This deeply defeatist cycle of pessimistic self-pity lasted for a good two months until I decided I was done moping around. I was tired of feeling sorry for myself. I decided to seek counseling. Slowly and steadily, things turned around. The pain wasn’t as excruciating and a turnaround in career seemed possible if only I ventured out of the comfort zone I had built for myself. Over the years, I had listlessly entertained thoughts of a change in career paths. I decided it was now or never. I filled up the CAT form in its last weeks, gathered whatever resources I could and jumped into preparation.
4:44 pm. Jan 23, 2019. I stared into the computer screen. Jaded. The mail congratulated me. I was shortlisted for interview in all the institutes under CAP 2019. Another lump grew in my throat. This time for different reasons. I immediately scoured the internet for the best places to buy a business suit. My very first.
The same evening, I walked into the halls of the elegantly styled Van Heusen showroom at the nearby mall. To an outsider, it was a mundane exercise. To me, it held the promise of a new future, the chance at redemption. I glanced around. A young, pimply faced kid with his mom trying out shirts on his lanky frame. An affluent looking, salt and pepper headed gentleman trying on a fancy suit. A young woman parading her dresses in front of her partner for the umpteenth time as he rolls his eyes and yawns in front of the trial room, her bags firmly ensconced in his hands. Different individuals, different stories, one roof. As the friendly saleswoman walked me through a range of tastefully curated fashionable ensembles, my mind raced back again.
Growing up in a small city, my classmates and I would watch in wonder from our school-bus, as the all-glass building that would house the first Pantaloons in North-East India gradually took shape. We watched and waited to see a one-stop place numerous pieces of clothing under one roof spanning multiple floors. Our gateway to modern life our counterparts in the metro cities were accustomed to. As kids, Pantaloons, without probably anticipating it, became the hangout zone of us teens.
I realize now, that the Aditya Birla Group has been a part of my life without I even realizing it. From watching in childlike wonder, as the trucks unloaded sacks of Ultra Tech cement that would finally build the house we grew up in, to the first taste of adolescent independence at Pantaloons and to buying the first business suit that finally landed me at IIM Ranchi, the ABG conglomerate has been a silent and steadfast friend throughout my life. An economist would rattle out the billions that the ABG conglomerate is worth, the brand value it commands over different sectors, however, it is the association ABG products have with the defining moments of our life that makes it unique. It is what shall hold the test of time.
Comments
Tuhin Subhra Samanta
A dreamer, a believer, an achiever
Very well written
19 Jul 2019, 01.42 AM
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Maushumi Deori
An erstwhile microbiologist who jumped ship to pursue a career in marketing!
Thanks
19 Jul 2019, 07.58 PM |
Kavya Barnadhya Hazarika
Kavya Barnadhya Hazarika is currently pursuing an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi. He did his graduation in Computer Science Engineering from Tezpur Central University, Assam.
Loved it Maushumi!
19 Jul 2019, 07.54 PM
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Maushumi Deori
An erstwhile microbiologist who jumped ship to pursue a career in marketing!
Thank you!
19 Jul 2019, 07.58 PM |
Suraj Singh
I am an avid reader
Nice article Maushumi...Keep it up!!
19 Jul 2019, 08.03 PM
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Maushumi Deori
An erstwhile microbiologist who jumped ship to pursue a career in marketing!
Thanks
19 Jul 2019, 10.34 PM |
SREEVATSA B
I am a student of IIM Ranchi batch 2019-21. MBA was always a dream and pursuing it currently from IIM Ranchi is a dream come true.
Very well witten ..!!
19 Jul 2019, 10.13 PM
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Maushumi Deori
An erstwhile microbiologist who jumped ship to pursue a career in marketing!
Thanks!
19 Jul 2019, 10.48 PM |
RISHABH DHIMAN
I believe in honesty and hard work.
nicely written
19 Jul 2019, 10.32 PM
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Maushumi Deori
An erstwhile microbiologist who jumped ship to pursue a career in marketing!
Thanks!
19 Jul 2019, 10.44 PM |
Aaryav Anand
Aaryav Anand is a startup enthusiast and a strong believer in the fact that entrepreneurial ideas and innovation can solve the bigger problems of the world. He has a good understanding of solving ground-level problems which have developed because of his entrepreneurial journey with different Startups working to solve ground level problems in India.
Well Written
19 Jul 2019, 10.42 PM
+Read Replies (1)
Maushumi Deori
An erstwhile microbiologist who jumped ship to pursue a career in marketing!
Thanks!
20 Jul 2019, 01.20 AM |
Tanay Agrawal
I am pursuing MBA at IIM Ranchi. I seek a career in the field of Finance. I am awaiting the results of CFA Level 2. I am passionate about writing.
Inspiring!
19 Jul 2019, 11.00 PM
+Read Replies (1)
Maushumi Deori
An erstwhile microbiologist who jumped ship to pursue a career in marketing!
Thanks!
20 Jul 2019, 01.20 AM |
Mukul Sharma
I am creative person with artistic inclinations. I am a painter, an illustrator and a tattoo designer, and have achieved this through study and rigorous practice. I am also a voracious reader of a spectrum of subjects starting from psychology to down to politics, and constantly like to expose myself to new ideas. I believe the depth of the character is an evidence of the quality of life lived. My value systems have been molded by art and literature and have deeply religious undertones.
