Cultural expectations surrounding the elderly are being challenged today, and with good reason!

While it was the norm to slow down and retreat into a quieter life post-retirement, more men and women are finding purpose and joy in doing the opposite.

WisdomCircle honours such men and women by shining light on their journey through an inspiring series called “Wisdom Stories”. These people have successfully smashed stereotypes, and their stories remind us that life should be lived to the fullest, no matter what age or stage.

“After the early loss of my father, my mother took on the responsibility of raising three children alone, balancing both work and home—a challenge that profoundly shaped our values and resilience. A major inflexion point came with my admission to IIT Madras, followed by IIM Ahmedabad—milestones that were made possible through the generosity and support of friends who helped me stay the course..
My career has been marked by several transformative shifts. The first came during my tenure at ICI Paints, where, after five years in supply chain roles, I transitioned into sales. Leading the sales function in Mumbai—India’s most demanding market—was baptism by fire. A second major transition came when I moved from sales into manufacturing, a non-traditional shift that reinforced my confidence in navigating unconventional paths.
The biggest transition was when I left Pepsi to pursue my passion and seek a career in healthcare. I will always be grateful to Sanjiv Verma for giving me that first break – the opportunity to lead a business at Baxter. At Baxter, we encountered many kidney failure patients who could have avoided the situation through preventive measures and timely care. This led me to HCL Healthcare, drawn by Shiv Nadar’s powerful vision of “Shifting the needle from Sick care to Healthcare”. Although HCL eventually pivoted away from this mission, this experience continues to guide my path.
Ten years ago, I stepped out of the corporate sector to establish HxCo India, with the intent to help build healthy communities and keep people out of hospitals. HxCo works with state governments, developmental organisations, and insurance providers to strengthen health systems, focus on the last mile, and support early intervention. Recently, we have partnered with a Japanese social welfare corporation with over five decades of experience in senior care in Japan. The goal is to translate their model for in-home care, wellness and monitoring into India.
Throughout my career, I have been privileged to work with and learn from exceptional leaders:

• Dr. Param Bhargav, my first CEO at ICI Paints, demonstrated the power of vision, energy, transparency, and belief in people.
• Dr Surya Mohapatra, formerly the CEO of Quest Diagnostics worldwide and Chairman of HCL Healthcare, blended scientific rigour (he holds a patent on MRI technology) with business acumen and a deep commitment to humanitarian causes.
• Shiv Nadar, who was possibly the brightest mind I ever encountered.

My greatest source of inspiration is the story of Dr. Venkataswamy Govindappa of Aravind Eye Care. Founding Aravind at the age of 58 with a modest 10-bed facility, he went on to create a global legacy, proving that it is never too late to dream big.
Today, my motivation stems from a dual desire to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving world and to leave behind a meaningful legacy. I am driven to spearhead impactful healthcare initiatives, believing that my experiences uniquely position me to make a difference. As the world continues to transform at an unprecedented pace, it is curiosity and humility that empower the wisdom generation to stay connected, contribute meaningfully, and lead with purpose.”

Explore more inspiring journeys—read more Wisdom Stories here.

Photo and Interview credits – Saonli Bedi of WisdomCircle