The Aditya Birla Group (ABG), with a turnover in excess of USD 44 billion, is the third largest Indian conglomerate with a presence in several industry sectors, boasting several iconic brands and operating out of 35 countries. Its products and brands are proven market leaders and these have been an intrinsic part of my life over the years.
I remember my first cell phone was an Idea connection which helped open up a whole new world for me and allowed me to stay in touch at all points in time. Recently when I was in Delhi and our family had to go shopping for clothes, Pantaloon was our first choice as we could choose from a wide range of styles and there was something for each member of the family. Since I was coming to a business school I picked up a few formal Van Heusen and Louis Philippe shirts and some Peter England and Allen Solly trousers, though I recall that my elder brother preferred to go to Planet Fashion to buy a formal suit.
Earlier on in the year, my father was constructing an additional shed in our house and I noticed that it was Ultratech cement that he trusted for quality and durability. I also got to know that our cars were insured with Birla Sunlife as their coverage policy was comprehensive and the service swift and reliable. Just before I was coming to IIFT Kolkata for my MBA, I needed to have a formal suit and my mother suggested that we should buy the best quality suiting material and get it stitched to my size, and she bought me Grasim fabric which I got stitched subsequently.
ABG is big for me as there are so many touch points for their brands in my family’s life. All these brand interactions have been very satisfying because their products are extremely relevant and provide a significant quality advantage over other options.
When we were in school, we were always told about the importance of the Class 12 board exams and how it was imperative to do well in these to get admission into a good college. While there was no additional pressure from the family, I was myself very determined to put in my best and achieve a good result in my board exams. My parents as well as my elder brother had all been excellent students and I was keen to follow in their footsteps and do well in life. Like every other student, I spent over 8 months preparing for the boards.
However, during this very challenging phase of my life, I faced a great personal tragedy. A month before my class 12 boards, my grandfather sadly passed away. Coming from a closely-knit family, this impacted me a lot - to the point where I was unable to concentrate on studies and the upcoming practical exams. However, with the help of my family and friends’ constant support and a bit of self-confidence I was able to gather my thoughts and get back to the grind. I also decided to stay at my aunt’s place for a week, where the environment was a bit better and I could focus on preparations.
Despite the personal loss, I was able to do well in my exams. My grandfather always spoke about the importance of education and how it was knowledge that separated man from beast. By scoring well in my boards, not only did I achieve what I had set out to do, but the greater happiness was that I was able to make him proud.