During its 162 years of history and operations, Aditya Birla Group, a USD 44.3 billion conglomerate, with presence in 34 countries across 5 continents, has touched lives of millions like me, through its various business operations since its inception in the year 1857 and has deeply embedded itself into our day to day lives through its various high-quality, diverse products.

Currently, sitting in my room writing this article, when I look around, I can see products made by ABGLP that I am using every day. Be it the Louis Philippe formal suit, the trousers that I bought from Pantaloons store or the sim card that I have been using for the past 10 years. But ABGLP is not just restricted to the above products, it provides financial services, raw materials for the infrastructure sector, insurance products, BPO, and software services among others and is the world leader in the supply of carbon black additives, and in a way has touched most of our lives indirectly through the tires, rubber, paint, ink, plastic, etc. we use on a daily basis.

But what makes it different from other large conglomerates is the desire to make the world a better place by adopting eco-friendly and sustainable business practices while instituting a comprehensive CSR initiative focused on improving the status of health, education, infrastructure sector in our country. In recent times, the group has not only broadened its outlook but has also become a global powerhouse with interest in multiple sectors with the goal of becoming a market leader in most of them. On a personal level, whenever I hear the words Aditya Birla Group, the first thing that comes to my mind are reliability and respect and I have been a huge benefactor of most of their products in some or the other way.

My biggest challenge

I was a strong-headed person during my school time and during an altercation with some bullies, I got beat up by 10-15 guys, while I was trying to help my friend, what shocked & hurt me the most was nobody came to help me. This incident changed my perspective on life and I became more reserved, independent and got into a shell of my own associating with people only when it was needed and found comfort in being alone. This behavior of mine continued until I stayed in a hostel while pursuing my graduation in engineering. During this time period, my outlook towards life started changing and I realized I could not stay the way I was and I needed to change and become approachable and outward in my behavior. It was not an easy process, and it did take me some time to change as a person. I started mingling with people, asking people for help, being empathetic towards others problems and sympathetic towards their feelings. Initially, it was forced but gradually I started enjoying the process and it sort of became like the most important challenge in my life, which I had to overcome and come out on top. As such shyness was never a problem, but being social was and having consciously worked on improving it, I am proud to say that I have finally overcome my challenge and in the current 1st year batch of IIFT which I am a part of, I have interacted on a personal level and formed a good friendship with most of the mine peers.

AKHIL AJAMILAN PILLAI MBA 2019-21 (Kolkata)

Aditya Birla Group and The Quest for Continous Improvement | Akhil Pillai, IIFT