A new experience

Today is the last day for me to work from the Philips office at Metropole, Bund Garden Road, Pune. I have made many office shifts in the last 31 years. But this one is unique. This is a GREEN shift. I will be working from home from Monday, 9 February, 2009, substantially saving on petrol used for travel to/fro office. My individual carbon footprint will come down - apart from less consumption of petrol, no airconditioning (whether I am in or out of the office the airconditioner is on in the office - as it is a central air conditioner), no lift, no extra lighting etc., will save substantial energy and consequent carbon emission !!

Responses to my working from home have been varied. Some think that I have been sent home due to economic downturn (one of the 6000 jobs to be cut in Philips !!). Some think that I have taken Voluntary Retirement ! Many more are curious to know why I have changed my Landline Number !!! They are civilized enough not to ask me a blunt question. Some have even suggested as to what to do after retirement.

At home, Maya believes that I will get bored after sometime working from home; Sheila feels that I will encroach upon her time for chat through broadband with Indhu and Maya (and of course with ARJUN and Kriti). Indhu has some comment to make; but she has not revealed that so far (may be waiting for an innovative comment !!!).

I hope to make the necessary adjustments to make everyone happy. I am sure that my life-style will change - hopefully for better.

Let me wait and see if this change is indeed GREEN or will turn out to be RED over time!!!!