When one talks about the biggest companies in Asia, which have impacted people’s lives, Aditya Birla Group’s name features amongst the top few. I have been a customer of ABG pretty much ever since I was born and so is it true for each and every 1.5 crore Indian citizen who has been a customer of ABG’s products in more ways, without even realizing the significant role this company has played in shaping the past, securing the present and building the future for this nation. The high emphasis that ABG lays on the quality of its offering and its products is justified by how significantly each product stands out on its own and has its own brand value.
In addition to the products that ABG produces and retails in, ABG is also BIG on Smiles by having one of the most respected and positively impacting CSR footprints. Knowing that in today’s day and age of cut-throat competition, there is an organisation reaching out to 7.5 million people, supporting them, educating them, providing infrastructure to them and healthcare services, makes me feel proud of even getting an opportunity to be associated with such a company.
Consider this: I have an interview with Aditya Birla Group scheduled. I know, cracking the interview will define my life and help me get into the BIG league. It is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. I choose to wear a crisp formal office suit, recently bought from VAN HEUSEN, accompanied by a bag from PANTALOONS. I board the cab and set out to pursue my dream job. Few minutes into the journey takes me on to the massive Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Rush-hours mean there is an endless queue of vehicles lined up on the bridge, which prompts me to think how ULTRATECH CEMENT plays a huge role in reposing the trust that everything is safe. I call the recruiter to reconfirm my venue location and am met by a very helpful appealing voice. This makes me realize that though distances are huge, the IDEA network makes it all possible. As the cab pulls off the bridge and I close the call, the vehicle jolts and comes to a screeching halt. I realise it was to avoid an accident made only possible by the BIRLA CARBON in the tyres which ended up saving our lives. I get off the cab and rush to the local train station when, unfortunately, my phone slips from my hand. Anticipating a crack on the screen, I pick up the phone, but it is saved from any damage- I suspect it must be the HINDALCO ALUMINIUM of the glass cover. Catching the first train from the station, I rest my head on the compartment door and am then overcome by a stark realization that no matter how stressful the day has been for me personally, it has been made better through the support of Aditya Birla Group’s products. With this re-enforced sense of trust, I smile looking forward to the interview ahead, not realizing that all this while the BIRLA COPPER door on which my head is rested, can also be a source of comfort.
This excerpt here clearly portrays my desire to be a part of this BIG conglomerate.
B.You can write on anything that brings out the uniqueness of your story - what odds and challenges you faced to achieve your ambitions and how you overcame it. This is to test your ability to make an impact despite the odds.
The Chairman, Mr Kumar Mangalam Birla is quoted to have said, “Our values provide us with our roots, and they provide us with our wings”. Much like the POWER OF 5 that define what Aditya Birla Group and its employees stand for, I too swear by 3 mantras that are the central core of the person, I am today, each of these are derived from my journey so far and each of these contribute to the positive impact I strive to have on people, work and society.
1. Failure is inevitable, it’s your attitude that matters – While growing up, the monetary situations at home were tough. There used to be no electricity for hours at length because we couldn’t pay the bills. There was an impetus to do well in studies, however, there was no direction and path highlighted to achieve those goals. The lack of support would result in me getting worried and feeling lost. At that tender age, I made a clear choice, instead of being a victim of my adversities, I decided to use that as a motivating factor. I comforted myself by iterating that even though the situations were tough, they couldn’t get much worse. Once one accepts the challenges, one’s brain automatically searches for problems to help solve those challenges. To cope with certain subjects, I reached out to my friend’s mother who was a tuition teacher, to educate me whenever she had time. I would try to solve most of my doubts in school, raising my hand to ask as many questions as possible. As my scores improved, I got even more motivated. The result was that I was awarded the Top 1% academic performers in the State. I learnt at a young age the importance of being resilient. I face set-backs even now, but the only way forward is by adapting to tough situations.
2. There is no substitute for hard work and there is no sense in doing anything halfheartedly. I come from humble beginnings. I have witnessed my father who despite not being able to secure a sound higher-education himself, ensured through his determination, sacrifices and awareness that his children study from the best school in town. Having him as a role model, taught me that it is essential to make use of the opportunities at hand and turn them into successes by following a disciplined work ethic. I ensure that whatever my tasks are - whether at university or at work or while carrying out philanthropic activities or pursing extra-curricular, I do it with a hundred- percent dedication. That’s the reason in the recent past I have been able to achieve rewards such as – Silver Medal on university Level for EEE and Extra Miler award at VATechWABAG for my ability to shoulder responsibilities, perseverance and ability to solve tasks to give effective outcomes.
3. Urge to have a Positive Social Impact - For me, it is important to make my life meaningful today and tomorrow. Sustainability and upliftment of the underprivileged are two key fields in which I have contributed in the past and aim to contribute to positively in the future. I have always extended my help by teaching and supporting the underprivileged children in Chennai and the local areas through initiatives like CRY (Child Rights for You). Another issue which has troubled me is the alarming rate at which environmental degradation has risen, especially in Developing Countries. We are the first generation to witness the impacts of environmental abuse first hand and the last generation that can save it. Having studied in Chennai and having witnessed the two extremes of water mismanagement, the drying up of all 4 reservoirs that provide drinking water
to the city on one hand and flooding of the city in monsoon rains in 2014 and 2015, it became an interest of mine to work in a water treatment and recycling company in the region to witness and contribute in my own way to how one can help manage this situation. I have worked diligently for two years, trying to understand the prevalent issues around me, and how we collectively as a force can bring change. I want to make a more significant contribution to other areas of industries and what better place to do that than at Aditya Birla Group which champions sustainability and CSR in multiple sectors.
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