It was during the early 2000s, during one of the rainy days of July, we had our School Foundation Day. The teachers had asked us to get homecooked treats for a small get together within class, where all the kids were supposed to learn the art of sharing. However, for the students, it was more of an exhibition of what our mothers could cook best! After a lot of pondering and careful consideration with my mother regarding the dish to be made, we narrowed in on the option of homemade “BURGERS”. Little did my young mind understand that the efforts that were being put into the task were carefully thought through right from the start. The next morning, when I woke up 20 hot burgers were sitting ready on the dining table, and my mother had carefully wrapped the buns and patty with shiny silver sheets, turning them into mysterious shiny balls. At school, the rains had restricted our play time which made us sulk, however the burgers were still fresh and hot, thanks to the beautiful wrapping around it, marking the day a success!
Engineering is incomplete, if we are unaware about the practical applications it entails. Having done my engineering in Electrical Engineering, the concepts of power plant always fascinated me. My University was in Burla, Odisha which was near the Mahanadi River. During our pre-final year, when we were supposed to apply the theoretical concepts through case studies, on one such event our entire batch was taken to the captive power plant situated in Hirakud, to understand the intricacies of the power system. This opportunity was an integral part of my graduation as that helped me to visualize the concepts that were explained to us.
After my graduation, when I had to transit from campus to corporate lifestyle, I was apprehensive as to how I should present myself. It was a herculean task, when I had to leave the comfort of home sweet home in the East and start my career in the financial capital. With the salary of a trainee, revamping my wardrobe from a college going kid to a presentable professional seemed like an insurmountable task. However, thanks to my colleagues, I was introduced to a store which had a wide range of apparels and shoes. They not only had a collection suitable for all ages and occasions but also within the desired range which my budget could permit!
The little things in life, have the most lasting impression. It can be as trivial as the food we used to take in our lunch boxes, where the aluminium foil of “Freshwrapp” with the sleek cutter edge box, saved the day for my family. It could be as important as the case study done in the captive power plant of Hindalco, at Hirakud which helped me as a student realise the theoretical concepts. It could be as integral as the casuals and formal wear we get from the stores like “Pantaloons”, “People”, “Louis Philippe”, “Van Heusen” etc.
Hence, Every step of the way, Aditya Birla Group has played a significant role in my journey so far!
At home, being the younger of two siblings, I am the observant, quiet and sensitive element in the family dynamics. As a result, I assumed the role of a confidante and a listening ear in my social circle as well. As an individual, I am perceptive to details, and it helps me stay organized. Academics has always been of importance to me. Throughout my education; I have always aimed at giving my best to the task at hand, with sincerity and hard work. This has helped me in delivering results even at my workplace. At times I am unable to gauge my own potential, which makes me doubt whether my efforts will result in fruition. Having stayed away from home for the past 7 years now has helped me adapt to changing circumstances and made me more patient.
I can recall two situations at two different points in my life which has made me the person I am today. When I was five years old, our family had met with a terrifying car accident. I was pleased about the attention I got at home initially, however as I grew up the curious gazes from the new acquaintances and the concerned questions by onlookers made me feel ill at ease. But, at heart, it was the prized Harry Potter scar of my own which made me dream of a letter from Hogwarts someday. Despite the bouts of low self-esteem issues experienced by me at school, I decided on focusing my attention on getting better at academics. Throughout higher secondary, I participated in various Olympiads and exhibitions which made me interested in the field of science. Having scored pretty well in both class 10th and 12th boards, boosted my confidence and enhanced my analytical thinking grey cells, paved way for my future studies in the field of engineering.
During my past work experience, through constant interactions with clients across various industries has helped me develop decision making skills. I was given the opportunity to spearhead a proof of concept of a process, which involved designing solutions based on the requirement given by the clients. Earlier I used to depend on getting validation from my senior colleagues as I used to feel their experience always trumped over my amateur judgement. However, this opportunity helped me leave a mark on the entire team, and despite my shorter span of experience, my senior colleagues valued my inputs and considered my suggestions. My peers and I have a symbiotic relationship, making it a conducive environment to thrive in. I believe in the 3 Cs of teamwork - Communication, Clarification and Corroboration, which makes me a good team player as well.
Perseverance and determination have been my innate and inherent virtues that have been instrumental in each decision I have taken in my life, thus, shaping me into the individual I am today.