All is well if the end is well
19 Jul 2019, 11.03 PM
+Read Replies (1)
Maushumi Deori
An erstwhile microbiologist who jumped ship to pursue a career in marketing!
Thanks!
20 Jul 2019, 01.22 AM |
LOKESH .
Graduated from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University . I am an Athlete and always ready to run .
nyc one !!
19 Jul 2019, 11.33 PM
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Maushumi Deori
An erstwhile microbiologist who jumped ship to pursue a career in marketing!
Thanks, lokesss from Haryana!
20 Jul 2019, 01.22 AM |
SUBHAM AGRAWAL
Subham Sekhar Agrawal, PGDM(2019-21) Student, IIM Ranchi
Lovely piece of writing.......
19 Jul 2019, 11.46 PM
+Read Replies (1)
Maushumi Deori
An erstwhile microbiologist who jumped ship to pursue a career in marketing!
Thanks!
20 Jul 2019, 01.21 AM |
Arijeet Debnath
An author in the making!!
20 Jul 2019, 12.09 AM
+Read Replies (1)
Maushumi Deori
An erstwhile microbiologist who jumped ship to pursue a career in marketing!
Thanks! Haha! :)
20 Jul 2019, 01.21 AM |
Rakhi Mittal
I am quite passionate about my work and thrive to excel in the challenges that comes in my way. I tend to self-motivate myself. I am more of a creative person and loves to take risk. In my work ex, I had been constant in gaining new skills and keep myself updated to perform better.
Well said!
20 Jul 2019, 12.35 AM
+Read Replies (1)
Maushumi Deori
An erstwhile microbiologist who jumped ship to pursue a career in marketing!
Thanks!!!
20 Jul 2019, 01.23 AM |
Gopinath M
M.Gopinath MBA from IIM Ranchi - Batch 2019-21 A free spirit, who loves to travel. If a door doesn't open when knocked, then break it. Hustle, More Hustle, Achieve...
great article...keep it up
20 Jul 2019, 01.15 AM
+Read Replies (1)
Maushumi Deori
An erstwhile microbiologist who jumped ship to pursue a career in marketing!
Thanks!
20 Jul 2019, 01.23 AM |
VINOTH KUMAR N N
Vinoth Kumar N N MBA 2019-21 Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi
Great!!!
20 Jul 2019, 02.06 AM
VANISHA DEV D S
Vanisha Dev D S, MBA(2019-2021), IIM Ranchi An ardent and an optimistic sapien
Wow! This sounds awesome
20 Jul 2019, 03.10 AM
Palash Majhisamant
Travel enthusiast, Dancer, Regional writer, Conversation lover
Great Read!!
20 Jul 2019, 06.38 AM
Chandni Sinha
I am Chandni Kumari Sinha, a MBA student of Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi.
Well written...
20 Jul 2019, 06.57 AM
Animesh Kumar
Currently pursuing MBA from IIM Ranchi. Working as Consultant I have experience in both production as well as IT based service industry. Earlier, I have been associated with literacy mission for underprivileged students. I enjoy travelling and studying new culture alongside.
Well written
20 Jul 2019, 07.59 AM
Ananya Das
MBA student at IIM Ranchi || Bibliophile || Public Speaker
Well articulated!
20 Jul 2019, 10.32 AM
Progya Paromita Mondal
Thinking analytically gives me pleasure and I love solving puzzles. And I spent quite a lot of time with sudokus.
Nicely written Maushumi !
20 Jul 2019, 10.46 AM
Prateek Agarwal
MBA 2019-21 Batch of IIM Ranchi
Nice article!
20 Jul 2019, 11.23 AM
T Manikanta
I am an Avid Reader, Public Speaker, and a Marketing Enthusiast. As an optimist, I always kept learning from the challenges and treasured all the lessons that life had taught me. As a firm believer in actions than words, I respond rather than reacting to situations. Openness to feedback and willing to improvise keeps me going and I love the same in person I interact with. After BE from Osmania University, I've worked with Wells Fargo as a Quality Assurance Analyst for 3 years. Currently, I am pursuing MBA from IIM Ranchi and would love to explore the opportunities that come along my way.
Lovely article :)
20 Jul 2019, 11.34 AM
Abhilash Das
First-year MBA Student at Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi.
Well done!
20 Jul 2019, 11.36 AM
Dipika Basumatary
Appreciator of aesthetics and go-getter. PGP-MBA student at IIM Ranchi.
Great narration Maushumi!
20 Jul 2019, 12.35 PM
Parushi Garg
Great work..
20 Jul 2019, 12.40 PM
Sanjeev Kumar
I LOVE SPENDING TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. I LOVE TO LISTEN MUSIC TOO.
nice work
20 Jul 2019, 12.49 PM
Kiranmayi Ganti
I am currently a PGP Student at IIM Ranchi. During my free time, I enjoy singing and reading books.
Amazing one Maushumi
20 Jul 2019, 01.58 PM
RISHABH DHIMAN
I believe in honesty and hard work.
inspirational.
20 Jul 2019, 03.12 PM