The road to one’s dreams isn’t always easy to navigate. It is often dotted with mountains to climb with obstacles lying in wait at each turn. There are also trying mind-numbing situations that make one feel like quitting. I feel that faith and hope keep us moving through those trying times. That belief was reinforced during my journey of realising my dream of making it to one of the top B schools in the country. Believing in oneself especially when the odds are all stacked against you.
When I graduated from a reputed engineering institute and landed myself a job in a top investment banking firm, I could see nothing but a path to success flanked by gold on either side. One year of corporate life turned everything on its head. There was a gap between my skills and their useful implementation in the professional space. I realised that only an MBA degree could equip me with a better understanding of the business side, and thus began my journey of MBA preparation.
Working close to 60 hours a week and studying something I had lost all touch with was not easy. But when passion fuels you, even continuous days spent in grueling work are enjoyable. Although I put in the hours, it was no guarantee of getting what I dreamt of. Despite scoring a percentile in excess of 99, I couldn’t make it to any of my desired B schools. Moreover, demands in my corporate life were getting no easier. An entire year’s worth of effort seemed futile. When these things happen, you begin to lose faith in yourself. I went through a phase of self-doubting as well. A number of questions sprung in my mind, but there was the nagging sensation that there was still something left in my reserves, that I had an extra gear to switch to. And so, I decided to give CAT another shot with a belief that this would be my year.
However, despite all the hard work, I could only manage a sub-par 95 percentile. A percentile not good enough to even fetch me calls of my dream B schools. But luck played its part, and I received calls from NITIE and MDI Gurgaon, two of the premiere B schools in India. This was unexpected, to say the least. I talked with a number of people and felt that converting these chances at my percentile was close to impossible. But I’ve always made the most of any opportunities that fall my way, and I didn’t want to give up without putting up a fight. With a month to go for both interviews, I focused on doing one thing industriously. I read, and read, and read. I took notes. Fortune had been good to me, but I didn’t want to bank on it. When it was time for the interviews, I was well prepared. I gave it my all without expecting anything in return. I just wanted to give my best shot and do justice to the calls that I received.
As law of attraction says, when you truly want something and go for it without limiting yourself with disbelief, the entire universe conspires to make it happen. I converted both my calls. This is my story of hope and belief, and how I overcame most the difficult phase of my life.
How is ABG big in my life?
Operating in 35 countries with more than 120,000 employees worldwide, ABG is one of India’s biggest conglomerates. It has a diverse product range of metals, cement (largest in India), viscose filament yarn, branded apparel, carbon black, chemicals, fertilisers, insulators, financial services, telecom, BPO and IT services. It truly adheres to its vision of becoming a premium global conglomerate with a clear focus on each of its businesses.
I remember standing with my grandfather looking at our house under construction when I was eight. That was when I was first introduced to the brand ABG through Ultratech Cement. From that day, ABG has been a part of my journey. Be it using Vodafone to connect to my family, or using brands like Van Heusen, Allen Solly, Peter England and Louis Philippe, or investing money in Aditya Birla Capital, ABG has always been there.
Apart from catering to customers’ needs, ABG also contributes large sums to the nation’s GDP. It’s one of the very few brands in India which takes sustainability seriously. It endeavors to become the leading Indian conglomerate for sustainable business practices across its global operations. That’s evident with initiatives like model village: the Group has earmarked 300 villages for transformation into model villages. Making of a model village entails ensuring self-reliance in all aspects, namely education, healthcare and family welfare, infrastructure, agriculture and watershed management, and working towards sustainable livelihood patterns.
All these services provided by ABG have impacted not only my life but the lives of countless individuals.
