruised, I skydived solo, and rest is history.