The Drive from Ego to Eco

The last blog was in March 2019. 

It was from a contributor who chose to blog inside a Mumbai local train, like a maniac.

That was supposed to be my inspiration however now after I realize that my hibernation lasted for 11 months, I am guilty enough to decide that I will remain on entertainment and social media diet till I have the key developments towards alternate lifestyle choices captured here - I will not watch cute kitten Youtubes and Kitchen recipes till I have the key messages out.

Mentally I am still trying to justify the gap. I traveled to Bangalore in April, to Korba in May and again to Bangalore in June, multiple trips to weaver's base in rural Bengal which is  roughly 200 kms both ways to establish a network of retailers for an investor in Bangalore keen to promote Bengal hand-loom. This undoubtedly is such a poor excuse not to blog. The contributor of the last blog here just motivated how one can blog while traveling. So this does not hold grounds at all.

In 2014 I learnt how to plan and travel in super limited budget
In 2015 I learnt everything about freelancing and worked for over forty global clients
In 2016 I learnt to successfully complete my first "How Go" guide and sold it to quite a few people interested in alternate career
In 2017 I learnt techniques for facial treatment from a government recognized instituted, primarily for self-care and possibly to invest in a beauty parlor some day 
In 2018 I wanted to learn music but I ended up learning how to pitch business ideas to potential investors. A couple of contests I had participated recognized and appreciated the proposed business idea. After a decade of corporate experience, this was indeed a huge learning for me where you pitch your stand-alone idea to an audience who are complete strangers.
In 2019 I had plans for music class and again I, along with my team, did extensive research in pre fab building, steel structures, alternate construction technology, tiny homes and container homes which was an amazing learning experience.

The trend is simple - one learning every year about a subject that I have no clue about.

It is a conscious movement from Ego to Eco, alternate life style choices, alternate learning models, alternate spaces to live and alternate connections with your inner world.

The journey from Ego to Eco begins with what you read, what you choose to learn, how you evolve and how you grow!

Alternate Travel: Blogging Inside A Mumbai Local Train

Inspiration can come from any quarter. In my case it came from an uncomfortable and a somewhat dangerous place. Blogging is no joke nor does a blog just pop out from your brains on to your keyboard. I blogged like a maniac. Hope you like my tactics that I used for blogging inside a Mumbai local train.

Image Credit: Mumbai Dream City

Blogging background

Pardeep Goyal an eminent Indian blogger in a telephone conversation told me that writing is not hard and if done each day becomes smooth and effortless.

I like to scare myself by taking on goals that I have never attempted before.

So I took up writing, while travelling everyday on Mumbai Locals!!

And inspired by the many stories of students studying inside local trains, successful sports persons who took the train to reach their coaching destinations, IAS and CAT aspirants cracking the exams!

Why Mumbai locals?

1. Predictability takes away stress

Mumbai Suburban - one of the best Indian ingenious and autonomously running institution

Lot of respect for its punctuality, something we Indians are not known for.

Compare this to my commute in Bangalore in my car where I was at the mercy of traffic and some government departments road digging fetishes.

2. Comfort and speed

Stated fact that trains cut away from traffic, move really fast, and your posture is stable to write (and also play candy crush).

3. Warm people

People in Mumbai are nothing I have met having traveled almost all the country. They are warm, polite and mind their own business. Huge advantage when you are trying to do something like writing.

4. Focus

When you see everyone around either studying, reading or pursuing something, you get busy yourself. You are the average of the 300 people you hang out with!

5. Green warrior

I don’t burn fuel which I did in my previous avatar at Bangalore, taking my car to work each day for 32 kms, for more than a decade.

I feel happy that I am not a contributor to the traffic mess and pollution outside.

6. Cheapest

Yes it helps when your daily commute works out to under 10 rupees a day! That’s real cold cash saved.

How to start blogging inside Mumbai Locals

1. Buffer of 30 minutes

Writing needs serious focus and energy. Conserve it by keeping 30 minutes for any travel as buffer. I don’t have to run to catch a train.

This preserves my energy levels and maintains my equilibrium.

Keeping a buffer means, you get to pick trains which aren’t crowded and easy to alight and board.

Never underestimate the planning process.

2. Your Tools

Amazon music, Google Drive, Google Calendar, a good mobile internet, a good smartphone, good headphones, fast thumbs and a deadline to finish.

You need a good phone because sometimes all you will have is a single thumb. So the gesture flow feature should work well when typing. I think iPads or tabs would be little inconvenient to carry in Locals.

Yes, not to forget - have a phone with a good battery life

3. Karma works

I love standing in a good place free from the slug fest and the hustling.

