Being born in a middle-class family, where most of the people were employed in the education sector, I was always motivated to perform well in academics. I was able to make my parents and other family members proud by securing the first position in my school when class XII results were declared. I was also among the top five students in the college based on merit. Apart from excelling in academics, I paid huge attention to participating in extra-curricular activities. I came out as a good dancer and painter. I was good at sports and used to represent my college in football.
After working for 2 years in a reputed MNC, I decided to pursue my career in the management field and started preparing for MBA exams. I had to manage my office work and studies side-by-side. I was doing pretty well and securing good marks in mock tests.
But, just before two months from the exam, I met with an accident. I had my ACL ligament and a couple of tendons ruptured. The pain was unbearable but that was not what I was moaning for. It was the efforts I had put in for the preparation of the entrance examination. I could see the dreams of joining a B-school next year shattering. I told my parents about it and to my surprise, they laughed at me. I couldn’t understand at first.
But they said – “There is nothing in this world you can’t achieve. You don’t need the coaching institutes to crack the exam. You can do it sitting at home and we will make sure you are fit by the time exam date approaches”.
I was spellbound by these words, but it actually provided me with the motivation and confidence I needed at that time. The condition was such that I couldn’t move my leg an inch and the doctor had advised a complete two months bed-rest. But my parents ensured that I was provided with everything I needed. They supported me through-out, filled me up with the required motivation at times I felt low. I knew they were hurt seeing me bed-ridden, but they never displayed that emotion while I was preparing. But I could sense it. I knew I had to do this and when the day of the exam arrived, I was prepared. My parents took me to the exam centre.
When I came out and told them how it went, there were tears of happiness in their eyes and I had a sense of contentment that I did not let the mishap come in the way of my dreams and I had my biggest support system besides me- my parents.
Why Aditya Birla Group is big in my life
Aditya Birla Group is the third largest Indian private sector conglomerate, with a revenue of over $44 billion in 2018. Aditya Birla Group has impacted the lives of millions directly or indirectly. Due to the presence in sectors like Metals, Cement, Branded Apparels, Carbon black, Chemicals, Financial Services, Fertilizers, Insulators, etc, ABG has been able to bring a change in the lifestyle of people. There is not even a slight chance that one does not use or come across a product which comes under the umbrella of ABG.
If I consider, for example, the daily routine of mine, there will be no less than a dozen of products or services from ABG which I would be using. When I ponder the question of what impact ABG had in my life and try to recollect the first memory that I have of using an ABG product, the picture of Ultra tech cement comes to my mind. It was way back in 1998 when our house construction started and my father decided to go for UltraTech. We have never had any regret with the decision as we never faced any problem post construction of the house. It is rightly said – India’s Number 1 Cement.
During my under-graduation program, my college was located on high altitudes in Himachal. I couldn’t use my existing mobile network as the signal strength was quite poor. I enquired and came to know that Idea Cellular network is the best in the area. I switched and continued using the Idea service for the next complete four years. The quality of service they provided on difficult terrains like this signifies the extent of their reach and quality service they struggle to provide.
Apart from the services mentioned above, the goods and services provided by ABG in the fashion industry are tremendous. The branded apparels sold via brick and mortar stores and online stores dominate the market and enjoy a good percentage of customer share. I personally have been a regular customer at Pantaloons store. Apart from quality products, the main factor which drives the customer retention according to me is the hospitality shown by the employees of the store. This adds to my experience as a customer and makes me consider the store every time I think of buying a new garment.
ABG has, without a doubt, ensured to achieve their vision of being a premium global conglomerate keeping in mind that their mission of delivering supreme value to customers, employees, shareholders, and society is given utmost priority.
