J.R.R. Tolkien in his book, The Fellowship of the Ring, wrote: “The old that is strong does not whither”. This line aptly describes the Aditya Birla Group, which boasts of history so rich that it dates to even before India’s Independence. So many companies have come and gone but the Aditya Birla Group still stands tall.
On one end of the ABG spectrum, we have businesses which deal with non-ferrous metals, cement, carbon black, textiles, fashion, telecom and financial services, and on the other end, we have the ABG's active contribution to the social and economic development of the communities. One doesn’t need to look through a scope to recognize the work that the ABG does. The group runs medical camps and hospitals, operates schools and provides skill training.
Coming to the products, some of them are always before our eyes but we tend to miss them, for example-Ultratech Cement(though it plays an important role in making our home sweet home), while some of the others are clearly visible, for example-the fashion brands which leave an everlasting impression. The Idea network helps us stay in touch with our dear ones whereas the insurance services help us to secure our family’s future in uncertain times. Clearly, the products form the ABG group form an integral part of our day to day life.
Having bought clothes of different brands I have found that the brands from ABG, be it Peter England, Louis Phillipe or Van Heusen are one of the finest, and a Louis Phillipe blazer which is a part of my wardrobe is one of my favourites. I have worn the blazer to several corporate sessions and interviews as well and it has been lucky for me. And as the proverb goes “Clothes make the man”, the fashion brands of ABG do make you a fine one.
Challenges form an important part of one’s life and facing them head-on is very important. One should never shy away from challenges.
“Never give up. Today is hard, tomorrow will be worse, but the day after tomorrow will be sunshine”. These words of Jack Ma, a person who failed multiple times before finding success with Alibaba should resonate with most of us. How can one give up citing reasons that are nowhere close to what people like him have gone through?
Coming to my story, working in general shift for my company meant giving maximum time to the job. I had to be ready for any potential breakdown and at the same time find enough time to study for my MBA exams. My first attempt at CAT got me a meagre 66 percentile. My second attempt was only slightly better. Even a third was not enough to overcome the failure of the previous two. I had faltered thrice but deep down I knew that all was not lost. Taking heart from so many unbelievable success stories, all I wanted was to keep going. It was in my fourth try that the hard work paid off and I was able to reach the bar that I had set for myself. This could not have been possible without the support of my family and friends. Thus, all we need is a bit of inspiration, grit and support to start with on our journey.
As in the words of H.W. Longfellow, “Lives of great men remind us all, we can make our life sublime, and departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time”, let us do our best always.
#SJMSOM, IIT Bombay #ABGLPWooMe