Seeking a second innings

After nearly 44 years, I leave the corporate life, where I worked with companies that touched billions of lives across the globe— HUL, Colgate and Nestlé. Of these, 26 years were spent working with Nestlé across five markets, finally serving as the chairman and managing director of Nestlé India for 10 years. This transition into retirement marks a significant moment in my life, and I firmly believe it is essential to grace out on one's own terms, embracing the next innings with intention and purpose.

- SURESH NARAYANAN

During my tenure at Nestlé, its 'purpose' formed the compass, to which we turned to in good and bad times. Rather than being placed as a parchment in the corridors, 'purpose' is meant to run in our bloodstream, in every action we take, in every decision we make.

Drawing from my experience, I am reminded of the teachings which emphasise the cyclical nature of life and the concept of dharma. Each individual has a limited time on this earth, and fulfilling one's dharma—one's duty—forms an integral part of this lifecycle. You grow up, gathering knowledge from books, people and situations. You use that knowledge as a vocation to fend for the family. Then you practice the retreat, before you give it back to society. This principle of duty resonates deeply with me, particularly as I reflect on my role in shaping future leaders and nurturing talent during my time at Nestlé India.