Self quarantine is providing me with an opportunity to watch TV and read. Though I must say that I was tempted to do both the aforesaid things when I was busy with my office work. Now that I have been advised to stay away from office work and have ample time for watching TV and reading, my mind is going towards office! Such wicked are ways of life and one cannot really help but go along.

As the title of this blog suggests, we have conditioned our lives in such a way that everything, including happiness, has become conditional. It’s always if preceding then, meaning fulfilment of condition precedent is essential for the aimed happiness. And this if-then syndrome is not only the guiding light for our future actions and outcomes, it also takes us into the pangs of guilt and regret over our past. If I had taken admission to X college, if I had got promotion in 1996 instead of 1997, if my daughter had settled in USA instead of RSA: it’s quite an endless list. And for future, if I get steady income after my retirement, if I keep good health, if I get to pursue decent second innings, if I have absolutely rocking old age: again the list is endless.

While the past is done and the present is just moving ahead, I will make definitive moves to save my future from this if- then syndrome. I want unconditional life, unconditional happiness and perpetual joy that’s not incumbent upon any conditionality. It will entail some serious work, but I am also serious post Corona – life is to be lived regally and unconditionally by staying in present.

If I am still resting my future happiness on the preconditions or specific events, then I will never be able to come out of this vicious circle!

I took extreme care and caution. Stopped going out once the pandemic started. Mainly worked from home. In the extreme circumstances of having to go out, wore mask and maintained social distancing. Avoided crowded places. Drank hot concoctions ( kadah). Drank milk with turmeric. Took vitamins and zinc as supplements. Read somewhere about kalonji and ate black seeds everyday morning. Nursed a Corona patient with utmost care. And just when the world was celebrating abatement of pandemic and successful trial of vaccine, I got infected and tested positive for Corona.

I am no god; in fact , I consider myself to be more ordinary than the ordinary mortals. But the need is to get tested and then follow all the protocols. Many with good immunity might just have unknowingly defeated Corona, but they could be passive carriers. I suggest that anyone having fever or any discomfort of any kind should get herself or himself tested and only then can we defeat Corona and stop it’s transmission.

Is this blog being penned under Covid strain and hence has a pessimistic undertone? On the contrary, I am more resolute now to spread awareness through my articles. Do whatever is required and being suggested by the authorities and doctors. Build immunity and stay safe. But if there are any symptoms, get tested and follow the process. Testing is the key to defeating Corona.

You have physically downed me covid

But my spirits are still high

We have decided to fight together now

Your end is nigh!!!

Long weekend and home quarantine took me to DD Sports channel that is known for broadcasting internal games and events. So between yesterday and today, I discovered some new names – tennis players Arjun Kadhe and Vijay Sundar Prashanth, Table Tennis players Harmeet Desai and Sathiyan etc. I learnt that Beighton cup has been won 7 times by Indian Oil Corporation, while the last year finalist PNB won once in 2015. I was surprised to know that so many rules have changed since I last followed these games. In Table Tennis, a set consists of 11 points, with each player having two services at a time, a big change from 21 points set and 5 services to each player that I knew of. Also, I haven’t seen anything beyond the best of 5 sets, this being the first time that I saw best of 7 final game between Harmeet and Sathiyan. And look at hockey – there’s no bully, no pushes, but only hit ins, long corner is not taken from the corner but from 25 yards line. And instead of 2 halves of 30 minutes each, there are 4 quarters of 15 minutes each. And finally, Indian tennis players have come of age- their services are as strong as international players and the difference seems to have been substantially bridged. Above all, with no sporting events having been hosted in the current pandemic affected year, with the exception of IPL that was recently held in UAE, most of the telecasts are of the games played last year and earlier!

There was a time when I knew by heart the dates of major tournaments – DCM and Durand Cup football, Ranji and Duleep trophy cricket matches, Beighton Cup Hockey and so many tennis, badminton and table tennis tournaments. I would know the position of the teams and players, names of champions as also the records of the teams and players. So much has changed in world of internal sporting scene – new players, new champions, new tournaments and most importantly- new rules ! We just got lost in cricket and more cricket in the form of IPL, forgetting everything else! And probably more so of late in the new forms of entertainment such as satellite channels and Netflix, Amazon Prime et al.

