April 2020 to March 2021 : Look back to Forge ahead

Prologue Feb-Mar 20

Lots of travel, including to a new location and cancellation of a planned group pilgrimage – that was what Feb-Mar 20 meant to me. Including a snatched trip to Assam in the week ending 20th March 20, my thoughts were more Financial Market oriented. Travelling back to Bengaluru by a near empty flight (I was one of 5% occupants in one such service) and watching videos of a near-empty Howrah station, were new. But not registering! A few offices in Bengaluru were announcing WFH even in Feb-20, but “those MNCs” were the thoughts amongst “us desis”. 

In Feb-20, Shaheen Bagh riots at Delhi, with a backdrop of a US President visit and a private bank rescue by a PSU, with the domestic currency weakening, added to the awareness of seafood markets in Wuhan – these were the news tickers. Even as the (Hyderabad) college student in the family reported “We have been asked to vacate the hostel by March 16th”. The elder-born doubtfully proclaimed that he might have to be isolated “Since the mall (Chennai) we partied at has been identified as a hot spot”. The tell-tale signs were there, not yet grim. 

One stock market plummet on March 23rd 2020, and a lock-down announcement later. Life will be the same, one day, I reasoned. “In Dec 20, we will be back on track – in fact we might wonder about what really happened” proclaimed one friend. 

2020-21 : A year with multiple slices

Frenzied WFH during the next 3 weeks – continuous calls to different stakeholders, launch of a mandated policy initiative and, in general, spreading comfort to different teams. Until office functioning resumed from April 15th. Four hour days and walk to work, in Koramangala, was common. Meetings and time lines were held on a need-to-complete basis. The regulator (we are BFSI!) reigned in his flock supreme and everyone toed the line. Financial Year 2019-20 was closed over the network, by e-mail and voice confirmation. 

May 20 monsoons saw Nisarga in the West Coast and Amphan in the East. Fortunately, the weather stayed good at Bengaluru. The migrant crisis loomed; agriculture boomed – the plentiful supplies of fruits at Bengaluru showed through. Slight supply chain disruptions on the food-produce side got ironed out. By the end of the month, local temples welcomed the devout, albeit on restricted time basis. 

By early June 20, the thaw appeared – more people trickled into the office, where hitherto hardly 10% occupancy was seen. Admin departments were still careful, rostering to ensure 30-40% occupancy. Offices being controlled environments, some false alarms arose on the Test, Track and Treat procedures. If the corporate was employee friendly during normal times, Covid 19 induced medical supplies and precautions were now the norm. Wide propaganda on Social Distancing and the four mantras for health safety followed. Mental health counselling was quickly introduced. Across the length and breadth of the operations. 

I continued Work from Office until July 14th for a full quarter – an impending lockdown prompting me to scoot back to check the family situation at Chennai. Just 320 km away from Bengaluru, this world had reacted differently during March-June 2020. E-pass, quarantine and traveler declarations were passe. But a mechanical engineer friend’s words rung true “Five Hepa Filters inside the aircraft means you bought yourself the best safe-zone”. And air travel I did, with a super senior citizen in tow.

September 20 was a mixed bag personally – a long pending issue got resolved, a new life event came by and hard choices had to be made. With one crucial choice being thrust up on me, it was back to Chennai, with family, for the festival season to follow. In Nov 20, emergency at an extended family from multiple Covid infections, meant that this relocation choice did have a silver lining. 

How does Bengaluru Rock

Besides great weather, green vegetables and endless milk supplies, the Arogya Setu app was a pass-port as early as May 20. Even shops needed to check this before a purchase. For the vast majority of Kannada native, intra-State travel was a breeze. But inter-state : you needed a proper plan, with rationale and return register! Even the super-zip highway-trips could induce some side-effects. 

Where Chennai stands Ahead

Like the wag said – there are 3 seasons in Chennai “Hot, hotter and hottest”. Yet Cyclone Nivar in Nov 20, coming against a pandemic background was withstood. And a month of pre-electioneering crowds too, in March 2021. The orderly vaccine administer, frenzied home buying and upcountry migration of the Urban Worker were all clearly visible from Chennai. 

Not by Finance Alone 

I would like to believe that I stayed static over this particular stretch April 20 to March 21. No new course enrolled nor a fitness regimen begun. Family and festival celebrations were definitely muted. Yet, a few discrete data points throw interesting perspectives.

Highlights - Financial Year 2020-21 through My Own Trivia

Parameter Outcome Y-o-Y Comparison

1 Paid work 9.5 months Down 14 % over 2019-20

2 Unpaid work   2.5 months Up 150% over prior year

3 Charity Contributions 15% of net earnings Up 150% over prior year

4 Air travel (1 hr. flying time) Twice (round trip) Up Big 

5 Road travel (300+ km in a day) Twice (one single and one double) Down Medium

6 Exercise Regime (daily walk for 45-60+ minutes) 206 out of 365 days Up 40% (148 days in previous year)

7 Consumer Durable or Major Purchase None Down Small

Epilogue – last year was no longer than the ones earlier and later 

It was thus a year in two-three parts – first five months of office going against a harsh pandemic, probably worked 175-200% of my capability, next five months in terms of holding fort, operating @ 100-120% capacity and the last two months of holding up the periscope to decipher the voyage ahead. 

√ More family time and meals (even if everyone has different day-schedules)

√ Extra reading and social media connect (finished two short books and mid-way through a fifteen year unopened book-gift)

√ Leaning towards aspects spiritual (spent at least 45 minutes daily in the second half)

√ Kitchen inputs, process and output now get a keen pair of eyes (my better half did not necessarily require this, though) 

√ Reflect, exercise, recuperate (this is all for the good, no?)

√ In short, achieve same objective without physical meeting or travel (minimize the social)

√ “Building the reserve within” (really? I keep my fingers crossed on This Big One)

What should I be foretelling the Stars for 2021-22

A driving desire to plan my work and work my plan. Include for sure yoga and reading, into the daily habit. Developing the passion – something sorely required. Bond with family – more glue sticks need to be found! 

I do hope your reading of the above, helps you to chart your respective journey during the decade ahead. 

Stay safe, stay healthy and go (more) Digital. God Bless.

Kalyan