Author: Dax Nair
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Ten minutes a day to learn something new
If you work in an evolving industry, it is likely that you have experienced imposter syndrome at some point. Working in the tech sector, I certainly did. In layman’s terms, it is the self-doubt that makes you feel that your success has been largely due to luck and not competency. The feeling persists despite your…
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A Severe Case of FOMO
I must admit, I am going through a severe case of FOMO — Fear Of Missing Out. The valuations for cannabis stocks and cryptocurrencies have gone through the roof and I am, once again, sitting on the sidelines, watching. My FOMO is justifiable. This is not the first time I have missed out on opportunities…
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Where you live should not decide whether you live or die
I was excited. Nearly two years to the day after we received my daughter Anakha’s diagnosis, I came across another child with the same rare condition. Not a nameless statistic in a medical journal, but a real-life little girl, with a name and face. Someone else just like Anakha! Then, out of the blue, I…
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When travel and fitness don’t go together
For someone who travels a fair bit, I have never hit the gym at a hotel. Occasionally, I do check out the hotel swimming pool, mostly to grab a beer by the poolside. I am not proud of it. But, the reality is that I have always struggled with balancing travel and fitness routines. Hence…
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Varanasi – You gotta have faith, faith, faith…
You could say that I am not a believer. No true faith. When it comes to religion and faith, I have always flown under the radar as someone who is “not particularly religious.” Occasionally, God and prayer cross my mind. It’s more of a reflex action — something I picked up growing up in a…
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Bangkok – When you‘d rather see the temples
“So, what is Bangkok most famous for?” I asked, trying to strike up a conversation with the driver who had picked me up at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The pre-arranged airport-to-hotel transfer was in a sleek Mercedes. It was going to cost me twice as much as a regular taxi. But hey, on this trip…
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Couldn’t we all just get along?
The past thirty days took me to four places of worship in four different cities. Each one belonged to a different religion – Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu. The church, the mosque, and the temples felt peaceful and serene. I was there during non-worship hours. I did not pray in any of them. And yet,…
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Like a King, at the Lake Palace
I see the lone speedboat snake its way through the lake, its engine almost inaudible. The telltale ripples briefly break the morning calm as I try to jot down some thoughts for my next blog post. The tea that had just been poured for me is steaming hot. I take a tentative sip and look…
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Delhi, a city that takes your breath away!
The black SUV braked suddenly and veered to the curb as it came to a halt in front of the bank. Two masked men in dark clothing quickly got out and rushed into the bank. The driver, also wearing a mask, remained in the car with his engine running. The passersby didn’t seem to notice…
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The things vs experiences dilemma
Driving an expensive car was part of my persona, or so I thought. A few years ago when my daughter suggested that I trade in my fully-loaded BMW X5 for a Toyota Prius Hybrid, I resisted. As a mid-level associate in a New York City Law firm, she didn’t care to own a car. It…