Aditya Birla Group And Me
From a small rayon weaving unit at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh to India’s third-largest multinational conglomerate with revenue of USD 44.3 billion in 2018, Aditya Birla Group (ABG), has transformed people’s lives, in many ways. Transcending over the boundaries of 35 countries, with an employee strength of over 120,000 worldwide and leading in 14 industry sectors like Aluminum, Cement manufacturing, Viscose Staple fiber, Chemicals, Carbon Black, Financial Services, Telecom and many more, ABG has unfailingly provided revolutionary services to people worldwide. The journey of ABG, itself has made a huge impact on my life, as it inspires me to take up challenges, spread my wings and keep looking forward, while at the same time keeping myself rooted in my values.
In my life, ABG‘s Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (ABFRL) has played an integral part in many facets. Pantaloons Fashion and Retail, a large format fashion retailer, and Forever 21 have always been a one-stop solution for my Apparel and accessories needs. The products’ comfort, versatility, and beauty make me feel confident, whenever I don them. Hosting multiple brands, Pantaloons provides a great single-destination shopping experience. Brands like Van Heusen, Allen Solly, and Louis Philippe, well known for their quintessential clothing, have unfailingly catered to all sartorial needs not just for me, but also for my family. On the other hand, luxury brands like Ralph Lauren, Ted Baker, etc. continue to be my dream shopping destination, for their profoundly luxurious, sophisticated and beautiful designer outfits. The multi-faceted approach of ABFRL to the Fashion and Retail sector is something that inspires me to have a holistic perception of situations in life.
ABG’s Vodafone Idea Limited, formerly known as Idea Cellular Limited has also played a major role in my life. I continue to be a faithful customer of the Telecom brand and plan to continue doing so. With its vast connectivity and fast services, Vodafone Idea has revolutionized the way people connect through smartphones, especially in rural areas of India. It has been my constant companion during my travels, even in the most remote regions of the country.
Aditya Birla Group’s vision of providing services through the “Power of 5”, through practicing integrity, passion , commitment, seamlessness and speed, in India as well as globally, has inspired me to incorporate these values in my life as well, to help me achieve my personal as well as professional targets as efficiently as ABG does.
The Challenge that changed my life
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
A challenge in my life that changed the way I looked at failures was when I scored very low marks in my Annual Examinations in Class 8th. This happened when I had to change my School Board from ICSE to CBSE while moving from Lucknow to Delhi. This transition exposed me to a completely new curriculum and subjects. Moreover, a severe injury in my left hand during my Half-yearly Examinations added to my woes and I had to skip many examinations. All this contributed to a very low in my Annual Examinations and I ranked 68th in my batch.
The dismal result came as a shock to me and my parents. It led people to ridicule me and question my ability to comprehend and perform. But before the constant taunts and scolding took a toll on me, I decided to take my fate in my own hands, accept my results and challenged myself to perform beyond expectations. I started working hard, dedicating all my time to study, gather knowledge and hone my extra-curricular skills. I exposed myself to various challenges and competitions at School. Sooner than later, my consistent efforts and hard work gave me results when I stood 3rd in my batch during my Half Yearly Examinations. This leap inspired me to work harder, even in my extra-curricular activities like Debates and Swimming. My discipline and perseverance led me to become the Prefect for two consecutive years. In the end, the sweet fruit of success came, when I stood 1st in my Annual Examinations of class 9th, reinstating my parents’ confidence in me, which came as a cherry on the cake.
This challenge changed my perception of looking Challenges as roadblocks, but as mere obstacles that can be overcome by Hard Work and Perseverance. After overcoming many failures and challenges, today, as a student at IIFT Kolkata, I can affirm with assurance that Challenges don't kill you, and What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.