Challenges are what defines and shapes an individual. Challenges bring out the hidden potential in us and show us all the possibilities in life if we are ready to face and overcome them, our life becomes meaningful. That’s when learning happens and adds a new colour to our personality. In the light of this, I would to share two incidents from my life.
During 2018 I decided to prepare for CAT which was to be held in November 2018 and started my preparation since march 2018.
When things were going perfectly fine, suddenly my mother who was at Chennai had some serious health issues. I was working at Mumbai and my father was also not working at Chennai at that time. With no other alternative, I requested for transfer to Chennai to take care of my mother. Fortunately, my request got acceded to. One tricky issue in this transfer was my entire team was in Mumbai and I had to work independently from Chennai office. I went ahead with the transfer and started working from Chennai office in July 2018.
It was a tough and rigorous situation at office. I had to spend long hours in the office to complete my work. Simultaneously I had to concentrate on my mother’s health also.
Then my mother underwent a major surgery in August 2018. It was a challenging period for everyone in our family. My father came for a few days during the period of surgery but then he had to return to his working place. My mother’s health did not improve as expected and she had many other health complications after the surgery. I was fully supporting her on her daily routines, made her feel comfortable both physically and psychologically but I was very much satisfied to serve her as it was my moral responsibility. It is my small token of love to her when compared to her tireless care and the many sacrifices she has made for me.
This phase of my life was extremely challenging as I had to concentrate on
My office work with full efficiency
My mother
My CAT exam preparation
Because of busy schedule in office and spending more time with my mother to take care of her I was not able to put in the required effort for CAT preparation.
Preparing for CAT exam is not as easy as one can think as it involves a lot of practice, consistency, giving more mock tests, analysing them and changing our preparation method accordingly. As I was very much determined to perform well in CAT, I drastically reduced my sleeping hours, prepared a schedule to make the optimum use of time. Gradually my scores in mock tests started increasing.
Simultaneously, due to continuous monitoring and support to my mother, her health steadily improved. I was very much happy for my mother and was able to focus better on CAT preparation.
I did decently well in CAT and then cleared the WAT, GD and PI rounds and got admission in MDI, Gurgaon for PGP-IM program. I joined my dream college MDI, Gurgaon in June 2019.
The year 2018 – 2019 was a very challenging year in my life with lots of responsibilities and hard work but it finally ended with great happy moments for me and my family and changed me as a person. I learnt that if a person is determined to do something, no matter the various challenges that keep coming, he/she will figure out a way to accomplish it and it moulds them better to tackle anything in life.
I always take challenges as opportunities with positive attitude.
Second incident:
My first job was with L&T Infotech wherein I joined as Graduate Engineer Trainee in October 2016 after my graduation. After my training at Chennai for three months I got transferred to Mumbai office. I was so thrilled to get the same as Mumbai is the Head Office for LTI and many of my seniors encouraged me to join Mumbai office as the exposure will be too good and we get the opportunity to interact with Senior Management. After moving to Mumbai, I was informed I will be allocated to a project after three weeks as there was no vacancy then. One fine day while filling my timesheet (which has to done by every employee manually for every week), an idea popped into my head about automating the timesheet booking process and told this idea to my reporting manager. He encouraged me to try it and also suggested to post a demo video in LTI Knowledge sharing portal. Being a fresher with little hands-on experience, it was very challenging when working on the solution and also there was no one I could seek guidance from for any clarifications. But I continued with my efforts and after two weeks I was able to automate the entire timesheet booking process. Made the demo video and uploaded it in LTI portal. I got huge appreciation from senior management, employees from other departments and this created a visibility for me at LTI which is very tough to get being a fresher.
Life presents us with numerous opportunities. It’s we who have to identify those and make the best out of it. I took up the challenge of automating the timesheet and persisted with my efforts, I got unexpected rewards.
How has ABG impacted me and our society?
My Experiences with Aditya Birla Payments Bank and Planet Fashion
- Aditya Birla Payments Bank
Aditya Birla Group is a pioneer in 14 Industry sectors and has made their impact in Global and National level. This group is in the league of Fortune 500 companies. They have grown their business in major sectors like metals, textiles, carbon black, telecom, cement and bank.
I happened to see one advertisement about Aditya Birla Payments Bank. When I browsed for further details, I found the functioning of the ABPB very interesting and brilliant.
Opening of account:
First step is to open a Savings Bank account in the bank. My previous experience in other banks was lengthy and time-consuming procedure wherein we have to fill up many forms, provide photos and introducers details and above all we have to personally visit the bank at least two times.
But with ABPB it was very simple and hassle free. I had to sign on the APBP website, download their mobile app from Google Play. I just had to share my mobile number, date of birth, address, PAN card, Aadhar card to open the account online. Then my account was ready for starting transaction like deposits, withdrawals, online payments etc. The bank is paying interest on weekly basis whereas many banks pay interest on monthly basis only. An exclusive shopping card is given to the account holders to enable shopping at over 1 million outlets. Our mobile number is our account number and there is option to change our account number. We can transact online using mobile app and UPI app by using the OTP. By using single PIN our SB a/c mobile banking can be accessed at any time. With the ABPB wallet one can make payments instantly while on the move. Using this wallet, payments can be made for mobile, DTH and data card recharge, postpaid and all types of utility bill payments.
Fund transfer can also be made using this app. Even without an internet connection, access can be made by simply dialing *400# from our idea mobile phone number.
The BHIM ABPB app is an excellent app by which funds can be transferred instantly just like sending a message by using unique UPI id. We have to register our bank account number linked with our mobile number to link with the app and then it is ready for transferring of funds.
It is very safe and fast. We can even save our regular expenses in this app and reminders will be received for their timely payments.
Loans:
Personal loans can be obtained through this bank from various lenders at the most competitive interest rates. Our bank account details are shared with lenders and the eligible loan amount is transferred to our bank account quickly.
Moreover, a lot of insurance plans are available with ABPB to suit our requirements with less premium.
Conclusion:
It is a very pleasing experience with ABPB even without visiting the branch but still getting lots of better benefits.
A GOOD BANK TO BANK WITH
- Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL)
The brands covered under this group are Pantaloons, People, Planet Fashion, etc. I'm a regular visitor of Planet Fashion. The brand attracts young professionals and offers a lot of varieties, styles, designs and sizes. Planet Fashion is one stop showroom for brands like Allen Solly, Louis Philippe, Peter England and Van Heusen. PF gives a wide range of clothing, shoes, accessories for men and women to make them stylish and fashionable to the current fashion trends. The designs are awesome and glamorous in any type of styles like Kurtis, Palazzos, Salwar suits, Patiala, full size dresses, T shirts, Trousers(formal and casual). We can complete our desired purchase under one roof with fullest satisfaction.
One of the best reasons and attraction to shop at PF is shopping with their fashion gift cards and gift vouchers ranging from Rs500 to Rs5000. Using these gift cards and vouchers gives us the maximum benefit not only on existing discounts but also on regular sales and hence we get the utmost benefit at minimum cost. They also offer Payback 3 points for every purchase value of Rs100 and these are called Payback Vouchers. These vouchers give further discounts and make our purchase even more affordable and enjoyable.
Overall, that shopping at PF is a fantastic experience with fullest satisfaction of quality purchase at affordable costs