It is difficult to think of a big brand or organisation and not try to associate it with the closest product/service you know. So as big as Aditya Birla Group is, the mention of its name brings to my mind two aspects of life very close to me – my investment and my attire !The investment part of it started with my first job at a bank wherein I got introduced to a diverse array of mutual funds, among other financial instruments. The research that ensued brought to fore the types and names of several mutual funds, with Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund being one of the top performers in a number of categories. It was no surprise then that it was a highly recommended fund across investment portfolios and ended up being the first equity fund I invested in myself. For a young woman, fresh out of the education system and into her first job, the emotions associated with this tiny investment decision taken independently, were manifold. As elated as she was ,she was also apprehensive – how closely should she follow the market now, what could be the actual returns scenario, what if the market goes for a toss tomorrow?! Standing in the present moment, I am glad to observe that I did not let my apprehensions get the better of me and I continue to be a loyal investor in that very fund. Again, as a then employee of the bank it was a fulfilling experience to have happy returning customers who had become my fellow investors !
The knowledge that brands like Peter England, Louis Philippe, Pantaloons were housed under the Aditya Birla Group did not come as easy, even though we have grown up seeing Peter England as one of the most loved menswear brands in India and passed by that Pantaloons store countless times. It was much later into adulthood, when I had started wearing more of the Allen Solly-s Van Heusen-s and Forever 21-s that this information became known. As is evident from the visibility of these brands and the number of retail outlets, their products are extremely popular owing to exquisite workmanship and affordability. Especially in the area of formal wear, brands like Van Heusen and Peter England are what I personally identify with the most and can vouch that most of us do too – millennials and non-millennials alike.
Some of the Challenges I Faced in my Journey Thus Far
While we all face hardships in the course of life there are some which stand out due to the impact they have on our lives. For me, the first of these occurred during my graduation when I underwent a surgery five days before my first semester exams were to begin. I soon realized I had underestimated the pain and complications post an operation and as it followed, my performance in the exams took a major blow including me having to skip some of the papers. This meant the papers had to be cleared in the later semesters and with a rigorous schedule like ours back then it was not an easy feat. For someone used to going by the rule-book, the entire experience was almost traumatic for me. However I continued to strive and never lost the love for my subject(Economics) which is what led me to pursue a post-graduation on the same.The other noteworthy challenging phase in my life was in my tenure as a banker during the period of demonetization. Junior-most in the branch I was posted in, my role involved front-end retail banking operations. The crisis that came with demonetization forced us to prepare for drastic changes in the banking operations overnight. We were required to understand and implement new rules every day , take decisions on the spot while upholding the security and managing chaotic crowds. Being at the cash counter at such a critical time and duly carrying out the cash transactions first hand was the most intense and hectic experience. Having worked on an average of 16 hours a day during this period, the kind of physical and mental tenacity that was required was extremely demanding, to say the least. But given how the entire experience also helped me evolve as an individual I call myself fortunate to have faced such a challenge. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and not only brought to fore but enhanced my skills in managing people, time and adaptability.
