Part- A
ABG undoubtedly touches millions of lives in the world. However the ABG group will forever hold a
special place in my life. Almost like out of a movie, the year I was born happened to be the same
year my father sat for an interview with the then ABG group and aced it. That year marked the start
of two whole new episodes, one being ME and the other being my father’s innings at ABG group.
Both of which, are still going strong. My father being a devoted and loyal member of the ABG group
from the past 22 years makes the group an integral part of my life.
Growing up for me was partly figuring out on why my father was entitled to an employee discount
each time we went shopping to a retail store such as Louis Phillipe or Allen Solly or Van Heusen, and
partly wondering what He really does at office that ensures our up keeping as a family and well
keeps him pumped up all day and all night long. Another important part of growing up was attending
the annual parties hosted by ABG group for its employees. These parties were the place where I felt
really really proud of my father. Seeing him getting applauded and rewarded in front of hundreds of
people filled me with immense pride and motivation, motivation to be like him.
With my father’s steady growth in the organization, we as a family got to stay all around India. I
came to recognize ABG group’s vastness as a kid only when I saw that no matter where we went as a
family we always had bigger family awaiting us. Wherever we shifted to we were always greeted
with a few days of stay at the IDEA guest house until my father sorted out things for us. Moving out,
though always is a difficult task, but the bigger family that awaited us always made sure that we felt
right at home. So much so, that I at one point remember telling my father how much I love his job
only because it means we get to travel and live in new cities and I get to make new friends.
ABG group has played a role so integral to my life that no words can ever do it justices. The loyalty
that the group demands and generates is a thing to reckon for the whole world.
Part- B
Even though one’s ambitions are something that continue to evolve overtime as one progresses in
life, the challenges that one faces trying to achieve those ambitions is something that cannot be
overlooked. In my short lifetime of 22 years so far I have faced a number of challenges trying to
achieve my ever evolving ambitions. As a kid, I faced the challenge of leaving all my friends behind
each time I had to move to a new city due to my father’s posting every 2-3 years. Moving to a new
city came with the challenge of leaving all the people and things behind and starting up all over
again. Each time we shifted my only ambition was to be able to get back up stronger and making
sure that my father does not find out about me getting upset over lost friends and past memories.
The toughest of the movement was to Bangalore, a beautiful city, however with a radically different
culture when compared to the rest of my life in areas around North of India. The biggest hurdle
being the language barrier and the bias as created against North Indians in the South.
I eventually ended up learning the local language Kannada till the extent it was required to survive in
the city without infuriating the locals. I made bonds stronger than I ever had in my 4 years in
Bangalore.
Another great challenge I faced as a student was overcoming the poor grades I scored in the Pre-
board examinations in the 12th standard. Having scored poorly in the pre-boards I was completely
written off by the teachers who at one point used to be really supportive of me. My parents were
eventually called to the school by the teachers and informed that there is no chance on Earth that
their child would pass the examinations let alone score well. I was then challenged by my teachers in
front of my parents to merely pass in all the subjects. Now 4 years down the line I’ve come to realise
that how that challenge actually helped me to realise my own hidden potential. It is owing to that
challenge that I topped my school in the subject of Mathematics (taught by the teacher who
challenged me) and secured above 90% overall.
I have come to realise that facing and overcoming the challenges one faces in life is how one strives
to grow continuously and hone ones ambitions.