It was August 4 when the aircraft touched down in Bengaluru. My wife Rajitha and I had left behind the fiery noon of Gurugram for Bengaluru’s more temperate weather. Waiting for us outside was a warm embrace from the Nestle family in Bengaluru. About half a dozen of my former colleagues from Nestle were there to welcome us with the traditional headgear and beautiful flowers! It was as if the eternal warmth of Nestle would continue to envelop both of us. From the airport, we drove straight to our new home in a new city, bracing ourselves with enthusiasm for the change ahead.
Over the past decade, I had visited Bengaluru numerous times for work and to deliver lectures on crisis management to aspiring MBA students. However, this time, it was different; Bengaluru would now become my home as I transition into a new phase of life.
Known as the ‘Silicon Valley of India’, Bengaluru has grown into a global hub of technology and entrepreneurship. The city is home to R&D centres of leading multinational corporations, while fostering a thriving ecosystem of startups.
Imaging: Deni Lal
As I settled into this new environment, one article particularly caught my attention. It described how World War II shaped local cuisine. Japan’s invasion of Burma—the largest rice producer in the region and a primary supplier to south India—led to significant shortages. Many eateries, including the legendary MTR, were forced to innovate, and from this challenge emerged the iconic rava idli—an ingenious alternative that became a local staple. This historical context resonated with me, highlighting how adversity can lead to innovation and resilience.
Adjusting to this new life has been a whirlwind of learning, taking on myriad skills—booking cabs, purchasing flight tickets, and even organising the delivery of the newspaper! Each cardboard box that arrived at our doorstep carried not just belongings, but memories of our past and building blocks for our future. Even simple tasks, like setting up the television, felt daunting. I felt a bit ‘inept’, to which my supremely organised wife gently chided, “You never did it.”
Throughout my 40-year career, I had the privilege of working alongside a team, a retinue of people and organisational capital that managed various requirements, allowing me to focus on my core responsibilities. However, this transition has sparked a newfound self-reliance, encouraging me to rediscover my own capabilities and bringing me ‘down to earth’. I have never considered myself a social brood; I enjoyed meeting people, my work often took me to remote cities, towns, and villages, where I encountered people from various walks of life. It also led me to meet Gen Zers, who introduced me to fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.
Now, in this new phase of learning, I find myself meeting even more people. With the corporate bureaucracy behind me, this has opened up exciting avenues for mentoring the younger generation. This includes university lectures, engaging podcasts, and, of course, the joy of reconnecting with old friends while forging new relationships.
In a thought-provoking interview in 2022, tennis legend Serena Williams candidly expressed her ambivalence towards the term retirement. To her, it felt outdated and did not encapsulate the ‘essence of change’—what it means to people, the opportunities it creates, the vacuum it fills. Instead, she viewed her transition as an evolution—moving away from tennis and toward other pursuits that hold significance for her. This perspective resonates deeply with my own experience as I navigate this new chapter and embrace a new beginning—a chance to evolve, and discover what lies ahead and adventures that await.
Narayanan is former chairman & managing director, Nestle India