Spiritual insights in corporate world

In our ancient Puranas and epics, the story of Shravana Kumar shines as a timeless beacon of Pitru Bhakti. A selfless devotion to one’s parents. He carried his blind parents on his shoulders across distant pilgrimage sites, serving them with complete dedication and without any expectation of return. His sacrifice remains one of the highest ideals of filial duty in our culture.

This story has always inspired me, and in recent months, it took on deeply personal meaning. A few weeks ago, I resigned from my job after more than 20 years in clinical research and global clinical trials delivery to care for my mother during a serious health challenge. It was a high-demanding yet enjoyable role and stepping away was not an easy decision. But when family needs you, there is no real alternative.

My mother, a single parent who sacrificed enormously to raise me and give me every opportunity, deserved my full presence. The late nights, the emotional weight, the uncertainty of hospital visits and recovery, home care these were heavy days. Watching a parent who gave everything struggle is a profound reminder of our own fragility and responsibilities.

Today, I am deeply grateful and happy to share that she is steadily on the path to recovery. By God’s grace, her recovery, which was initially expected to take 3-4 months, has been remarkably shortened to about 2 months. While she continues to improve, she will never fully return to her previous normal state. This experience has also brought a quiet regret—I wish I had spent more time with her earlier, especially during those moments when she asked me to visit. Her strength and resilience continue to inspire me every single day. Whatever I can give back to her feels like only a small return for the lifetime of love, sacrifices, and unwavering support she has provided. Single parents carry invisible burdens that often go unspoken, the quiet endurance, the endless compromises, and the fierce determination to build a better future for their children. I feel immense respect and gratitude for everything she has done.

What I could offer my mother during this period is not even comparable to a dust particle of Shravana’s dedication, yet his story served as a profound and timeless source of inspiration and strength for me.

This period has also been one of reflection. Stepping away taught me that true leadership begins at home. I have no regrets about my decision, given the circumstances, there were no other viable options, and I stand by the choice I made.

Now, as my mother continues to improve, I am restarting my job hunt with renewed energy and clarity. In many ways, it feels like being a fresh graduate stepping out of college—full of anticipation, a bit of nervousness, but also excitement about new possibilities. With deeper appreciation for work-life harmony and the lessons from this break, I look forward to exploring new opportunities once again.

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to my friends and family members who stood by us during this time. Your calls, messages, visits, practical help, and constant encouragement meant more than words can convey. You helped carry the load and reminded me that we don’t walk through challenges alone. I am truly blessed to have such a supportive circle.

To anyone going through a similar season—caring for aging parents, navigating personal crises while managing career ambitions—please know you are not alone. Prioritizing family is never a setback; it is a mark of strength and character.

I look forward to reconnecting with the industry and contributing meaningfully again. If you’re hiring, know someone who is, or simply want to chat about life, leadership, or new beginnings, I’d love to hear from you.

Here’s to resilience, recovery, and new beginnings.

— Mahesh N. Kotekere