Evolving from a jute mill to a world class conglomerate, the Aditya Birla Group vision of “Taking India to the world” stands proven with Idea - connecting a billion people to Hindalco – the world’s largest aluminium producer.
From ambassador, which was a joint venture to Hindustan times and the Birla house – which formed the Congress’ independence movement meeting room, the group’s journey lies embedded in the Indian history. With Indo Gulf – India’s first gas-based fertilizer plant to Louis Phillipe, Peter England, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, Pantaloons, Ultra-tech cement, Planet Fashion, Birla Sunlife insurance, the plethora of ventures revels the diversification brought by the group which has now established itself as a Fortune 500 group. Having been ranked in the top 5 by Aon Hewitt and Fortune Magazine, the group does cut a reputation for India. The ambitions of the group prove to be “outstanding” with its revenue of 44 billion US dollars and expansion to 42 nationalities across 34 countries. Referring themselves as dynamic, vibrant, youthful, the group’s progress over the years depicts “continuity and change”. Adding to the feathers, the group is the 3rd largest NBFC in India. Even more compelling are facts like Vodafone Idea established itself as the 2
nd largest telecom operator in the world, every 2
nd garment sold is from the Aditya Birla group, the tire in every 2
nd car having Birla Carbon and every 3
rd aluminium can being made from Novelis Aluminium.
What’s more important is that in their pursuit of global business, the group hasn’t let down its moral beliefs and has been working in 3000 villages to uplift living standards by improving health-care and education. With its sustainable development and waste minimisation idea, the group truly believes in giving back to society.
A view of my wardrobe with a number of ABG retail brands, a cell phone with an Idea sim, a number of aluminium based items in daily use and medical college construction at Symbiosis campus with Ultra tech cement bags clearly visible makes me believe how deep the group has infiltrated into my life. For someone to say he hasn’t experienced the ABG product in their life, one has to be a nomad living far away from civilization. With all this being said, the group’s tagline – “Big in your life” fulfils the meaning to its core and does win our trust. India does look forward to the many more stories the group will add to the “desi” context thereby taking “India to the World”.
Having left home for the first time, it came as a shock to me when I was exposed to the stigma of ragging prevalent in the hostels during graduation. An example of this was strictly following a dress code, not imposed by the authorities, but by some seniors. Other such examples were formally greeting them in the manner of their liking and completing their assignments. This led me to frustration and a dislike for the college environment. Ragging was a culture being followed on the pretext that it helps juniors fraternize with the seniors.
Having realized that not every situation has an escape route and others around me were in the same tussle, I figured that the best way to tackle such incidents would be by staying calm and maintaining focus on the positivity in the environment. I even encouraged my peers to break the norm when our time came to which most people did abide. The lessons learnt from this experience was to take a stand for what I believe in and that every adverse situation shall pass if you face it with a cool temperament. While they say a conducive environment is essential for overall growth, the brand SIBM Pune does prove to be a pleasant abode with no such grey corners in its hive.