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Mission BBM Accomplished

In August, 2016 I decided to pursue the Bachelor's of Business Management Course from University of Mysore. My previous qualification was a Diploma in Production Engineering that was completed in the year 2001. I chose not to pursue a degree in engineering then. However, the lack of a formal degree was a short coming as few good career opportunities failed to materialize. I had made two previous attempts. One through IGNOU and another through Anamalai University. I did not attempt even a single exam. The enthusiasm and motivation at the time of enrollment fizzled out. I just could not get myself to focus on studying and gave up. 

The Bachelor's of Business Management course from University of Mysore was my third attempt at completing my graduation. I enrolled in the year 2016 and there was a good chance of history repeating itself. I did not get started immediately after enrollment. The best part of University of Mysore was that there was a follow-up done wherein a representative would contact over email and/or phone to check on the progress. In the initial days, it helped me to overcome the inertia and the work place related challenges that prevented me from focusing on studies. I attempted few exams and again there was a break for few months. Then I set a target for myself to complete my exam by August-2019. Due to work load in office I missed this target. It was demotivating and I felt bad that I was not able to focus and get the course completed. 

In December, 2019, I decided that come what may, I will complete the course by May, 2020. I took it as a mission to be accomplished. I figured out how many subjects were remaining to be attempted and created a tracker in Google drive for the remaining subjects. I attempted my last exam in June, 2020. The results got declared in July and I managed to clear all the remaining subjects. The whole experience taught me an important life lesson. Clearly defining a goal, putting specific timelines for the milestones in between and trust in the divine is how goals are accomplished. I believed that things not in my control will be taken care of by Him. I truly feel that Lord Shiva's blessings played an important role in having a strong faith that this time I will complete my graduation.

I am sure that successful completion of my graduation would serve as a catalyst in achieving few other goals I have set for myself. Ultimately, the process remains the same no matter what the goals are.

Swami Vivekananda - An Eternal Soul

Today is the death anniversary of a great soul named Swami Vivekananda. He left for heavenly abode on July 4, 1902. However, he is one of those rare personalities whose thoughts and words still continue to inspire and he remains amidst us as a guiding force. He was a perfect blend of scientific temper and spirituality. From being someone who did not believe in God, he transformed into a person who through self-realization became a strong advocate of existence of a divine force. He was against superstition and also believed that a divine force exists in every living being. How can racism or discrimination exist in the mind of someone who believes that God resides in every living being?


Whenever one feels low, reading few of Swami Vivekananda's quotes should be enough to fill you up with energy. He had said, "Thoughts live; they travel far". It is definitely true and his quotes are a testimony of this fact. They continue to inspire millions even today. Check out any of his pictures and there is something distinctive about his eyes. They still seem to communicate and his body language was that of a super confident person. He believed that all religions in this world are just different ways to reach the same God. Can anyone forget his speech at the World's Parliament of Religions, Chicago on 11th September, 1893?

Simple one liners of his are enough to inspire people to overcome inertia and start taking action towards their life goals. He believed that all knowledge is within us. He left this world at an early age of 39 but in that short span of life, he was able to motivate and inspire people from all walks of life not just in India but abroad as well.

He wanted every one to believe in oneself. A strong belief in self is the first step in the realization of God. Without having faith in self, faith is God is not possible. Isn't this true of any task you undertake in life and not just seeking the divine? Without self belief, nothing can be achieved in life.


I wish I could have met this great soul in person.




Image Courtesy: https://www.india.com/

Day21 - 21 Day Lock Down in India

Today was day 21 of the 21 day lock down in India. Today was Vishu as well, the harvest festival of Kerala. It is celebrated under different names in other states too. I woke up early today. In fact very early for Vishu Kani. I think anybody alive today, celebrating Vishu would not have celebrated it locked up in their homes ever in their entire life. Yet, there is something about this day that brings lot of optimism and a feeling in the mind that things would change for the better.

Today PM Modi addressed the nation again to announce about extension of lock down until 3rd May. However, he also hinted about some relief after 20th April on a case by case basis for areas where there are no hot spots due to coronavirus risk.


On work front today there was some apprehension about a meeting. However, it went pretty well. Much better than expected.

Lunch was good today. Despite the lock down something special for Vishu. It felt good. Post lunch I continued working.

In the evening I did Shambhavi. Thanks to the lock down I am able to stick to it. Today is the last day of the post related to the 21 day Lock down. Yes, lock down has been extended but it is now getting very monotonous to write about almost the same kind of experience every day.


I hope that some solution is found soon and the lock down could be lifted sooner. For people like me, it is not a big deal. Work from home is an option. However, for many daily wage laborers, auto rickshaw and taxi drivers, these are tough days. Also, people having other jobs run the risk of losing the job. Even if they manage to save the job, they may not get paid for the lock down period. 

I wish to end my blog post with the hope that the lock down will end soon. I am sure that the whole episode has made us humans feel humbled. The arrogance of the human race has been destroyed by a nano virus. The lessons learnt will stay with us for long.

Good Night!


#21DayLockDownInIndia

Day20 - 21 Day Lock Down in India

Today was day 20 of the 21 day lock down in India. I woke up early today as it was a Monday and a working day for me. For my wife though it was a holiday on account of Easter Sunday. I did venture out again today to buy vegetables and was lucky enough to get it. My brother had also offered to buy it for me if he gets it at his place which he did. I went and collected it from his residence.


I accomplished a lot on the work front. Multiple different tasks were completed today. I also got nominated by an office colleague to write a post on Linkedin about the work from home experience. I wrote this post. It got lot of attention and few likes as well. I continued working on some pending office work and then took a break for doing my Shambhavi practice.


