There are many reasons why Aditya Birla Group has been a part of my life for so many years now. Considering the various pies the group has its hands in. The company already having its interests in viscose staple fibres, metals, cement, apparels etc

Beginning with things I may have been associated with, is the cement part of it. I may have lived in a house or a building or even studied in that was made by the AB Group. I am a mechanical engineer from Hyderabad where Ultratech Cement is widely used in all its constructions.

Main phone Service Provider to parents was Idea. The number is still used by my mother. It’s easily a 10+ year association right there! My relatives who are of one generation before me still associate to any phone company as IDEA as it is what they began with.

Coming to shopping, we as kids had a lot of shopping appetite of course mommy and daddy floated the bill. Clearly with the lack of time, it was very difficult to have a variety of shopping options in the same place, it was then we as kids were introduced to Pantaloons and in turn Lifestyle. I being from Hyderabad know lifestyle very well as its in a beautiful building on the main road of Begumpet. It is one of the most famous landmark of the area. We call the building “Lifestyle Building” its very close to our heart and our tummy, for all the food available in the area.

Coming to something that is really close to my heart , is the apparel part of ABG. As I grew up wearing baby clothes and child brands, I transitioned to Big boy clothes and the only brand I went to was Allen Solly. At one point in my life, I only had Allen Solly clothing in my wardrobe. The store located in Park Lane, Hyderabad was my go to place for any clothing requirement in life. It was here I was introduced to the Solly Membership which I happily opted for. My Solly points were so high I could purchase shirts just using my points and nothing else.

Now as the years passed and I was at my Allen Solly Peak, My girlfriend chose another brand to gift me a shirt from. And knowing unknowingly she got me a Shirt from Van Heusen. I WAS HOOKED. I have ever since only purchased all my clothing formal or informal from Van Heusen. Even now I transition only between two brands that is Allen Solly for trousers and jeans and Van Heusen for Shirts. The jeans of Allen Solly have this particular tapered fit that I prefer very much. It’s the only jeans I have bought until now. I have visited the store so many times, the management made me take the Power Membership of Van Heusen to avail the benefits of such shopping spree.

Interesting fact is just recently I had gone on a good shopping frenzy for my college life and purchased all my formals from VH and was given a free T Shirt from the IQ T-shirt offer. This process was repeated twice on two separate events and now my girlfriend and I twin with those navy blue t shirts proudly. I did not realise until this competition that most of my life I’ve been carrying ABG Clothing around.

This has only come to me as a surprise in life that I have been associated with the Aditya Birla Group for the most basic needs till now. And I hope this association remains for years to come.

I have always been someone who does not take unnecessary risks. I do not remember any such particular instance where I have made a big impact. I have always represented a better balanced environment to my peers.

I have been involved in many hobbies, hence I have always encouraged participation towards extracurricular activities along with studies. There are a plethora of unconventional hobbies that we usually ignore and I have always advocated participation in the same.

It is also very important to stand by the correct decision you make throughout without a wavering mindset. I advocate being Frank in any decision we make and being outspoken in any wrongdoing is as important. I practice the above and encourage my peers to follow suit as well.

Akshay Krishna

Aditya Birla in my life since 1994, SIBM Pune