Without sounding preachy, I will now do my best to try and remain in touch with internal sporting events, players, their records and achievements and their proximity to international standards , with the same zeal with which I follow cricket, grand slam tennis tournaments and international soccer. How much more learning is there to be imbibed from Covid Pandemic, I sometimes wonder?

Two things are coming to my mind as I prepare for Diwali pujan. First is the reaction by an old friend of mine to my yesterday Diwali blog, where she has beautifully expressed transition from cleaning house and bursting crackers to realising the real significance of Diwali, which is to clear the internal clutter by reducing negativity within ourselves that will lead to – less anger, less jealousy, less inequality, less division! In times, when we all run for more – wealth, happiness, luxuries, respect, status, the connotation of “ the less is not always bad”, has left me thinking. In this short journey of blog writing, what I have got from my friends and readers outweighs what I might have given, by several hundred times!

Second is the last part of the book that I just finished, where the protagonist exhorts people to adopt a different attitude that’s based on love, compassion and piety. As he says, “ why you always hear – fight a bad habit, fight a vice, fight an enemy, fight your weakness ? Why can’t all these be overcome by pure love?” Actually, the book is about Sufism and Dervishes and their philosophy of pure love and guidance by the heart rather than by mind.

I have been fighting this Covid menace through what I know the best – In my own humble way through my writings and communications. Now that on this Diwali day, I have been tested Covid positive, should I interpret having lost the fight to Covid? (Thought 2) Or should I lament about not having maintained sufficient cleanliness ? ( thought 1). I am thankful to god for letting me celebrate this Diwali with pure love and by taking another step towards decluttering my internal self! I am confident that Corona is now breathing it’s last and with mutual love, understanding, harmony and oneness, we shall make it happen!

Historical significance of Diwali is return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile during which he faced several challenges, but finally people welcomed their favourite Rama by lighting lamps. Symbolically, Diwali represents removal of all obstacles, evils, darkness and problems surrounding us to be stepping into a brightly lit future.

Corona pandemic is one of the biggest challenges that mankind has faced in long long time – probably the first for our generation of post world war 2. In India, virus seems to be weakening and success of vaccine by Pfizer has lifted the spirits.

Let Diwali herald bright and prosperous future for not only our country but the entire world. Let all of us revert to simple joys of life that we took for granted.

We shopped

Till we dropped dead

And burning crackers

Would start a full month ahead

Who cared for diabetes or obesity

There was hardly any weight to be shed

Things have since changed like everything else

But there’s no reason to dread

Won’t burn crackers, eat sweets but wear mask

But spirit of Diwali will be upheld.

A happy, bright, healthy and prosperous Diwali to all if you and your family members!

We have been brought up on fables or more importantly moral stories that were told to us to build our character. We have heard the story of the fox, who was not able to reach grapes hanging up out of her reach and so she solaced herself by presuming the grapes to be sour. We also heard the story of hare and tortoise, where a conceited and smug hare is beaten in the race by a persistent tortoise and we learnt a lesson forever that “ Slow and steady wins the race.” Thanks to the evolution of social media, the imagination of people knows no bounds and we end up by hearing the other side of the story – the Hare’s version. Here is it as told by the Hare to the so called author of this counter fable!

We started the race and in seconds I was miles ahead of the tortoise, who was just crawling. I decided to rest under the shade of a tree. With the cool breeze blowing, I couldn’t resist the temptation of a nap. In my dreams, I met an old man with a flowing beard, sitting on a rock in a meditative pose. He opened his eyes, gave me an all-knowing smile and asked:

“Who are you?”

“I am a hare. I am running a race.”

“Why?”

“To prove to all the creatures in the jungle that I am the fastest.”

“Why do you want to prove that you are the fastest?”

“So that I get a medal which will give me status which will give me money which will get me food…”

“There is already so much food around.” He pointed to the forest in the distance. “Look at all those trees laden with fruits and nuts, all those leafy branches”

“I also want respect. I want to be remembered as the fastest hare who ever lived.”

“Do you know the name of the fastest deer or the largest elephant or the strongest lion who lived a thousand years before you?”

“No.”

“Today you have been challenged by a tortoise.

Tomorrow, it will be a snake.

Then it will be a zebra.

Will you keep racing all your life to prove that you are the fastest?”

