On March 31, 2015 I left full time corporate work …. Today is exactly ten years since I stopped going to an office to work. Ofcourse work continues under other formats, but I no longer have to follow the 9 to 5 routine.
A Partial Snapshot of March 31, 2015 to March 31, 2025 –
- ShikshaDaan has supported over 23,000 students for their higher education or vocational training by disbursing over Rs. 37 crores plus as scholarships.
- ShikshaDaan Yatra has covered 178 districts with a three year break due to the pandemic.
- We have several students who have completed their degree programs and have got into jobs with good organisations.
- Travel outside Bharat – have visited 11 new countries.
- Domestic travel updates – Our driving trips covered close to 1.2 Lakh kilometres. Lost a car in the Chennai floods, got stuck in the hills without power steering, gave away my favourite Black Corolla for scrap after 16 years, got a few speeding tickets, and improved my packing skills even more (I deserve a complementary doctorate in the art of packing).
- Food Discoveries – the best DIY BhelPuri (Top Tip Bhel, Nagpur); the best Bhelpuri made by others (Kalyan Bhel, Pune); the best Shrikhand (Shree Chandra Vijay Patel Ice Cream, Rajkot); the best curds (Hotel Deepali, Sagar, M.P); the best Puran Poli (Varhadi Thaat, Nagpur); the maximum varieties of Holige (Bhaskar’s Mane, Mysuru); The best tender coconut water (Elango at Uzhavar Santhai, Coimbatore)
- The sights that stunned us – Kailash temple at Ellora, Chattrapati Sambhaji Nagar. This should ideally be declared the most unique architectural wonder of the world. A complete temple carved from the top. Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur. Just writing the name gives me goosebumps. Can never forget the first time I looked at the Big Temple. Another architectural wonder. Bateshwar Temples at Morena, near Gwalior…. what ASI has done to put these temples back together is in itself a world wonder. The temples themselves are beyond stunning.
- Temple run – Krishnan and I managed to attend the Ardh Kumbh in 2019, the Mahakumbh in 2025 and get the darshan of Athi Varadar in 2019. I resolved my dispute with Tirupati Balaji and we got HIS darshan in Jan 2023 after 15 years. This decade’s discovery was Peelamedu Anjaneyar temple in Coimbatore. Amazing energy. Ofcourse, nothing compares to Ram Lalla coming back to Ayodhya after 500+ years …. so glad that we got to witness this.
- I discovered handlooms in this decade… and what a weaving heritage Bharat has. Am making up for lost time and learning all that I can about weaves. Ofcourse, all the new sarees that I have bought since 2016 have been handwoven. It’s both a privilege and a huge responsibility that we perpetuate our handloom heritage.
- The nicest people in India that you will meet are in Himachal Pradesh and Coimbatore … this is as of March 2025. We are yet to cover large parts of our country and several states … so this list will grow.
Many near and dear ones were lost during this decade and several well known personalities as well. The pandemic took its share and while it lasted, we felt the world would never be the same. Human beings bounce back and we all are back to watching movies, staying glued to our cellphones and flying everywhere !!
This decade also saw Krishnan and I shifting our telecom loyalty from Vodafone to Jio. A very happy shift :).
The big question – Do I miss the 9 to 5 routine ?
Yes and No. I don’t miss going to office everyday because I left the corporate world when I felt complete. There was nothing that I missed doing in that world. What I do miss is the structure of a working day. Some days the door bell rings more often than I want or like and the interruptions are too many. Still trying to navigate that space.
My friends at work, continue to remain friends. Haven’t lost touch with anyone that I didnt want to. I see many ex-colleagues doing extremely well and feel absolutely thrilled. Some young folks that started their careers with me hiring them into their first jobs, are running big businesses or managing huge divisions with complex operations and its a high to know that in a small way I got them started.
Life is good … I learn something new every single day, I have an opinion on everything and still feel relevant.
Do read – A fist out of water …. After 11.5 years and Quit When You are Complete !
Bindu and Krishnan, I’m reflecting too, but my trajectory has been different. I felt compelled to have the experience of keeping chickens, but lost the last one in early March of this year. Now, I am mourning Speckles, who was born, lived, and died here. He was a trooper over his 14-year life, and I miss him every day. But everything changes over time. The planet Neptune enters the sign of Aries today. A sign of rebirth. What next?
Sorry to hear that Speckles left … it’s always difficult to let go of pets. They are so uncomplicated and without deceit. Am an Arian 😊. So glad to hear about planet Neptune entering Aries today. What next ? Well, Life begins afresh I guess.
I knew you are an Aries, so this transit should keep life interesting for the next 14 years.
Thank you Bindu for being who you are and giving back more than what the world may have offered you.
As one of the fortunate people who had the privilege of having you as a coach for decades now 🙂 I admire your courage to walk away from the limitations of 9 to 5 at the peak of your career in-order to start making every moment of your life make a profound impact to the world around you (@work and beyond) ..Always a fan and a follower !
Regards,
Rohit Malik
Thanks Rohit. You have been a part of the journey probably the longest, from Pizza Corner all the way till I left Aon Hewitt and it means a lot to me. Best wishes always. 🙏
Wow, how time flies! Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing up close the incredible journey you and Krishnan have been on with Shikshadan. I truly admire the way you’ve both poured your hearts into something so meaningful, staying true to your values and dedicating your time to what truly matters. It takes immense courage and conviction to walk this path, and you’ve done it with such grace and purpose. The knowledge and impact you’re spreading is truly inspiring. Wishing you both even more strength and success—more power to you!
Thanks a lot Subbu. You and Tarita have been an integral part of the journey 🙏