Coronavirus lockdown: How an 83-year-old man’s daily routine shows us about self-motivation during the quarantine

 

As the world practices social distancing because of corona pandemic, it is very easy to fall into the trap of isolation and depression. It is all gloomy everywhere, the businesses are getting closed one by one and people going jobless. Further, we see many physically ailed elders stuck helpless at their home.

However, the story is completely different for Mr. G.R Padmanabhan, aged 83 years presently residing in West Mambalam, Chennai.

He comes from a moderate family background, underwent his normal schooling and joined government establishment, defence sector to serve Heavy Vehicle Factory at Avadi for around 33 years as an engineer officer.

After his retirement in the year 1992, GR Padmanaban joined another leading company at Sriperumpudur as an engineering consultant and continues to work there even today. One of his major accomplishment was to redesign the vacuum pump and eventually bringing a number of other innovations in the factory’s product line.

He usually prefers to go to office every day but due to this lockdown, he says he was compelled to stay at home, the management were concerned about his health given his old age. He took this as an opportunity to learn to use new computer software products and provides his consultation service via online conference meetings. These things are still normal, you may think, but what makes him unique is what he does after the office hours.

Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba had once said,

“What you do after returning from work, i.e., before going to bed is what determines your future.”

“Work every waking hour” says Elon Musk.

GR Padmanabhan is a perfect example of someone who has clearly understood the value of time. Engrossed with a lot of love for self-developed products, he invented many mechanisms/instruments at his home as a hobby. For instance, he noticed how his wife and his two married daughters felt difficult to mill coconut and make chutneys amidst their busy morning schedules. So, he set out and invented a coconut milling and grinding machine. Also, he made a variety of vegetable cutting tools for their kitchen use. He prefers to do all the house maintenance work by himself. In fact, he has a room full of tools either bought from Amazon or handmade ones to use in a number of repair tasks.

His love towards arts and music made himself educated to the level of appearing in social family/gatherings, gained exemplary accolades. He also was much lured towards the art of singing, playing and making a number of flutes, all of which are self-taught.

In addition, GR Padmanaban loves making his own Lord Ganesha statue every year during Ganesh Chaturthi. This attracted many like the neighbourhood friends, relatives and children to learn the art from him. His desire and thirst never quenched till he started developing his own tools to make soft stone sculptures. He surpassed many talents by making his own marble carvings demanding appreciation and praise. He never got tired for doing this kind of work; he ventured further into soapstone, marble stone, metallic, wood sculptures which adore his daughter's house showcase, which comes out for public display during every Dussehra festival.

(Recently completed projects during corona lockdown period)

(GR. Padmanabhan at work, building a new sculpture for the upcoming Dussehra festival)

He also made ideal presentations of his own creations with specific themes in mind. His design and execution of hexane water pump, Kudankulam project plant model, deserved merits and appreciation in getting published in local circulation papers. He does not spare any idle time and made use of it to convert his ideas and thoughts into action. He has conducted many classes and lectures to the children and college students at different occasions.

In addition, he carved a niche in various social activities actually by participating in

• Construction of temples in his locality

• Starting/running of school in his area

• Acting in amateur theatre plays

• Making public singing, etc.

Age is just a number for this versatile, multi-talented man. He revealed his secrets for how to stay young at heart. His daily routine starts with a brisk morning exercise or a warm-up followed by a little Pranayama (a breathing technique which involves long, deep breaths.) He says he avoids sleeping during the daytime. He constantly looks out for new inventions while reading newspapers or the magazines articles to reproduce or to put them for good use later. He has a natural flair towards learning many languages English, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali and German apart from his mother tongue Tamil.

It would be appropriate at this juncture to make a special mention about his wife, Mrs. Abitha Padmanabhan, who has been his powerful support in his versatile career. She is, even today his constructive critic who comes out with various suggestions in bringing out perfection in all his creativity.

We wish him to be an example to others and youngsters for their own development.