Each one of us wants to be and stay connected to brands that connects back to the people and to the society. If someone asks me what is the first feeling that I get as soon as I hear the name Aditya Birla and instantly my answer would be” I feel proud”. When we purchase a product, we get connected to it but we become a brand loyal when we get attached to the brand, the company and not just the product.
I was a loyal customer of products from brand like Van Heusen, Allen Solly, Forever 21 from Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited. I was deriving emotional value from the different products only till I came to know about different CSR activities Aditya Birla engages in Odisha. I come from Odisha and the when I see the extensive involvement of the Aditya Birla group, it leaves me with a sense of happiness. Aditya Birla had pitched in, identified and focused on the prevailing issues of Odisha. It engages with the local communities while understanding the issue from ground root level. It has touched so many lives of the people of the state by-
- Providing study materials for the children, educating the primary school teachers, providing mid-day meals, providing computer knowledge and solar lamps to the remote village schools.
- Providing healthcare facilities, fighting polio, constructing community toilets, and eye surgery.
- Helping farmers by educating about the agricultural productivity using sustainable way as well as empowering Women.
- It has also focused on the village infrastructure development thereby benefitting so many people.
Not just in Odisha but the tales of Aditya Birla group can be heard worldwide for which they have received several accolades. Their presence can be felt across 5k villages, Skilled lakhs of people, running medical camps and hospitals, has immunized millions of kids and what not.
So now, when I hear of Aditya Birla, it gives me immense pleasure as I feel proud to be associated with a company which has been trying to make the world a better place, making it sustainable. It felt good when the company I have been dealing with has been so responsible towards the people, the villages, the children and the nation.
My Challenges made me #stronger
Sometimes what you desire is right in front of you, all you need is to gain some courage, accept it and work for it. I was already 27 years old, working at Cognizant technology solutions as a business developer and my manager always picking on me while family pressurizing to get married. My parents wanted me to get married before my father retire and were concerned about my sister who is just a year younger to me and was not working. I did not want to get married and I was dogging that discussion every then and now whenever my parents used to call. I wanted to tell them that I want to do MBA. I had some other plans for myself. I wanted to tell them that if they could give me some more time, I could do better. I didn’t want to settle. I wanted to do well so that I can be the son. I wanted to take care of them, but I was afraid to confront. How could I say that I want to leave the job, study again when my father was just going to retire in few months ahead and sister still pursuing her final year.
I was getting depressed day by day. Neither could I settle for what my parents had planned nor I had the courage to tell them my plans. I had stopped talking to my family & friends and had started misbehaving as well in order that to avoid discussions. I started hurting the people I love. I forgot that my parents are the most understanding parents one can ever have, I forgot the support I had received so many times earlier. I forgot that they have always raised me good without doubting my abilities. I was thinking about these all the time and this was visible in my work as well. My manager would have long hours of discussion and I was getting so restless and angry that I decided that there is no way I can work in that company anymore and I would resign soon. One day I gained courage and without discussing anything, without telling anyone I registered myself in a coaching institute and started preparing for CAT 18’. I started liking it, I was getting busier but started gaining confidence slowly and was feeling much better. My parents noticed the change, they kept asking me about the busy schedules but I would lie every time still fearful whether they would support me or not. After few months I thought about sharing my plans with my parents and convince them, still afraid of their reaction. Anyway, I gained courage and I told them and to my surprise they were very happy with my decision. They supported me. They told me had I told them earlier, nobody would have suffered. I started pushing myself even harder. Since then I have received immense support from my parents. They have been standing strongly besides me. I am glad that I shared my feelings with my family.