The PM, Mr. Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Thursday and told us that we should not be complacent about #CoronaVirus. He mentioned that we should take every possible precaution including staying indoors and practicing social distance. He exhorted all the citizens to follow #JantaCurfew on Sunday, March 22 between 7 am and 9 pm. He asked us to applaud the medical practitioners, the health workers, the essential services provider who are selflessly responding to the call of duty while being aware of the risks involved.

Following the government directives and keeping the safety of our team and clients as paramount, Mitraz team is working from home right now. Technology allows us to meet the clients virtually through video calls and execute on the advice via online with minimum disruption. So, is working from home with a lock-down the same as occasionally working from home? Not really! I have already felt the difference. You may have your ideas of things to do besides the regular work, here are my suggestions .

1. It is a good time to review your Financial Plan and Status. Please discuss the plan with your adviser at Mitraz. If you have not created a financial plan, then I urge you to do so. Planning helps you to be ready for black swan events like the current one.
2. Some of you wish to leave your current jobs and either want to do something different or take some time off. It is a good idea to reflect on your career, life and what course corrections you need to make right now. Life goals exercise assists in bringing clarity and Mitraz advisers can help you do that.
3. Read the book and watch the movie that you always wanted to.
4. Learn about something new through an online course.
5. Exercise or do yoga at home.
6. Spend time with family and connect with friends who you have not been in touch with.

We asked some of our clients about the current war-like situation. Check out the following link for what they have to say. If you would like to broadcast your message, please send your voice note through Whatsapp to +91-70226 43201. We will add it to the podcast.

https://soundcloud.com/mitrazfinancial

The quarantine efforts may seem hard to follow and staying put inside our home an exercise that leads to boredom in some time. But that’s the only way to handle the Covid-19 epidemic. I happen to watch the movie “Contagion”. Though movies mostly are an exaggeration, this one had hair-raising similarities to the current morass we are in. The movie shows the breakdown of law and order and people fighting for survival. In real life, I believe we are not always driven by pure survival instincts. Our conscience allows us to show empathy to everyone around us. Let us continue to show consideration by staying healthy and keeping others healthy, helping people in need and using only the required resources. We should avoid straining the infrastructure and the system.

Wishing all of us to be safe and quick restoration of the normal life.

The writer is the Managing Director of Mitraz Financial Services Pvt. Ltd and can be contacted at micontact@mitraz.financial