As per a latest finding, the life expectancy in the cities
of India has reached to 74.8 years. These cities would include Mumbai, Delhi,
Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad & Kolkata and it’s indeed a
great news on the development bar of India. Besides the life expectancy in
India has been increasing by 5 years for every decade with the growing
awareness and availability of medical facilities, new inventions in medical
sciences & the change in attitude of people towards the phrase “prevention
is better than cure”.
An interesting analysis of
how an average person spends his/her life in these cities would bring about
parallels with the current state of human mind, stress levels & other
startling attributes which is rapidly changing us as a happy human being. The
below table envisages an interesting revelation on where the life is spent for
an average Indian living in the listed cities.
With
our encroachment as humans on the beautiful planet earth we were always born
free and with the passing time our freedom has been on stake and we eventually
have starting reporting into at least two people in our daily lives – The
combinations may vary from people to people but the reporting is always linked
to at least 2 individuals.
It’s
in the Human DNA to socialize, play, exercise & Have sex which gives us the
most satisfaction and peace. Not long ago in India – just 75 years back we used
to spend at least 7 hrs for our personal peace which in today’s time has
reduced to less than 90 minutes a day. These priceless moments have been replaced
by stress generating actions like the commute, increasing usage of digital
media & unnecessary arguments. And Oh yes!! Talking about sex –supposedly
the most interesting or rather hyped activity for at least all the men we just manage
to spend 19 minutes in a day which includes foreplay, kissing, cuddling etc. Besides
the other key stimulant for instant happiness which is taking regular vacations
still remains less than 4 days a year in India. Although its rising slowly but
still very far from global standards of 30 days a year.
Fortunately
the average Indian is at least sleeping for 8 hrs a day which comes in as a
consolation for the fact that at the same time we spend 12.5 years on
commuting, 5.5 years on gadgets for just pass time, 4.7 years in the rest room
& almost 3 years of our lives spent on arguments and fights. This complete living
disorder has brought about a stark change in our lifestyle thus leading to
various new ailments which never existed. For example In activity has increased
4 folds in the last 3 decades in India due to which problems related with
obesity has raised 3 folds in the same period.
The
irony still remains that although we have advanced towards development for
greener pastures the struggle to enjoy life still haunts and happiness is yet
to be decoded!
Amjad I Khan
Country Head- Employee Benefit Practice
J B Boda Group
Country Head- Employee Benefit Practice
J B Boda Group
The commute is indeed a wasteful activity that is being obsoleted by the maturation of information and communications technology.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lastrushhour.com/
Dear Fred,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your inputs.
Completely agree on technology advancement being the solution to kill this absolute waste of time. India is gearing up on such innovations and organizations are also addressing to these issues by innovating on the benefits side by providing flexi timings and work from home options.