Part A: I still remember the time when I first heard the name “Birla”. It was during my childhood. For me, it was two words rather than one- “Tata-Birla”. In my village (Which is Manikpur in Lakhsarai district of Bihar), whenever elders had to give ‘Misaal’ (Citation) of the success of people or any business they would always take the name “Tata- Birla”. At first, I thought it was named for a single entity but later realized that it was one coherent word symbolizing two great business houses. Therefore, for me, “Aditya Birla Group” was something monumental. It was just a hollow imagination because I did not know a thing about the organization but yet I could apprehend the weight the name carried.
My first physical interaction with “Aditya Birla Group” happened with one of its product – “cement”. I can still vividly remember that logo of Birla group on the cement packet. The most vital element of building dreams of poor and rich people alike gave me some sense of the greatness of this name.
And that sense grew stronger when Idea network tower was set up in my area just after the BSNL. I back traced the name IDEA and it finally led me to “Aditya Birla Group”.
In my engineering college life, I came to know about the various constituents of this group. It was a dream for many students to be part of this group and still those dreams have not faded.
When I joined my job in Durgapur, Junction Mall’s Pantaloons became that place where I came one-step closer to “Aditya Birla Group”. There, I wore an Allen Solly shirt and became one constituent of something monumental.
That is why “Aditya Birla Group” is big in my life.
Part B:
I will not say that I have overcome all of my challenges. For me these challenges are a part of life and getting ahead of them is a continuous process.
Let me talk about my life after matriculation. Because before that whatever challenges I faced, I did not do anything besides being a mere participant. My parents were there for me. I chose (was suggested) engineering because in everyone’s opinion it was the shortest path to get a job and support the family. When I was in the third year at NIT Jamshedpur, my Babuji told me that he would not be able to continue his service for more than one year. Thus, I became the sole earner of my family after passing out of college. Although I have one elder brother who did his engineering from a private college he was doing nothing during that time.
I made up my mind that I was not going to pursue higher education as I had to support the education of my two younger brothers and one sister. Supporting their education made me realize how costly it had become. However, I also knew the importance of education. I waited for four years until one of my brothers and my sister were in 2nd last year of their college. I decided to pursue management and I got an offer from IIM Kashipur. This was the point where I had to take one of the biggest decision of my life. All were dependent on me. There were no savings except PF. Finally, I took the decision and decided to join the college. I took a loan for my education. From PF savings, I am supporting the education of my siblings.
When you do something for others, it gives you satisfaction. However, when you do something for others without compromising on your own goals then it gives you the ultimate satisfaction.
Therefore, I surpassed my challenges with the help of my conviction, family members, friends and “Time”. Time helped me so because sometimes I just waited and challenges were gone.