Whenever we think about the history of India post-independence, we ought to consider the role of government in building the foundation of it. But deep down, we all appreciate the contribution of mammoth industry honchos and Aditya Birla Group is one of them. With a legacy of more than 162 years, its almost impossible to not to encounter with any one of the Birla's product once.
Coming to my story, I was born in a home built by Ultra Tech cement. This is still the most trusted brand since its inception in 1983.
While in school, my mother used to wrap my food in aluminium foil, which I later got to know that it was an Aditya Birla's product under the Hindalco brand. At that time, taking the food in aluminium foil was a luxury for us and ABG gave it to us.
Then the era of mobile phones made its way to India and my cousin uncle bought the first mobile of our clan. It brought pride as well the happiness along with it and guess what, it had idea network in it.
After college, I gifted my father his first branded shirt from Peter England and he still has it with him.
So, to conclude, ABG's product has touched our lives in some way or the other. Maybe the road you are walking on with your loved ones has ABG's contribution or the food you are enjoying with the family has come from farms fertilized by 'Birla Balwan' or someone is being treated with utmost care at Birla hospital.
Hope: A tool to overcome struggles and hardships
Being from a humble farming background, I was the second graduate of my clan. My father is in the dairy business and my home's aura was far from the educational discussions. To be honest, I didn't think of coming to the prestigious IIM hood. My earlier goals were simply getting a bachelor's degree and get into a company. But as it is said by Alice Sebold, "Sometimes the dreams that come true are the dreams you never even knew you had.”
But let's get back to my early life to get a glimpse of it. My mother was married at the age of sixteen and left her education. But this did not deprive her of knowing the importance of education. She has had seen my father's struggle and wanted me and my elder brother to overcome it.
I completed my primary education from M.P. state board with merely 30 students in my class. Then one of my father's customer suggested him to shift me to CBSE board. My tuition teacher said I won't be able to clear the entrance exam of prestigious convent school of Indore, "St Paul H. S. School" which has a legacy of 58 years. But surprised by many, I did clear the exam.
After my higher secondary, I joined an engineering college in my hometown and got to know about the CAT exam. And after three attempts, I finally cleared the CAT as well as IIM-N interview. So it might seem a simple story of an average guy coming to IIM, but is coming from a background like mine, its a lifetime achievement for my family and me.
