I am one of the millions lives that Aditya Birla group having 1,20,000 employees worldwide has impacted. The company holds a really special place in my life there are a lot of incidents that come into my mind while thinking about how ABG has impacted my life. To state one of them I would want to tell how pantaloons a fashion retail store by Aditya Birla Group made my small moment a special one for me and my mother. I have been born and brought up in a family where both my parents are working, my dad being in profession that required travelling a lot, due to which both the roles of a dad and mom were done by my mother which she did with a constant smile on her face.

So, when I was in 8^th standard, unlike all fathers day I decided to surprise my mother with singing her a song in the annual event of my school which was held that year held on fathers day with a song because she always wanted me to go up to the stage and sing a song as she really adored my voice. So I gathered the courage, controlled my anxiety and resisted my name for the event.

All the preparations were done but one thing that was there in me was the stage fear I always had, I did share this thing with my sister and she tried motivating by words but nothing worked because I continued imagining myself on the stage and thinking what if something went wrong. My sister promised me that she will ensure that everything goes perfect, so one day before the event she took me to the Pantaloons store that recently opened in my locality. I was amazed looking the wide variety of collection available under one roof, this was really one of its kind in my city. I loved how it had all of my favorite brand with the unexpected discounts and offers. My sister asked me to buy something that I would feel confident in, going through the collection I found a perfect outfit that I could wear. When I tried it and looked into the mirror I could feel that sense of confidence reflecting into the mirror and that very moment I knew that this is what I wanted to wear on the big day.

At last the day came and my parents were in the audience, my mother was sitting there not knowing what was going to happen the very next hour. The performer before me did really well which increased the expectations of the crowd and thus increasing the performance pressure, but deep inside I could feel the confidence that my outfit provided me with the compliments I received back stage. Finally, my chance came I took a deep breath and started with “this one is for you mom” and sang “Meri Maa by Kailash Kher” I could feel the rush of emotions going amongst the audience while some had tears, others had that peaceful smile as soon as I finished there was a silence for a few seconds and it everyone got up together with an applause that echoed in the hall amongst all the crowd I was finding my mom. My mom stepped out of the crowd and came towards me. That moment appeared as the whole world is complete.

I can proudly say that Aditya Birla group helped me overcoming my fear of going on the stage, anxiety and strengthening the bond I had with my mother.

Anjali Sharma

A fathers day for my mother with Aditya Birla - Anjali Sharma, SIBM Pune