What is big?
It’s a state of mind, it’s a perspective, it’s a feeling of accomplishment or denial
Why does everyone keep telling us Dream Big, Think Big, you’ll surely make it if you look at the bigger picture. As for me, I think that it’s the little details that are vital. Its these little things that make Big things happen.
Since inception in the pre-independence era till today, Aditya Birla Group with its values and mission continues to touch and improve lives worldwide. From Mr Ghanshyam Das Birla, the founding father playing a role in the Indian freedom struggle, representing India at the first and second round-table conferences in London, along with Gandhiji. It was at Birla House in Delhi that the luminaries of the Indian freedom struggle often met to plot the downfall of the British Raj, to the baton being taken forward by Mr. Aditya Vikram Birla, the Group's legendary leader, continuing to serve towards the country’s progress and impacting lives daily.
From uneven routes to world class infrastructure and roads, ABG through Ultratech is here to build a strong foundation. Commuting from one part of the city to another daily and enduring the traffic woes with time running out, the Bandra Worli sea-link is a solace to millions of people in the city including me.
Talking about commuting, India Railways, the lifeline of this city, where I have some of my fondest memories, strangest stories and life long learnings. With ABG and Birla Copper fulfilling requirements and fuelling not only our trains but our dreams as well.
Disappearing distances and bringing people together, Vodafone Idea limited and its unparallel network services have made life easier. My mom is no longer worried as to where I am or why am I late, my father can share the lamest jokes and I can have hours of gossip sessions with my best friends and who says you cant share your adventures sitting in Ladakh with your friends down in Bombay.
When I started my MBA, I was always conscious about my wardrobe, my attire which had a significant impact on my confidence. But with Aditya Birla Fashion and its versatile and for all feel of style statement, it brought a major change in the way I dress and carry myself.
Like I said, it’s the little things that make a big difference and that’s what ABG has been doing since 1857.
About 3 years ago, I started feeling like something just wasn’t right. It started with a few bad days at first, but quickly became a permanent state. I wasn’t sure if anyone would take me seriously. but I was sad and gloomy all the time, that I eventually tried to tell my friends and family. Because I was only 18 back then, most people dismissed it as a ‘phase’ or something ‘puberty related’, but with time, I kept getting worse.
I used to stay indoors for weeks at a time and it started getting more difficult for me to socialize. It was as if a dark cloud was constantly looming over me, and just getting up in the morning felt like an impossible task , I started getting thoughts of harming myself.
In January of this year, during a particularly bad night, I snapped. I knew I couldn’t go on for even one more day feeling like that and I decided to do something about it.
I made an appointment with a psychiatrist and took my mother along with me. The doctor diagnosed me with social anxiety and depression— I finally had an answer and knew I wasn’t crazy— I had a problem and that was okay.
I started my medication and once I accepted myself and focused on my healing— amazing things happened. I began to smile and love every part of my life — the good and the bad. In the process I met my best friend. We spoke about our lives and the universe, and it was just perfect. He knew about my mental health and instead of feeling embarrassed like I used to — I spoke about how proud I was of myself — and that’s when the big change happened. Once you accept yourself, the world has no choice but to accept you too. He’s helped me get here — he’s made me feel special in small but solid ways — like getting me my favourite flowers or just saying things like ‘I’m proud of you’. He’s not my whole world, he’s a part of it, but I’m happier than I’ve ever been in the last few years.
That one night in January changed everything, the second I decided to help myself, things just started getting better. Next week, I’m having a therapy session with my mother — I know that it will bring us closer together. The rest of my family are still coming to terms with my depression, but I’m hopeful that they will accept it soon enough.
The most important thing I want to say is that the first person to help YOU is always YOU. It’s okay to not be okay and to seek help.
I recently read a poem I’d written during the darker days; a poem about suicide and I can’t believe that was me. I’ve come such a long way and I’m so proud of myself.
That even though I paused and had a low phase, the sentence isn’t over…life isn’t over.
#NMIMSMumbai #ABGLPWooMe