Fun fact: a seat to sit is premium commodity and a thing to die for, literally.

So I offer my seat to people who are standing. Someday when I’m tired and need to focus on some serious ideation, I get offered a seat out of nowhere. Karma really works!

4. Discipline

Have a rigor and a personal goal each day to write, compile ideas and give shape to your blog.

My total travel time in a day is 3 hours. I believe it’s enough to push 2 blogs out of my weekly goals.

In closing, let’s do something every day till it becomes a muscle memory. Just like the way I read 84 books in 2016 because I was committed to the goal.

Discipline is a promise to your goal that you would meet it for sure.

If I have to attribute a reason for my success, I would hand out over to my wife for her unconditional love and Indian railways for relentlessly serving this city.

This was originally published here and has been added to this site with permission from the author.

Author Profile: Karmesh Ghosh is a startup enthusiast. As an independent consultant for marketing, sales and development strategies, he supports startups and SMEs to achieve their business outcomes. To know more click here

Healthy Living: Pranayama lessons from a Toddler

During winter, most of the afternoons, after lunch I go to the terrace with a book, my mobile and an orange – to read and soak the sun. That is actually the most favorite part of my day.  My kind of Susegad

Corporate life takes away little elements like these and completely sweeps you into a mad daily whirlwind. Most of us are conditioned to work or over work in a certain manner for years together, not realizing while we are making a living, we are letting something pass slowly unnoticed – Life!

If we only learnt to take life more seriously than livelihood, we would have a better chance with life.

While we manage to squeeze in short tours, long trips and travel plans for weekends, in the name of break from mundane however it is sometimes less rejuvenating and more taxing because of the compulsion or urgency to cover a dozen tourist spots or shop stuff - than just enjoy and belong there.

I have no intention to sermonize about that kind of traveling with the selfie mania or the Insta craze. My concern is when people who believe in healthy living and are fitness conscious - complain about missing exercise, when they are in transit.

I can’t exercise when I am away from home

The rationale to upload these images of a two year old doing pranayama is basically to let the world know that is how easy it is, at least the basic ones – breathing techniques and stretching exercises

Chanting Om

Anulom Vilom Pranayam: Alternate Nostril Breath

I was stationed in Ancient School of Wisdom in the last week of November last year with a hectic learning schedule from 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM. In fact my roommate who is fitness freak and runner arranged for our Yoga Mats from the organizers so that we could exercise. 

The other side of terrace where I did Pranayam during my stay 

Being away from home is definitely no excuse to skip exercise – We did Pranayam, meditation, running, stretching as a group.

Here are some more lessons from the toddler

What flexibility!!

And here is the one most of us find it difficult to begin with - Kapalbhati

This two year old did each of these one after another, on her own. She was so excited about the photography that one or two instructions were reminded by her aunt who actually taught her.

Just before concluding, here is one last one

Bhramari

So are you inspired to quickly take some New Year resolutions right now to get started? So - work, travel, chores - should not be your excuses but your reasons to exercise or do Yoga

Alternate Living: Let Go And Be Happily Sorted

I visited a cousin in Tamilnadu in the first week of December during my recent trip to Bangalore. As I live in the outskirts whenever I go to the Garden City, a couple of buses from there take me to Tamilnadu within two hours

My cousin had shifted to her new abode in the last week of November and was still amidst cartons – unpacking, cleaning, unwrapping. As I stood there watching two helpers sort things for them who were generously tipped by a packed set of new glass bowls, by the end of the Herculean task, I smiled.

The bowl set traveled all the way through packers and movers to land as a gift in a helper’s hand in Tamilnadu. The point I am trying to make is my cousin never used it, never needed it and did not let go of it before shifting

They moved four wardrobes – That was beyond me because they have multiple homes in different cities. They could choose to keep the books, some furnishing and clothes back in one of the homes.

I am big fan of Marie Condo. Though I have not mastered the art and practice of Kon Mari, I never a miss a chance to tell people – Let Go!!

Let Go

When I was asked how do I let go of old stuff – I give away to people who need it. It is that simple. This is not generosity or any status symbol. The receiver is doing me a huge favor, almost life-saving favor by using my stuff.

There are many memories attached, hard earned money used to buy, immense energy invested in things we buy and when you no longer need, it is really hard to just throw it away.

It is very satisfying experience for me to pick a day in a month to de-clutter, simplify and organize my home.

Papers accumulate

Clothes pile up

How to begin:

Room by room approach

Closet by Closet

Category by category

Little by little

I am still guilty of having four televisions - One locked in a suitcase, one needs a check from technician.