“Hmm. I didn’t think about it.

I don’t want to race all my life.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I want to sleep under a banyan tree on a makeshift pillow while the leaves rustle and the bees buzz.

I want to hop over the meadows near the hills and swim in the pond.”

“You can do all these things this very moment.

Forget the race.

You are here today but you will be gone tomorrow.”

I woke up from my sleep.

The ducks in the pond looked happy.

I jumped into the pond, startling them for a moment.

They looked at me quizzically.

“Weren’t you supposed to be racing with the tortoise today?”

“It’s pointless.

An exercise in futility.

All I want is to be here.

Hopefully, someday, someone will tell the world my story – That I lost the race but got back my life

I found the Hare’s version to be as inspiring as the Tortoise’s version that was always taught to us. In fact, in today’s milieu when everyone is in a mad rush to achieve more – success, money, happiness, materials- Hare’s version to my mind seems to be more relevant, a learning re-emphasised by the ongoing Covid pandemic that has forced us to rethink the way we have so far lived our lives.

I also read somewhere – “ Even if you win a rat race, you are still a rat “ – which in a way is another endorsement Hare’s version. While let us continue with teaching Tortoise’s version in primary schools so that children understand the virtues of being slow and steady rather than being over confident and smug, those past their childhood should also read Hare’s version.

In our office building, in the common passageway on each floor, the significance of the number representing that floor is explained in detail. It makes for an interesting reading and is quite informative.

The book that I am currently reading is a complex book, where two stories, one relating to 13th Century and the other to 21st century are running as parallel tracks. In the 21st Century track, there’s an email exchange between the two protagonists. In her email, the female protagonist shares her feelings on having turned 40. She goes on to say, “ They say turning 40 is a defining moment, especially for women. 40 is new 30 and 60 is new 40. But for me 40 is 40 characterised by start of grey and wrinkles.” The male protagonist replies, “ 40 is the most beautiful age for both men and women. In mystic thought, 40 symbolises ascent from one level to a higher level and spiritual awakening. When we mourn, we mourn for 40 days. When a baby is born, it takes him 40 days to start life on earth. And when we are in love, we need to wait for 40 days to be sure of our feelings. The flood of Noah lasted 40 days and while the waters destroyed life, they also washed all impurity away and enabled human beings to make a fresh start. In Islamic mysticism, there are 40 degrees between man and god. Likewise, there are 4 basic stages of consciousness and 10 degrees in each, making 40 levels in total. Jesus went into wilderness for 40 days and nights. Muhammad was 40 years old when he received the call to become a prophet. Budha meditated under Linden tree for 40 days. Not to mention 40 rules of Shams.”

He adds further, “ You receive a new mission at 40, a new lease of life! You have reached a most auspicious number. Congratulations! And don’t worry about getting old. There are no wrinkles or grey hair strong enough to defy the power of 40!”

Readers must be wondering the context of all this. This is dedicated to a very special person who turns this special number that’s 40 on 7th November. She calls me Dada, though it’s she who’s worthy of all my respect and blessings!

While the readers can enjoy the blog and guess as to who this person could be, the protagonist will know that this blog is on her and for her!

In Hindi, an ode to anyone is generally called “Nama.” Also, normally an ode is paid after the person or event comes to end. Hopefully, this ode to Corona will also herald the end of the pandemic.

It was peaceful, it was quiet,

Days were bright, peaceful were nights.

Roads were busy, markets were brisk,

It was all safe and normal, there was no risk.

People would go to office and children to school,

Everyone was busy yet things were cool.

And then struck lightning, call it Corona or covid

It shocked the humanity like a monster most livid.

Schools were shut, shops were closed,

People were locked inside, life was frozen cold!

Virus killed people, up went daily toll,

Old and weak fell like nine pins, life became a loll

Jobs were lost, immigrants were stranded

People ran helter-skelter, for pandemic had landed!

Gone were happy days, freewheeling spirit of yore,

People feared Corona for it had no cure!

Cure is on its way, so is vaccine,

Lockdown is easing, hope is in the offing.

Man has learned lesson, understood that life is fragile,

Only goodness matters, rest all is futile!

I am delayed in penning my thoughts about 31st October by 2 days as today we are already on 2nd November.

