After graduating from college, I got an internship in Msc Memok Tervezo in Budapest, Hungary. During weekends, I used to travel to neighbouring countries to learn more about the cities and their lifestyles. During one of my weekend trips, I discovered a new concept of growing fruits and vegetables in a soilless medium known as Hydroponics. I had an opportunity to go for my masters during this time but I decided to come back to India and do something for the people of rural India. I decided to start my small startup venture in the field of hydroponics.
The problems started as soon as I decided to drop my master's plan. My parents were unhappy and kept on forcing me to change my plans. Apart from them my friends and relatives weren’t supportive of my decision. As no big companies were working in this type of start-up, I had no clue where to start. There was a point where I was physically moving in remotest villages in 3 different states. No proper food and accommodation arrangement but I had the required enthusiasm to push to my limits. At times I used to feel like I should leave this and go back home, as my mental strength was draining very fast. Emotionally as no one was supporting me I broke down into tears quite a few times.
Finally, I managed to learn and build my setup of hydroponics and was left with the one of the important thing i.e finance. I was wondering how to overcome this challenge. I needed PVC pipes, plant seeds, and other equipment as soon as possible. I decided to go to the vendors and tell them about my situation in detail and make them understand the importance of this venture and how they would get benefited from this in the near future. They agreed to give me the equipment on credit and I finally managed to build my setup. It challenged me physically, emotionally, mentally and financially but I managed to overcome all these difficulties.
The fresh green lettuce and cherry tomatoes that came as a product made me forget all my tension and brought a smile on my face.
‘Why Aditya Birla Group is big in your life’
For a state so inundated by calamity - natural and man-made in the recent past, Gujarat had every right to hope for an uneventful 2005. But mid-way through the year, in an almost malicious elemental subversion, the state was struck by a monstrous monsoon not witnessed in almost four decades. For a state so inundated by calamity - natural and man-made in the recent past, Gujarat had every right to hope for an uneventful 2005.
My city was completely submerged in water and the schools, colleges, restaurants and all the public transport were shut down. The initial thought that came to a 10-year-old boy like me was that I am getting holidays but on the other hand no TV or Fan to support me. Our friends and relatives from various parts of the country were trying to contact their loved ones trapped in that devastating flood. The main concern was the connectivity of the mobile networks as the flood along with water uprooted many towers and made them nonfunctional. My family and I were fortunate enough to have an idea cellular sim card and we got calls the entire day to inquire about our safety. The connection of the idea network was so powerful that our neighbours also used it to call their relatives or concerned authority for help.
After a few days, the food available at home got over and we were searching for food in nearby stores but in vain. Fortunately, the government along with NGO’s hired a few helicopters to throw food packets in the affected area. We were wondering about the food quality as it was still raining heavily and food might get spoiled. As soon as I received my food packet, I opened it, it brought joy to my face as the food was good as it was wrapped in aluminium foil which is manufactured by Hindalco under the brand of Aditya Birla Group.
My home town situated in Madhya Pradesh is a small village approximately 60 km from Indore. Even though it had no issues with water, electricity and the crop produced, the major concern was transportation. It lacked proper pakka road and people like me who used to visit their village during summer holidays faced issues.
I remember one summer morning when I was going to my farm with my grandfather I saw 5-6 trucks coming from the opposite directions, It later came to our notice that the government has finally decided to build a road and those truck were loaded with the ultra tech cement bags which would be used in the construction of the road. I was in my 11th class and being in an adolescent phase, I had a curiosity to see the road construction. The villagers and I were happy that the roads were built. Later, after 2 years, few villagers were happy to get mobile towers of the idea being constructed in their backyard. One tower was constructed at our house also. Apart from giving the connectivity it also gave us a monthly income of Rs. 6000.
So, at last, I would like to say that Aditya Birla Group has not only made our lives easier by the connectivity of networks and roads but also solved many issues that the rural and urban citizens are facing.