Aditya Birla Group : Making the 'firsts' worth it! | Nikita Wahie, IIFT

The dream that Seth Shiv Narayan Birla saw, 162 years ago has shaped the dreams of all of us in ways seen and unseen. Being one of the biggest conglomerates in the country, Aditya Birla Group is impacting India and 35 other countries in sectors ranging from chemicals to fashion retail, from fertilisers to financial services and from metals to IT. It would be undisputed to state that Aditya Birla Group has helped the country and its people grow through the tough times and has gained unparalleled respect, loyalty, and trust from consumers across the country. Providing top quality products and services combined with the initiatives of sustainability and education for the underprivileged sections of the society brings out the responsible and informed manner of operation that the firm has always been known for. 

My personal encounter with Aditya Birla Group was a very first step towards a significantly long and successful journey. My father has a transport business and I have always heard of Birla carbon and how it has been a trusted product for my father's business. The tyres that are expected to carry tons of weight for long long distances cannot be left compromised on a low quality product and I have always heard my father saying Birla Carbon is the one and only choice for reliable operation of the business. He always told us, the customer puts his trust on our vehicles and we put our trust on Birla Carbon. I think his words went on to influence all of our other choices, be it taking a VodafoneIdea sim card (then Idea) for the first ever mobile handset or throwing tantrums every year for that perfect birthday dress from Pantaloons. The customer experience and product satisfaction were always over the top. Later on, when we were planning to move into a bigger living space, we sure we made all the calculated decisions as to what went into building it. This new house was very near to us and we made sure that nothing which is not at par with the quality and genuineness goes in. We weren't left with any choice but Ultratech Cement. The brand that speaks volumes of its strength and durability. 

Having said that, I would be understating the impact of Aditya Birla Group in my life if I forget to mention the self confidence that they have imparted upon me. During my first ever corporate experience while I was interning with a firm and had to wear formal clothes for my first day. My father took me to the nearest Van Heusen store and proudly said we together are embarking on a new journey, a journey of growth, a journey of self improvement and a journey of value. I, a nervous and shy kid went on to be the best performing intern from my campus that year. I became more confident of myself, took up roles that required dedication and excelled that them. I still feel like its yesterday and today, I sit here wearing another pair of formals from Van Heusen, at The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, having grown beyond my insecurities and fears and penning down how Aditya Birla Group has made all my 'firsts' so BIG.