I clearly recall the October of 1984. I had turned professional a few months ago and was looking forward to enjoying my first Diwali as a professional as that gave me some handle on additional money to spend. A South Indian colleague of mine had invited for Diwali brunch at his home and I had a hearty meal of South Indian delicacies – dosa, idli, vada, uttapam finally washed down by a steaming hot cup of filter coffee. Diwali was rather early in the last week of October.

And then the tragedy took place. Mrs Gandhi was shot by her trusted security guards and she was fighting a losing battle in AIIMS. Incidentally, my residence at that time was quite close to AIIMS, about 2 kilometres away. While the rumours were having a field day, it was not before evening that the news came that Mrs Gandhi was dead. And there was palpable tension everywhere. We could see discomfort all round and the first of rioting seemed rather understated and harmless with rioters asking people to stay indoors and not to come out on roads. But as the evening progressed, the news of anti Sikhs rioting started spreading all over. Ours being a sedate, cosmopolitan, government employees’ colony was calm and we all ensured that Sikh families were saved from the wrath and rage of rioters. Of course, how this spread like wild fire everywhere resulting in death of thousands of innocent and damage to the property is all encapsulated in the dark chapter of the history of our nation.

There had been riots before, but not on such a scale and of such ferocity. In fact, those who had seen the woes of partition termed these riots as the next worst thing. It’s a matter of gratitude to the almighty that the nation has since moved on from that dark phase, burying the memories of the tragedy forever by embracing the brave snd hard working Sikh community back into the national mainstream. And it’s back to same Hindu Sikh bonhomie that makes the two communities almost like one, while retaining their distinct identities.

This 31st October added another bad news into its repertoire as the first and original silver screen James Bond, Sean Connery, died at the ripe old age of 90. His persona, demeanour and portrayal of Ian Fleming’s flamboyant spy remained unmatched with repeated surveys voting him to be the best Bond ahead of Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. His delivery of the catch line – “ My name is Bond – James Bond” remains immortal.

RIP Sean Connery.

An important event in the Indian banking industry missed the fanfare and coverage that it merited. Aditya Puri, MD & CEO of HDFC Bank, one of the world’s most valuable companies, retired after an uninterrupted run of 26 years, a record of sorts.

He was heading Citibank Malaysia, when he was chosen to head this new generation private sector bank promoted primarily by HDFC. Though not on records, foresight and judgment of the doyen of the financial sector Deepak Parekh cannot be underplayed, who betted on this young foreign banker. And Aditya let down no one – HDFC, it’s other promoters, investors, including foreign institutional investors, customers, regulators, share market and above all Deepak Parekh himself, who must have been as satisfied a person as Aditya Puri himself would be.

Being in a peer new generation private sector, who also started his journey in this space around same time, I had the privilege of seeing HDFC Bank’s great strides under Aditya Puri from a close quarter. The Bank was all along growing well organically while keeping its eyes open for acquisition opportunities and in fact, acquired two peers – Times Bank first and then Centurion Bank of Punjab that itself had earlier merged Bank of Punjab into itself. This helped the Bank leave behind its other peers, becoming the second largest bank in the country behind the behemoth , SBI.

And the story is not all about growth and valuation. Acquiring numero uno position in almost all product segments, particularly by dislodging foreign banks in credit cards space, adds much sheen to the story. And behind all this was a rock solid Aditya Puri, in complete command and control.

His dislike for mobile and computer, need to ensure work life balance, cutting wasteful expenditure notwithstanding comfortable operating margins are the stuff folklores are made of and these things will be the topic for brainstorming in financial circles for long long time.

I had the opportunity of having his audience for a few moments aboard an international flight. While I was returning along with other colleagues from an official event held in Europe, Mr Puri was with his family returning after watching World Cup soccer final. The unassuming man was happy to see a large team from a peer organisation and wished all of us well. He came forth as an unassuming, simple and accessible person, who had taken all the success and fame in his stride.

While his successor will be stepping into his very large shoes, Mr Puri has set a benchmark for all future CEOs for such a heady mix of a strategist, administrator, leader, visionary and above all a fine human being all rolled into one is rare and extraordinary.

Have a great next innings sir! You deserve all that wealth, recognition, respect – such edifices of excellence right from a scratch don’t get built every day.