It was 10:15 at night, on the 30
th of June 2019, as I rushed through the streets of Raipur, phone in hand, trying to reach City Centre Mall. I had just heard the news that, the very next morning, we had to attend a lecture from an eminent industry stalwart at IIM Raipur. It was someone I had long admired and was really looking forward to hear. However, I had just learnt about the impecable dress code. The problem: We didn’t have the jet black suit that was part of the attire.
I, along with some others, had called up Pantaloons Fashion and Retail, City Centre Mall, Raipur, who not only confirmed that they had the required inventory, but also agreed to keep the store open for us till 11pm. As we rushed through the mall, we noticed a few grumpy mall security guards, but the Pantaloons store owner was waiting for us with a smiling face. In all of the one hour that we took to buy the clothes, I marveled at the way the store executives greeted us and patiently explained to us about Peter England, Van Heusen, Louis Philippe, Ralph Lauren and numerous other brands, despite us snatching their sleep away.
That is what defines the distinctive competence that I have encountered from most of Aditya Birla group subsidiaries. In addition to their inventory, their attention to customer satisfaction. It was an extremely enriching experience to encounter the real-life applications of my management classes at Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. (formerly Pantaloons Fashion and Retail and Madura Fashion & Lifestyle before May 2015.) And why only the fashion sector? When I was working in remote locations and had telephone connectivity issues, my request to the world’s 2
nd largest in telecom, Vodafone Idea Limited, has had unmatched customer value. The operators gave me their word that the issue would be resolved within 7 working days and they made good on their promise within 4 days.
Spanning 34 countries and across 8 sectors, the Aditya Birla Group reaches into the lives of their customers like no others. Because of their innovative products and commitment to quality, it comes as no surprise that a company like UltraTech Cement Limited is the largest manufacturer of cement in India and ranks among the world’s leading cement makers. Or that Birla Carbon is the largest manufacturer of carbon black worldwide. Or Hindalco Industries and Novelis being the world’s largest producer of rolled aluminum sheets.
The work done by Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development is exemplary. The mission statement provided by Mrs. Rajashree Birla, Chairperson of ABG is something that my ideas resonate with. I am humbled by the help I can provide to others and by the traits that I have cultivated in myself from the 7th school standard to my college years, teaching underprivileged children at Don Bosco School, visiting and actively helping out in old age homes and orphanages. The support I provided them is a pillar for my own confidence today.
With 36 companies under it’s umbrella, the Aditya Birla Group, one of the larger conglomerates, is like an extended joint family! My childhood memories are synonymous with us being gathered around the television watching the UltraTech Cement brand tagline and slogan “The Engineer’s Choice: Kyunki iss cement me jaan hai!.”
The work started by Seth Shiv Narayan Birla in 1857, continues to flourish and grow older along with us millennials. And will do so, in the years to come.
Overcoming Life's Challenges
In July of 2016, I met with a major accident which shattered my humerus, pelvis and cranial bone. Upon regaining consciousness, I found myself confined to bed with no feeling in my arm and legs. Overnight I went from hale and hearty to being unable to turn on my bed without racking pains to myself. When the doctors suggested that I should prepare myself for a possibility of never again regaining the use of my dominant hand, I could not believe my ears.
Not accepting that life could take such a turn, I began to question every goal in life. However, being bed ridden for 6 months at a stretch, helped. I began to answer my self doubts, will myself to live every minute and prioritize my goals. Piece by piece, I began to stitch my life back together. My efforts were rewarded when after 3 months I could twitch my fingers and 6 months later, I took my first step. It changed my definition of 'problems'. I learnt that success depends not on the determination of one but an entire team. My life today is indebted to my family, doctors and friends whose support carried me and left me with a single-minded resolve to repay their faith.
In light of the incident discussed above, I feel a huge attribute that I acquired is perseverance against all odds. Spending hours and weeks in physiotherapy, trying to take one step, taught me a simple lesson which I can apply to all my future endeavors. As long as I and my team have the right goals and the determination to succeed, I can stand and face all challenges. Professionally and personally.
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