Isn’t the idea of walking in a dark room intimidating? One might bump on something or stumble or perhaps fall. Discarding such a path seems the best possible case. But a moment’s reflection reveals that our sensory organs perform exceptionally well under such a circumstance as if the ears could possibly hear the slightest of decibel. The example asserts that roads covered with thick fog often bring us in terms to the unexplored faculties within us, creating a better version of us.
I too underwent a journey ‘within’. The lines from Robert Frost’s poem capture best the essence of my journey.
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
In India, marginalization does not discount education, leave alone race, caste or creed. The social conditioning influences students to pursue career pathways in alliance to the ranking system generated by the society. We could have a glimpse on the strata drafted. The cream layer opts for Science or Commerce (in pursuit of CA). The lowest in rung are the discarded lots who take refuge in Humanities, paradoxically the field closest to human race.
I too suffered from this disease and as per the syndrome I opted for Science in Intermediate despite my love for literature. The mental satisfaction was well accomplished but the motivation was all lost. My hard work went in vain and I could not crack the medical entrance examination. The disappointment was huge owing to the high opportunity cost I had to pay. Romanticizing the scenario, it was time to rise from the ashes. Without any discussion, I chose English literature for my graduation.
The reaction was received as per the order of the day. I was mocked at by my peer circle for quitting the nobility of science. People around asked me to reconsider my decision. Some good souls sympathized with my fate; after all I was now a part of the discarded lot. I remember being addressed at social gatherings with words of condolence. But the best thing to happen was that I enjoyed what I learnt and read as a literature student. All these three years I had been fighting with the stereotype deeply ingrained in the minds of people around; a prejudice that has for ages refrained young minds to pursue their way.
The three years of graduation ended and I came out as the Gold Medalist in English Literature. More than an academic achievement, what I had achieved was freeing myself from the crippled ideology of marginalizing a stream. Today I have competed with students from varied streams and finally I am a part of one of the premier Business Schools in the country. Literature gave me an eye to view the world differently and I am heading for a new journey to apply these creative faculties in the real world scenario. Through my struggle, I created a value system within me.
There is however an organization that helps in delivering superior values to its customers, shareholders, employees and society at large. It is Aditya Birla Group. I remember the contentment on my mother’s face while handing me my lunch box because the food was safe in Freshwrapp. This satisfaction is an effective delivery of superior values to the customers.
I come from a city which eight years back did not have a promising multi-brand retail store. With the coming of Pantaloons, the city witnessed a paradigm shift in the lifestyles of residents. The store was located in an area that was avoided at late hours. But within no time, the area bloomed with life. Pantaloons became an inspiration for other retail stores to venture in that location. Today, the place is the heart of the city. I am the resident of the area and I have witnessed how the area got revolutionized from a feared location to a place bustling with positive vibes. The place has witnessed the setting up of number of restaurants, coaching centres and other retail outlets. In no time the property cost skyrocketed. That was the magnitude of impact Aditya Birla Group created in our area.
It is rightly said “an idea can change your life”. Aditya Birla Group is BIG not merely due to its high product quality across sectors and segments but because it has the ability to touch upon the lives of people.