Part A
The year was 2006 when I first heard about Aditya Birla. It was a television commercial that caught my attention- Ultra Tech Cement, an Aditya Birla Group subsidiary, promising to build our country. It has been thirteen years since and the group has been an inspiration, finding ways to touch lives, provide breathtaking experiences and indeed “taking India to the world.”
I have always cherished meeting my grandparents. My grandfather owns a cloth retail store. Whenever I visited, he would ask me to pick something from his shop. Almost every time, I ended up choosing a Peter England product. From blazers and trousers to ethnic wear and accessories, Peter England had it all. Over the years, Peter England wasn’t just a brand that my wardrobe got accustomed to, it became a medium to express love. Two years back, I received my first salary and decided to send a gift to my grandfather. The choice was obvious. I got us matching suits from Peter England. Grandmother tells me that he treats the suit as one of his most prized possessions.
It’s not just the fashion industry that Aditya Birla caters to, their presence can be felt in almost every facet of our lives. I use Freshwrapp to pack food items when I leave for treks. I have been a loyal Vodafone-Idea user for the last 5 years. My previous employer got us insured through Sun Life Insurance. The list goes on and on.
The group has done our country proud and made its way in the Fortune 500 league of companies. Through its CSR initiatives, the group is helping to weed out problems like addiction, illiteracy, and dowry. In conclusion, Aditya Birla Group has been monumental in the country’s journey so far and will continue leading India to a better tomorrow.
Part B
As a child, I was always curious. I pursued Science since it answered questions about how the world works. The curiosity, combined with an affinity for Mathematics and Chemistry drew me to Chemical Engineering. I joined a prestigious engineering college, aiming for the sky. However, by the end of the first two years, I lost my way. I grew disinterested in the subjects, the curiosity to know waned and surviving college seemed like a gargantuan task. I felt I did not choose the right path and wanted to drop out.
During my third year, I opted to take Management electives. I focused on extracurriculars, organizing events, workshops and participating in college fests. I started targeting and preparing for companies that offer non-technical roles. It was tough, coming to terms with the fact that I was not made for something I believed I would do an amazing job at. It was tough, hanging on, knowing that chances of succeeding are rare. In the end, I got two job offers in a non-chemical domain. My experiences taught me that pressing on, even during the toughest of times, goes a long way in building your character and fetches results if you are persistent enough to keep trying.