Growing up in an Indian household with an academically brighter sibling is certainly not easy. Right from our school days (and even till date), my sister had consistently managed to secure higher grades than me. My childhood was not too bland with nothing to flaunt either, however, sports and extra-curricular achievements meant little or nothing compared to the “glamorous” good grades.
Throughout this phase of my life, one person who encouraged my interests and applauded me even for the minutest of achievements was my Grandpa. He ensured I didn’t think low of myself at any point in time and gave me a sense of assurance and pride that I too am no less. I loved visiting his home and spending time soaking myself in all his kind affirming words.
Gradually, we grew up, completed schooling and the visits became less frequent. On one such visit, Grandpa suddenly looked weaker than before, but the smile on his face bright as ever. He came out and gave some pocket money to each of his grandchildren. When my turn came he said, “Wait, I have something for you”, went into his room and came out with a beautiful falu-red shaded shirt. He put the money in my hands and said “the moment I came across this shirt, you came to my mind and I thought you should have it, so I bought it for you”. He gave me the shirt and smirkingly whispered “also, among all my grandchildren, only you can pull this off.” The shirt soon grew to be one of my favourites and I flaunted it on several important occasions.
Years passed and I was into my final year of graduation. By now the visits had become an annual occasion, and one fateful day I received a call from my home informing me that Grandpa had suffered a brain stroke and was admitted in the hospital. I rushed home as soon as I was done with my exams and visited Grandpa. He couldn’t talk, and he couldn’t remember much and hardly recognised people. As I went in to see him, my mother told him “look who has come to visit you”, and as he turned towards me, the same bright smile emerged from his lips. His health was now improving rapidly and the doctor allowed us to take him home.
I was excited to get a homecoming present for Grandpa, something of significance. I decided to get the exact replica of the shirt he had gifted me. I spent hours scouting for a similar piece and narrowed down to a Van Heusen shirt. I came home excited to show Grandpa, but to my utter horror, Grandpa had just passed. I was completely heartbroken and tears trickled down my cheeks onto the shirt. During the funeral, I insisted Grandpa had my shirt with him. All but me were in whites for the funeral….I was the only one wearing a falu-red shirt…oh wait, was it only me? Grandpa and I, only the two of us were in falu-red shirts that day. That is the bond we share.
This incident proved to be one of the most impactful ones in my life. Now that I think of it, both the shirts in the story were of Aditya Birla’s Van Heusen. I would like to thank the Aditya Birla Group for providing me with such powerful memories. This is the bond that has shaped me and Van Heusen has etched this memory permanently in my heart.
Part B: Life is a Challenge - Meet it
I have always been a huge fan of the statement, “Life is a challenge – meet it”. Growing up in Indian society, we always look at life in phases. The first phase is the schooling phase which ends with the 10
th board exams. At that point in time, that becomes the most important, “life-changing”. Then comes decision making, science, commerce, arts or something else. Shortly after this 12
th boards comes right at you, and that becomes the “actual life-changing” part according to society. Once you’re done with that successfully, college becomes the “true life-changing” part and this is never-ending.
Every challenge is followed by another challenge and this is how we grow. Just as necessity is the mother of invention, adversity is the father of growth. Personally in my life, starting off as a below-average student in my Kindergarten years, to coming class second in my 3
rd standard, only to shift schools for the next year was a challenge in itself. Moreover, it was a boarding school and being away from parents at such a tender age was not at all a piece of cake.
Overcoming that challenge, adjusting to the schedule and environment of the new place and then making a come-back in my studies and also managing other co-curricular activities was a hard grind. Finally, getting decent grades in 10
th boards to getting top grades in 12
th boards, is a story of its own.
Then finally grinding through college, completing graduation and securing an admission in one of the premier B-schools of our country, I have come a long way. However, this is just where the game begins and this is just the period where a boy transformed into a man. All the training and efforts put in during these initial years have shaped me to be ready to face harder challenges treating them as opportunities rather than adversities.
#IIMRaipur #ABGLPWooMe