My fondest memory of school days involves me and my best friend sitting in one of the back benches in the classroom, being too impatient for the lunch break bell to go off. We would take our lunch boxes out; unwrap the delicious home-made parathas wrapped in Freshwrapp and steal a few bites evading our teacher’s attention. Of course, we would get caught instantly, as the fragrance of the still hot and fresh parathas (preserved by Freshwrapp) would spread throughout the classroom.
I view ABG as not only an integral part of my life but also as a symbol of India’s growing economic clout. It is a source of great pride that one of India’s historical business powerhouses has not only evolved with times but has also grown to spread it’s reach to 35 countries.
Founded in 1857, the group has evolved with time and has passed several tough phases including a period of policy volatility post-independence. But it persevered and today it stands as one of India’s biggest conglomerates. This journey has inspired several people including me that during the tough phases in your life, give it your all and persevere through it.
While I was still in the second year of my engineering, my father passed away. Being a naïve, inexperienced and soft-spoken student, I was completely unprepared and overwhelmed by the barrage of duties and responsibilities that came my way. The onus to manage my father’s business, which was our only source of income at the time fell to me. Apart from the burden of the added responsibilities, this time was an emotional shock for my young self as well. But I couldn’t succumb to the pressure as there were too many love ones depending on me to step up. So, I worked hard, learnt to manage my time optimally and learnt quickly the nuances of managing work. But the hard part was yet to come. I did not want to give up my education and dream. I had worked hard to get into one of the country’s finest engineering college and I wanted to make the most of it. So, I worked harder than ever before, and did not let life derail what I wanted to do. I persevered and finally in 2016 passed my engineering exams with distinction. This phase of my life gave me certain learnings, which I believe will stay with me for the rest of my life. No matter how hard life gets, work through it, because highs and lows are a part of it all and every phase, no matter how good or hard it may seem, is temporary.
Throughout my life ABG has been with me every step of the way. When I think about my earliest memories of ABG, I think of the time my father bought his first cell phone, in the summer of 2003; A time when landlines were still the norm and cellphones were far and few. My father had an Idea sim card and his mobile number till this day continues to be operational. These fifteen plus years of amazing service is, what has created fierce loyalty within my family for the brand, which I believe will last a long time. This is the kind of role ABG has played in my life – personal, loyal and one that will last generations.
From my childhood to my school days to my much less colorful workdays, ABG has been there for me. Fresh out of engineering, as I was waiting to start my first days as a working professional, who else but ABG came to my rescue. Van Heusen formal shirts and pants paved way for me to transition from a student to a working professional.
As I sit in my hostel room, writing about how ABG has been a part of my life, I cannot help but think of the time when our house was being constructed and how, the only cement brand my parents trusted was UltraTech or how as I stare at the wardrobe in my hostel room I see my trusted, suave and stylish Park Avenue suit which has been the mainstay of my journey to my dream B-school. The list goes on.
As I begin the next phase of my life, I believe ABG will continue to play an inspiring role in my life.