Life is all about the inevitable ups and downs. The roller coaster ride lifts up spirits, teaches numerous lessons along the way and gives an opportunity to recognize the impermanence of life. Good things and bad things happen to everyone, but the successful ones are who manage with ease and lead a happy life. In every such individual’s journey, there is a thing that helps them navigate smoothly and overcome all fears and obstacles. This role, in my life, has been played by Aditya Birla Group and its brands - A group that resonates with every Indian, delivering products and services impacting numerous lives, with a sole intention to make a difference to the society and the world at large.
I had always been a silent student at School and as I began preparing to face my first interview in KVPY at the age of 16, I remember the nervous child in me wondering if I could ever face questions and open up. My mother bought me my first Peter England formal dress set, donning it on the day of the interview boosted my confidence, made me realize my potential, gave me hope for change and helped me overcome the fear of speaking up. I have always been attached to emotions and believe that the deeper you think and relate to them, the farther you begin to understand perspectives of life. I like to spend time looking back at numerous occasions of the past gathering a larger picture from every small fragment of memory. The faces in photographs speak a thousand words and the dresses we wore in them bring back a couple thousand more along. Farewells at various points of time in school and college have given me chances to introspect as to how much people and relationships matter and a thought that is etched permanently is that of the shopping together with my friends at the nearest Pantaloons store. The gentlemanly attitude when we all got dressed up and pose for photographs made age seem as merely a number. The conversations were lit up with endless light-hearted arguments if Van Heusen was cooler than Louis Philippe, with everyone trying to prove the brand they were wearing is of the highest value. I wish we had all known then that there was one group behind all of this and it was the sole reason behind the spark added to our lives through these talking points.
I grew up as a lazy kid, ignorant of the world around, choosing an easy way of life and focussing only on studies. I began to realise something was amiss and started asking myself questions whether I was doing enough and making the most of my life. This self-retrospection helped me discover ways to change my lifestyle and follow my heart. I began to go to travel around India with my friends, go on all-day treks in the Western Ghats and eventually, attempt a Himalayan winter trek. I would always engage in organising outings, events and discussions on social issues with people around. There are always plenty of choices to make and deciding on the apt one was an adventure by itself. This journey also made me a more socially active person that changed me from a kid in the corner of a room to a person who can lead and show the path ahead for others. I focused on short term learning out of every experience and the satisfaction altered into self-confidence. If I can write this article now, it must be credited to all those moments in life that have helped me rise beyond my capabilities, helping me capture opportunities and transform myself to being my own master. I’d like to end this quoting these lines from “Hall of fame” by “The Script”:
“…You can be a master
Don't wait for luck
Dedicate yourself and you can find yourself
Standing in the hall of fame
And the world's gonna know your name…”