This lifestyle phenomenon lets you keep items that spark joy while you enjoy a clean and tidy home by downsizing. The impact of de-cluttering is manifold. It is not just about tidying up external space because in the process, you tend to train your unruly mind, be calm, at peace and motivated which has ripple effect on others as your calmness can be truly inspiring.

When I am burnt out and need to unwind, I forget everything and wipe the floor. Keeping my hands busy helps my mind find stillness.

Read more about Kon Mari and Marie Condo for your regular doze of inspiration to let go and be happily sorted.

Alternate Living: Reaching Kolkata Airport By Spending Less Than Thirty Rupees.

It was fully sponsored – flight, accommodation, food and training. I am still proud of my campaign idea though I am yet to launch the petition due to pending research. The hour long drilling to transfer my conviction about the idea to the organizers was a great learning too as it shaped my thinking and fine-tuned the idea with sharper precision.

My family insisted I arrange for rental car or cab to reach airport for the morning flight to Bangalore.

“Yeah right” I whispered to myself. The last time I booked rental car was to attend a wedding alone in South Kolkata. Wearing a Sari cost me INR 1200/- that day. When the driver offered to switch on the AC, I politely stopped him to let the natural breeze in (Read to save INR 200/-).  In my usual wear, I could have managed the wedding using Metro train for just hundred bucks. My family had insisted then that I book the car as it will be late to return home from the other side of Kolkata. “Ok fine!!” I agreed reluctantly.

Not this time, for sure!

The minute the rental car guy hears “Airport”, he has an almost automated response: INR 1400. He will add immediately “We are not Ola or Uber which means the car is all yours for that hour, as if it is manufactured only for you, pure and untouched”. Regardless of how many times you have used his services in the past, Airport drop charges are fixed and inscribed in stone. 

Well Dude, that’s the amount I spend to go to Bangalore by Howrah express and be back home in Sleeper Class. So “Forget it!”

I have an aunt staying a few kilometers away from Dumdum Airport and I visit her often as she is all by herself. Her daughters are married outside the city or country, couple of them fighting serious illnesses, living their routine measured lives or moved to greener pastures for livelihood or luxury or whatever. Every second week I get SOS from her, that she needs me to go to the bank, or visit her ill daughter or just spend time with her. I often oblige.

The point is, if I can go to her house every three weeks using public transport, why do I need a car to transverse a distance that is couple of kilometers closer?

My logic did not register in their minds. Now my family started throwing reasons at me, why I should book a cab?

I had luggage with me and I will not be able to manage

How many of you consider a laptop bag luggage? One bag with wheels is not called luggage if it has just six dresses in it, a few gift items (Sari, stole etc.) and a flat water bottle (May be a few papers and a book)

I am likely to face traffic

Right, that’s a valid point. I chose to avoid the road and opted to go to Dumdum by train which is 20 minutes ride from our station. My rationale fell flat and did not appeal to them when I said, that I can face traffic even in car. Early mornings are seriously not that terrible, I know that.

How can I manage alone because I am not a regular by local train now? How can I deal with the crowd?

My sister wanted to join me to help me with my “Luggage” in train.  She had office to attend after dropping me in Dumdum. “Seriously No” I said firmly.

So finally, how did I go?

A Toto to station cost me INR 10/-

The train ticket to Dumdum station cost me INR 5/-

(The local train arrived around 6 AM and was empty. I got a corner seat and happily managed)

A shuttle auto to Nager bazaar for INR 7/-

Another shuttle auto to Airport Gate Number 1 for INR 7/-

The Auto driver first proposed that I take a rickshaw to reach Airport entrance, and then almost immediately he discarded the idea and said, the rickshaw is allowed till a particular point after which I had to walk. So he recommended I just walk adjacent to the flyover for five minutes.

Just a five minute walk at 7:00 AM is doable because I walk twenty minutes every evening. And as I walked past the garage, waited for the escalator, I had the fodder for this blog - Too many people worry about Airport pickups and drops. I am hoping this blog will put some of it to rest.

So how good is your Mathematics? What does this total up to?

When I was back to Kolkata, the flight was late by an hour and I wasted a few extra minutes at the conveyor belt.

1.     5 Minute walk to Bus stop

2.     Bus fare INR 14 to Barasat

3.     Bus fare INR 11 to my residence

And for those of you keen to know how I managed to go home from Bangalore Airport, well that’s for another blog!

Research and studies show that the focus today across the globe regarding diseases that are progressive in nature and have no permanent cure, has extensively broadened to prevention strategies from treatment as treatment is hardly effective.

