As one of the largest conglomerates in world, ABG is in the League of the Fortune 500. Affixed by an amazing force of over 1.2lac employees, belonging to over 40 different nationalities, ABG is the number one in aluminium rolling, viscose staple fibre, and carbon black. It is also among top four cement producers and the fourth largest producer of insulators, and among the best energy efficient fertiliser plants.
Not just earning revenues, but ABG’s concept of being Big on Smiles, has helped them transcend the conventional boundaries of business. They currently work in 5,000 villages, reaching out to 7.5 million people annually. The CSR initiatives at ABG provide the strategic direction and the thrust areas for our work ensuring performance management as well.
“To actively contribute to the social and economic development of the communities in which we operate. In doing so, build a better, sustainable way of life for the weaker sections of society and raise the country's human development index”
-Mrs. Rajashree Birla, Chairperson (Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development)
One retail stop that has been my one-stop solution for clothing needs has been Planet Fashion. Even during the time, I was looking for new formal clothing for the upcoming MBA journey, Planet Fashion took care of all my needs of new casual wears to business formals. This was all made possible by the family of Aditya Birla Fashion Limited. And not just the convenience of shopping, but the quality of brands associated with the Aditya Birla label, such as Louis Philippe, Allen Solly, Van Heusen, has given it the respect and admiration it deserves.
In 2013, while working for an NGO, I got an opportunity to organize an event for underprivileged children in Delhi NCR region. The objective of the event was to invite over 3000 children from different local NGOs and dedicate a day to them. We thought of achieving this by organizing art and craft workshops for the kids. It was an opportunity to help children discover and develop their artistic skills through activities that include painting, singing, and dancing, with the aim of bringing a smile on all their faces.
Months of planning was involved. The daily travelling, and weeks of hard work, led us to make the event a great success. The moment kids deboarded their buses and formed queues, the excitement level of all the volunteers was at peak. The daylong session of playing with them, spending time with them, and interacting was well spent. Succeeding in bringing a smile on everyone child’s face, and making that day special for them, transformed me as an individual. I had developed a whole new perspective for life and helping the once who deserve. It inspired me to be a philanthropic, compassionate, and an empathetic person. This also led me to be an active volunteer for many such causes in future. I came out to be the POC for my company’s CSR initiatives, as well as an active member for many NGOs dedicated towards children welfare.
Somewhere down the line, I do think that it was the inspiration and motivation from ABG’s CSR initiatives that led me drive those tasks to bring a positive change. So, when I was posed with the question “Why Aditya Birla Group is Big in my Life?”, the answer was very simple – They touched millions of lives worldwide including mine, subtly adding value, purpose, style, safety, assurance and health to it. It is big in my life because it made it better and richer filled with love and laughter.