The Aditya Birla group has touched the lives of millions of people across the globe. The conglomerate is
present across 34 countries among 42 nationalities and is active across 14 major industrial sectors. In
the cement industry, its flagship product UltraTech cement has a made a name for its superior quality
and was used to build Mumbai’s Bandra-Worli sealink. Every second tire produced across the globe now
contains Birla Carbon. Vodafone and Idea have connected billions of lives. Birla Copper has contributed
to the India legacy known as India Railways and is major supplier of their copper requirements. The
group has multiple centers of excellence in the field of research and development. Through cutting edge
technology and state of the art innovations, the group has increased efficiency and is taking responsible
steps as a sustainable business. Their game changing corporate social responsibility initiatives have
created a long lasting impact. The group through its sustainability initiatives is contributing to the
welfare of the human kind and planet as a whole.
In introspection, the conglomerate’s association with my life is nothing less. I live in a house that is made
of UltraTech cement. Whether it is my birthday, my parent’s anniversary or our favourite occasion of
Durga Puja we shop at Pantaloons. Pantaloons is not just a brand now, it is a part of my family, a friend
on whom we rely for our aesthetic needs. More has become an inseparable part of our kitchen. In
summary the group has created significant impact on my life and the greater society through its mission
of benefitting stakeholders across the value-chain and the society in general.
Life is a journey with its own ups and downs. During the second year of engineering degree, in my
introspection I realized the power of well rounded growth. I noticed the absence of entrepreneurial
culture in my college. After taking permission from our principal, I started my college’s entrepreneurship
cell. I was fortunate to receive full support from my faculties and college administration. However my
college was 60 kms away from the main city which is Kolkata and the only connectivity was via local
trains or cars. I started by visiting classes and talking to people in my college to spread awareness. I was
an introvert and not many people knew me. I overcame my fear of speaking to new people. I started
attending entrepreneurship related events at Kolkata and met entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel
investors and many other big personalities. These interactions helped me build my network and boost
my confidence. The time was ripe. With the help and support of college administration, I made plans
and budgets for year round activities which were approved by the State Government Authority. We
started hosting seminar, trainings and interactions. My college has a thriving e-cell now well-known
across the nation.
After graduating from my college, I joined a well reputed multinational IT organization and started
preparing for CAT. I was working in a challenging project where the primary resource had left the
organization. While I handled issues from offshore, I was liaising with support and onshore that required
me stay at office for almost 12 hours, on a daily basis, which was well above the time I was paid for. It
was a clear setback from the point of view of my MBA preparation. I made plans. I would give my unit
tests and sectional tests while commuting to office and analyze them while commuting back. Upon
reaching home, after dinner, I would practice or attempt a full mock exam. On weekends I would be fully
engrossed in my CAT preparation. My efforts brought my success. I cracked CAT with flying colors.
Dedication and determination has always helped me to progress during challenges and hard times in my
life. HUSTLE ON!
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