To mitigate risk factors and ensure lifelong brain health, we publish blogs, stories on any one of the following themes. So if you think any blog is not relevant to Dementia or Alzheimer, you can see connect to one of these, for sure. Do you have a personal story to share?

Regular Physical/ Mental exerciseSocial EngagementHealthy Diet and HabitsMental StimulationAdequate and quality sleepStress Management

I, dad and Tagore

Today is Rabindra Jayanti and this brings back so many memories.

I was seven, when I thought I had written my first poem.

It actually was just a line – Robi tumi Kobi (Robi, you are a poet) – I did not know then, that I was just stating the obvious, something the whole world already knew. My young brain thought differently - How can people miss the rhyme? Rhyming is a key component of poem.

I remember showing that line to everyone in the family, fishing for compliments, particularly waiting for appreciation from my father who had a great collection of Tagore’s music.

My father was a poet. I read his ramblings.

After that one line, I had written many more on different occasions. My family tolerated my scribbles particularly the ones I wrote in colloquial Bengali. Tagore must have twisted in his grave.

Honestly I was personally not a big fan of my own poems though and soon realized when something disturbed me I found poems as an easy outlet. That was it. So it was nothing profound for the world – just a mental release. This arrangement worked well for many years till I finally realized, I can try and weave stories which people can read and like however I seriously do not quite have the depth for poems at all.

I and dad watched Mushairas regularly. I attempted singing the songs from a Bengali Movie “Dadar Kirti”. The point I am trying to make is we grew up with these little nothings around Tagore, love for poems, his music, his life, his personality and looking for meaning in poems of other languages – Hindi, Urdu and English.

This blog is not supposed to be a diary entry with a long story on “Me” and my “Memories”. This blog has a definite point to make.

I have quit corporate roughly five years back and when I was asked today by a friend, “What are your retirement plans?” I had to emphasize “I am retired”

Retired to do what, if one may ask - to live

Do we even know while we are busy making a living, something called life quietly passes

Why have your poems dried up?

Where are the stories and why are they lost?

Because the world is busy earning their livelihood, without the faintest clue how much they need to live, even if they live till ninety, even with medication requirements, even with building contingency funds, even with annual vacations, even with inflation, even with growing responsibilities.

Once we know that figure, we can retire – mentally first, then physically or get ready for second innings, more grandiose plans to leave legacy or work for greater good.

Here is one of Tagore's quote to remind you

You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water

If you think, the time is now to live, then pause, reflect, take charge, change directions, make critical lifestyle choices, manage priorities and give life a chance.

Can you do that merely by staring at the whirlwind called life?

Here is one more line from Tagore to get you to act

I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy

Lifestyle choices: The Financial Bit.

The following is an excerpt of a mail I sent to my cousin sister in response to an article she sent me on investment:

In my early twenties, I used to read a magazine called Investors that kind of shaped my thinking - I never believed in long term FDs because inflation neutralizes the marginal gain and short terms are just plain useless.

Now I focus on vital few (invest in a project or two) instead of trivial many (paper assets, properties, insurance etc)- a disciplined and structured pursuit to live with less. I may have reasonably high financial goals for the next decade, not in a competitive way but a collaborative way working with my tribe, and "savings" has no role to play here.

Savings/ FDs never made a person rich by experience or wealthy by currency. Something saved for a rainy day, often gets spent on a rainy day.

Our factory model education system (That is linear and based on conformity) is zero on financial literacy. The generation today, don't even know how much they want, why they want - It is more about external validation and social acceptance. They understand net worth and the Forbes list, however clueless about self worth. I did not intend to react about the article with a "Me" thing or generalizing a generation - An economy is not just about government, it is about individual thinking. How can thinking evolve if education is all about pursuits, scores, degrees and failed parenting strategies?

If youth today, think of solving an issue, addressing a cause, be a global citizen instead of studying for a job or a pay check, they will not talk savings, but assets that appreciates - The whole world is their market - they bring home dollars. They will not talk about retirement benefits, but about leaving a huge legacy long after they are gone.

The topic "Savings" is a favorite pass time for many from our generation because they do not quiet understand anything else, like investing 1/10th their money in someone's business that can fetch them returns in a year (Angel Investors) - So what most people think is the safest investment FD is actually the weakest link in their financial landscape and sole dependence on that can be disastrous.

I am going to leave you all with two questions:

1] Do you know or have any idea, exactly how much you need to earn to live happily ever after? 

2] Do you think the reason why you are working so hard, is because you do not know how much you  actually need?