“The only constant in life is change” - Heraclitus
The ever-present need to keep ourselves relevant in our evolving world is a difficult task. One must rise to the occasion or the world will leave you behind. But sometimes in our endeavour, we forget the things that we leave behind. Our roots and values that used to define us change, our priorities change, the things we considered as part of our identity gets eroded away with time.
I come from a Bengali family in Kolkata - The City of Joy, The City with a Soul. I have spent my entire life, growing up, studying and working in this city. So, when the time came for me to make a career move, it was difficult for me. But it was something that had to be done. I had to leave the comfort of my home and travel to Gurgaon where a new and exciting chapter of my life would unfold. Although this opportunity was priceless, I was daunted by the fact that I might lose what I hold precious - the familiar sights and sounds of my hometown and the biggest festival of Bengal - Durgapujo.
My earliest memory of association with Aditya Birla Group is that of visiting the Gariahat Pantaloons as a child. When it was about two weeks left of festivities to begin, my parents would take my sister and me shopping for new clothes. We would run into the mall as soon as we alighted from the bus, and start looking for all the new and trendy clothes on display. Gariahat Pantaloons has one of the best collections of affordable fashion in the city and people throng this place in huge numbers. The excitement of the crowd is symbolic of the festival to come - a time of happiness, a time of opulence, a time to be alive. I remember myself being spoilt for choices in all the denim and t-shirts available and nagging my mother to buy me a plethora of them. She overruled of course.
Before leaving Kolkata, I visited Gariahat Pantaloons with my mother one last time. Not for Pujo shopping, but looking for formal shirts and trousers. It was time for a change. It was time to be presentable, to be professional. My father's go-to brand was Peter England, and I kept the tradition. A pastel turquoise and a white shirt, comfortable as well as professional. When I tried them on, I saw the look of approval on my mother's face. I knew that I was ready.
It has been a month at MDI Gurgaon. New friends, teachers, club activities and studies have done their best to keep me occupied. The rigorous routine leaves no room for error and being a professional is absolutely essential in every sphere of this life. The bustling life is a rush of camaraderie and competition. But when it finally winds down and I am about to sign off for the day, a feeling of homesickness strikes and I long to hear the voice of my mother and sister back at home. I pick my phone and sure as always, I get a full signal thanks to Vodafone - Idea's cellular coverage. The voice of my mother asking about my studies and my sister telling all about her day at school put my mind at rest. I retire for the night with the assurance of my family being just a phone call away.
Life at a premier B-School is highly rewarding and the challenges are proportional to the rewards. All we need are the little incentives and support of our near and dear ones to keep us motivated every day. Thank you, Aditya Birla Group, for being the support in my life, for being the constant in my change.
