Aditya Birla Group’s Planet Fashion: Big in my Life | Barry C K #IIMTrichy

The Aditya Birla Group is one of the largest private sector conglomerates in India. Founded in 1857 by Seth Shiv Narayan Birla, it has interests in a wide array of fields- from textiles to mobile telephony, cement, and even financial services. The brand has made a big impact in India and overseas.                For a number of reasons, I have always held the opinion that clothes make a man (or woman). I have lived most of my life in Shillong, where my options of retail fashion are limited. Although I have the alternative of buying online, I prefer the brick and mortar stores, as it allows me to properly gauge the quality of the attire before making a purchase. To meet my wardrobe needs, I have always looked to Planet Fashion ever since it opened its Shillong outlet in 2010.                Planet Fashion, housing renowned fashion brands like Allen Solly, Louis Phillipe and Van Heusen to name a few, caters to my fashion requirements with exquisite offerings to complement my style and personality. Whether I need to get dressed up for a formal occasion or I’m looking for something comfortable to wear for a day out, it’s a certainty that I will find what I am looking for at a Planet Fashion store. From suits, shirts, shoes to denim and accessories, I can get a handpicked collection of the best clothing from the best brands. The other factor that sets Planet Fashion apart from the rest of the competition is the quality of the service extended to me, whether it be tailored alterations, exchanges or returns.                Fashion is fun and inspiring. It builds confidence and allows people to express themselves and make a statement. Planet Fashion has succeeded in helping me realize this, and this is why it is big in my life.

Overcoming my challenge to get here

               On a November evening in 2018, I had met with an accident. I was travelling with a friend on his motorcycle, and we encountered a pothole in the street - there was little time to maneuver or navigate our way around it, so the vehicle skidded and we were thrown off it. As a result of this I had wounded my right leg and ankle, ending up with multiple abrasions and a sprained foot. What made this ordeal more stressful for me was the fact that my CAT exam was in less than three weeks. I had spent the better part of 2018 focused on my CAT preparations, so I clung on to the hope that my injuries would heal by the time the exam came around. This hope turned to desperation when the doctor told me that I would need at least two months to fully recover as the abrasions on my ankle were quite severe and could get infected if not properly treated.                I had to visit the hospital daily to have my wounds cleaned and dressed. It was a painful experience and to cope with this, I was prescribed painkillers, which made it hard for me to concentrate on my last phase preparation for CAT. But I was determined to get through, for all the effort that I put in and I was not going to let this interfere in my goal. I took the exam, although I needed crutches to get to the exam center and I sat through the pain for three hours. Eventually, I cleared the exam and also the interviews and I made it to IIM Trichy.                I look at the scars on my ankle now, reflecting back on this incident and it has taught me that perseverance and determination can help me overcome any challenge and clear any obstacle in my path.