2013 draws to a close. It has been a year of non-stop action and has gone very fast. It has required significant effort on multiple fronts. However, as I sit down to reflect on the year I feel very satisfied. There is so much to be grateful for this year. I thought I would pen down some things I should be thankful to 2013 for and also give shape to my hopes and aspirations for 2014.
Some happy memories from 2013
2013 was a nice, balanced year for me. There was a lot of activity on the work front, but at the same time was able to make progress on other areas of life that are important for me. There are 6 happy memories I leave 2013 with:
- Impact at work. I juggled multiple balls this year and was able to keep them afloat quite well. In addition to my role being the India Country Head, I also took a new responsibility to build Strategy & Planning capabilities for our company. I feel good that in a short time this new capability has become very relevant for the senior management and is making a real difference to company’s strategy and performance management. At the same time, our India office saw unprecedented growth. We were able to raise the profile of the office with the senior management, strengthen belief and enthusiasm within our people and push the boundaries of value delivered by the office. In addition, I took responsibility for our operations in Tunisia, visited that beautiful country multiple times, and grew to appreciate a new culture. At times the intensity, the travelling and the multi-tasking at work felt too much. I am very thankful that I was able to manage and fulfil all the responsibilities I had taken on this year.
- Progress in NASSCOM initiatives. I took on the role of Chair of the NASSCOM Regional Council (NRC) for Haryana in early 2013. While I had been actively involved with NASSCOM for the past 3 years, setting up the forum for Global In-house Centres and as Co-Chair of NRC, this role presented a different challenge. We started thinking about the role of industry as a good citizen. Towards this we engaged actively on facilitating sustainable transportation in Gurgaon. Instead of just waiting for government intervention on infrastructure we started focussing on raising awareness and demand for walking, cycling and use of public transportation. While we are still far from sustainable impact, efforts this year were a great lesson in driving change at a grassroots level.
- Staying in Gurgaon. I have stayed at my family house in Ashok Vihar (in North Delhi) for forty years. We made the big move to Gurgaon last year. Initially, I was somewhat apprehensive about the move. However, I have come to really like Gurgaon. I find that people are generally positive and friendly. Gurgaon as a city might be lacking in infrastructure but the citizens have more civic consciousness and action orientation than what I had seen in Delhi. Very importantly, schools are good and my children have adjusted well. Finally, the fact that my office is less than 10 mins away from home has helped improve my lifestyle dramatically. Delhi to Gurgaon has been one of the biggest changes I have made in life. It has taught me that one needs to go beyond one’s dogmas and that Change can be good!!
- Family Vacations. We had more than our fill of vacations in 2013. We started the year with a relaxing 2 weeks in Singapore & Bali. We then spent our summer vacations in the US criss-crossing from West Coast to Mid-West and then to the East Coast, spending some lovely time with family who were there in all those places. In December, we did short trips to Mumbai, Pondicherry, Dehradun and finally to Jaipur for the New Year. I find that more senior and complex your job becomes, more necessary it becomes to take holiday breaks. I feel very fortunate that I had some great opportunities this year to spend time with family and re-charge batteries in the midst of a very hectic work schedule. I hope I continue to get similar opportunities in 2014!!
- Playing Squash. In 2013 I started playing squash more regularly and seriously than what I have ever done before, thanks to the move to Gurgaon and that there is a squash court a minute away from my apartment. I participated in my first Squash tournament and then joined a league. Along the way I started taking squash coaching lessons. I might not have been able to raise my game yet, but I feel very happy that I have been able to play regularly. It is not just a great stress-buster and fitness routine; but, has brought more discipline to life, and most importantly the thrill of learning and challenging oneself.
- Turning Vegetarian. I have been a passionate meat lover throughout my life. In 2013 I left meat and chicken though I still have eggs, fish and sea food. This was a very significant change for me and one that I was able to make with surprisingly little stress. I feel very good that I made this change and was able to persist through it calmly. It has helped me lose some weight and I feel lighter and healthier.
Hopes for 2014
It is presumptive to assume that one can control outcomes. However, human aspiration and endeavour is important. As 2014 dawns on us, I want to set 4 hopes of myself for the coming year:
- Learning more about Indian Philosophy. I have a fascination for Indian philosophy, culture and religion. I was fortunate to have read works of Swami Vivekananda and The Gita at a young age, and that left a deep imprint on my mind. I have a strong belief that understanding and appreciation of Indian philosophy is one of the necessary foundations for our country’s growth. However, there is also a realization that our civilization has been in decline for 1000 years, so clearly there are many areas where we went wrong and other civilizations have done much better. I feel blessed that I have exposure to both worlds – education and professional life that is very Western while still having a strong Indian ethos. Therefore, I feel that I have something unique to contribute here. I would like to synthesize insights from Indian philosophy and make them relevant for the 21st century such that it can help educate and inspire millions of young Indians. This is one of the major passions of my life. Towards this, in 2014 I hope to deepen my understanding of Indian Philosophy through reading and discussions with experts so I can make concrete progress towards my vision.
- Practicing Silence. Incessant activity in today’s fast paced world and continuous stimuli from multiple digital sources can numb us. Often life feels like sleepwalking where you are continually moving from one act of the drama to the other without even thinking about it. Deep silence is necessary to retain balance amidst the cacophony of our lives. Silence gives us perspective and is the path to raising consciousness. In 2014 I hope I am able to practice Pranayam, Sudarshan Kriya and Meditation more regularly. These are my means of getting to silence. I feel if I am able to do that I will find more easily the balance and broader consciousness I seek in life.
- Involvement in a social cause. I have been conscious for a while of the need to go beyond self and to focus on giving not getting. Over the past years I have been able to make some progress towards this. I have certainly been able to expand my circle of consciousness to my colleagues/company and over recent years to the industry. I need to continue progressing on that path. I hope to get involved and contribute (along with my family) towards a social cause in 2014. Praying that we find the right opportunity!!
- Health & Fitness. I took some good steps towards improving my health in 2013 by giving up non-veg and being regular in Squash. I also started jogging and ran my first half-marathon. I hope I can build on this momentum in 2014. I want to run more regularly and improve my stamina. I also hope to be more regular in Yoga and improve flexibility.
As I finish this my last note of the year, it leaves me with a feeling of happiness and gratefulness. 2013 has been a very kind year and there is so much to look forward to in 2014.
Hoping that the New Year brings happiness, peace and prosperity to all of us. All the best!!
