Lessons from Covid-19: Happiness in simple things, says Dabur India chief

The new work life

Covid-19 has completely changed the way we live and work. Going to the office daily is no longer a reality or even a necessity. I try and go to my Lite Bite Foods office (in Gurugram) at least twice a week and that too only when needed.

Work-from-home has blurred the lines between personal and professional life. In the initial days of the pandemic, the situation was so dynamic that I was taking calls and attending (online) meetings even during breakfast, lunch and dinner. These were desperate times for the F&B retail business and called for desperate measures. Things have now settled down to a routine.

Homebound, and how

One thing that hasn’t changed for me is my fitness routine. Even during the pre-Covid days, I would ensure that I am home by 5 pm every day and follow a dedicated fitness routine. That continues. Now that I am not travelling and staying at home, I get to follow this routine more religiously.

I am also spending more time with my family, playing badminton, board games, chatting… working together in the kitchen.

Habits, old and new

I miss meeting friends and our get-togethers. 

Or even travelling as a family. I am also an adventure sports enthusiast, so I miss indulging in those activities.

On the work front, I miss going out to meet our stockists and business associates. I also miss physical meetings with my colleagues, shaking hands with them or patting them on the back for some good work. The one new thing that 

I am trying hard to acquire from my wife is culinary skills.

The lesson

I have rediscovered happiness in simple things. With ordering food from outside not an option, there were days when my kids and I would explore online and prepare new dishes or desserts. These are moments that I would cherish forever.

Another positive thing was how the community came together and volunteered to help frontline workers — from police personnel to health and sanitation workers — and the urban poor. Covid has aptly shown that our society has a heart. People from all walks of life came together to support the frontline workers and the needy, 

and it was really heartening.