What was India a century ago? Nothing but an opportunity waiting to be taken, a golden egg waiting to be hatched. The country of dreams that we see today didn’t look like it does today. World’s third largest railway system, world’s second largest road and highway infrastructure system, industries thriving with opportunities, and cities exploding with development – none of what we see today was there 100 years ago. This development was only possible by consistent committed effort by the public as well as the private players of the country. One of these private players is the Aditya Birla group. The organization’s contribution to the development of the nation has been across many dimensions including textiles, carbon, aluminum, mining, cement, telecom, synthetic, fibers and many more. The contribution of the organization has been such that it is unlikely that it has not contributed in our life in one way or the other. Majorly, the drivers of all the development of this economy have been highly contributed by the Aditya Birla group in some way or the other. Brands like Pantaloons, Van Heusen, Louis Phillip, Peter England, and Forever 21 represent India’s contribution to the fashion industry worldwide. Vodafone Idea’s cellular services are one of India’s major cellular service providers. Ultratech Cements and Aditya Birla Ultratech, have been the foundations of India’s infrastructure development spanning from villages to the major cities. Novelis Inc., the world’s largest recycler of aluminum has also helped in development of transportation, packaging, construction, industrial and consumer electronics industries.
I was visiting my aunt when I first encountered them. It was the last 30 minutes of the ride from Delhi to Dehradun. There they were. Lush green and full of life – The Himalayas. I was only a 12-year-old boy. I fell in love with the mountains, and mountaineering become one of my passions. So much so that on top of my bucket list lies the summit of Mount Everest – an ambition that will require vast experience, patience, skill, sheer hard work, and a never say die attitude.
It has been 2 years since I have been serious about meeting this ambition and my way has not been easy. The challenges are many. But as I have come to learn, the only way to overcome them, is to face them. Mountaineering is a skill that can be learnt only through practice. You can’t climb a snow-clad mountain until you have climbed a thousand shorter ones. You need to start with foothills. You need to learn to respect the mountains. The rules of the game are very different up there. A slight slip to the left and you are down a few hundred feet, never to come back up. Take a wrong turn, and you are lost in jungles frequented by animals that see you only as walking meat. Encounter a storm, and only god can keep you safe.
I started on my journey with Kheer Ganga, a magical trek in the Parvati Valley, at a mere 4000 meters above sea level. Fell and hurt my knees on my way downhill. Went back 2 months later to climb the breath-taking meadows of Triund, overlooking the Dhauladar range. Went back again 3 months later to climb to the magical village of Rasol where I came across a bear (Learnt to never hike through forests after dark!). Went back again 6 months later to climb to see snow for the first time ever. And now waiting for a brief window of vacation to climb a little further up.
My learning? You can’t achieve anything in life without having the will to work hard for it. I have not done even 5% of my share yet. But I am willing to go for 200% more.
#IIMRaipur #ABGLPWooMe