Post Shambhavi, I relaxed a bit and then had my dinner. After dinner I watched some news related to Corona. I came to know that the PM Narendra Modi will be addressing the country again tomorrow at 10 am. It is most likely about extending the lock down. As per original announcement of his, it was supposed to end tomorrow. 


Tomorrow is Vishu as well. A festival celebrated by natives of Kerala like me. It is an auspicious day similar to Baisakhi (celebrated by Punjabis) signifying prosperity, abundance and well being. This would be that rare Vishu when we would not be able to celebrate the festival in a grand manner. However, I do hope that tomorrow becomes the turning point in our efforts to fight against the coronavirus outbreak and we start moving towards better and prosperous days.


Good Night!


#21DayLockDownInIndia

Day19 - 21 Day Lock Down in India

Today was day 19 of the 21 day lock down in India. I woke up late as it was a holiday being a Sunday. I did venture out again today to buy vegetables. However, no shops were open today. It seems the shops will remain shut until 14th of April. I managed to get some fruits though and medicine for my wife. 

I reached home got fresh and had breakfast. Post that I spent some time lazing around. Post lunch, we played two rounds of housie online with friends. I then did some pending office work and took a break for doing my Shambhavi practice. Then I happened to stumble upon a Malayalam movie on TV which was almost ending but still was an interesting movie. It was shot in my native place as well. I watched the movie while having dinner. 

I then continued with the pending work and finished it off. I look forward to less stressful week on the work front this week.

Good Night!

Day18 - 21 Day Lock Down in India

Today was day 18 of the 21 day lock down in India. I woke up late as it was a holiday being a Saturday. I did venture out today to buy vegetables. However, by the time my turn to make payment came at the counter, the cops came and got the shops to shut down. It seems the shops will remain shut until 14th of April. I then came back home, took bath and played cards with my daughter. It was announced by Chief Minister of Maharashtra that the lock down has been extended till 30th April. It was expected. However, I would not being continuing this blog series accordingly. I will stop my updates as per the original 21 day lock down period only. The reason being that it is the same routine that is being repeated because we are staying at home.

Post lunch, we played two rounds of housie online with friends. After housie played couple of games of Ludo with wife and daughter. Then I did my Shambhavi practice. After that had dinner and post dinner, we played Ludo online using Ludo King app. 

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. However, it will be like a working day for me as I have to finish of pending tasks and be ready by Monday.

I hope the coming week is less stressful on the work front. I did get some subtle intuitive messages today regarding some questions I had in my mind about my career. I hope it turns out to be true.

Good Night!




#21DayLockDownInIndia

Day17 - 21 Day Lock Down in India

Today was day 17 of the 21 day lock down in India. I woke up late as it was a holiday on account of Good Friday. In such times, an extended weekend is like oasis in a desert. After a stressful day yesterday it was a welcome relief. Today had a debate on Facebook with a friend. It was a long debate.


I played ludo with my wife and daughter. I also played cards with my daughter. In the afternoon recorded a video with family. Some fun activity during the lock down.



Around 4 pm, played online housie with friends. First round did not win anything. However, in second round did win enough to recover the ticket cost. I then went out to buy milk and fruits. After coming back took a bath and then did my Shambhavi practice. It was relaxing. Post dinner played online ludo on Ludo King. A cousin in Kerala, sister in law from Borivali and me and my wife participated from our home. Technology has made it easy to connect and such online games makes it fun.


The number of casualties are increasing. It has crossed 200 and the number of positive cases have crossed 6000. It is worrying and looks like the lock down will get extended.


#21DayLockDownInIndia

Day16 - 21 Day Lock Down in India

Today was day 16 of the 21 day lock down in India. I woke up on time. On work front day was hectic. Work from home actually makes the working days longer. There is no doubt about it. Three days of holidays are something to look forward to. I really am missing office now. The office commute even though at times was taking a toll on you, it was still making you to move from one place to another. Here at home you are stuck and cannot move much. In the morning when I was checking my ward robe, I found 5 brand new formal shirts I bought just a day or two before lock down. I started to wonder when I will be  wearing them to office. 

I wish I could take a sabbatical. Especially when you are putting in more work than normal and there is no where to go and rewind yourself. The one thing that is keeping me going is the Shambhavi practice I am doing daily. It does allow me to recenter and recharge my batteries.

I spent some time playing cards and ludo with my wife and daughter. That too helped to beat the stress. I think that the lock down maybe helping save lives but it is definitely getting people bored to the bone. I know people who have no work may be using it for some creative pursuit. However, I am definitely utilizing it more for work related tasks and less for any creative pursuit or skill development. I hope that the lock down does get lifted after the 21 days. However, when I look at the rise in covid 19 cases, I know that we are looking at more days of being locked up in our homes.

I hope that the next 3 days helps me find some ideas that will help address the challenges. I am definitely going to think of some creative solution to my problem.


#21DayLockDownInIndia

Day15 - 21 Day Lock Down In India

Today was day 15 of the 21 day lock down in India. There were back to back calls today that kept me busy for the most part. My wife had to step out to get milk, vegetables and fruits today. On the work front there was a surprise that came my way and that too not so pleasant one. Hopefully tomorrow things would get sorted out. 

My daughter prepared for a Malayalam recital today as part of her Malayalam class. She did a good job for someone who has just recently started to speak little bit of Malayalam.

I did my Shambhavi practice in the evening.  It does uplift the mood and also fills you with energy. A much needed exercise due to the way the day went.

After relaxing a bit had dinner. So far no announcement has been made regarding lock down extension. However, things are not looking ominous. Number of cases and the fatalities are increasing with each passing day. 


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