What is the best thing that I love about my work?

As a scholar of philosophy and a craft designer, my work as a writer comes to be an amalgamation of both creativity and academics. Juggling between the creative world and the academic world is my favorite part because I am often surprised by my own findings.

What is my idea of happiness?

Having read varied definitions of happiness by philosophers, this is a tough question to answer. My view on happiness is certainly not hedonistic, but it is not clearly an emotional state either. For now, I take to believe that a balance between a man’s mental and physical well-being should lead to creating a state of happiness.

What is my greatest fear?

I once read a quote by Caroline Dooner that stated, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” and my fear ever since I read this quote is that I may not be able to do enough to satisfy my soul.

 What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

I do believe that I am too hard on myself when it comes to working and I tend to forget that life has a tendency to turn out differently than you planned. So, I hope to be gentler with myself from now on.

 Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?

Among philosophers, most of my favorite persons are not alive. However, Noam Chomsky, Peter Singer and Jürgen Habermas have influenced my thinking in many ways.

The designers who I admire the most are Issey Miyake and Sabyasachi Mukherjee.

What is my greatest extravagance?

Purchasing different types of watches is my greatest extravagance. In my defence, I do believe punctuality to be an important virtue and hence; the watches.

On what occasion would I lie?

I would certainly lie to save my life.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

The fact that it could be disliked by at least one person in a room full of people is what I dislike the most in my work. Although, to be honest, that is a trait that is bound to occur in every line of work, however, it could lead to constructive criticism, which I believe is healthy.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

I was happiest when a faculty who I look up to appreciate my work in front of my peers. Due to my immense respect and admiration towards that faculty’s work, receiving validation for my work from that particular faculty meant a lot to me.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I hope to master the art of remaining calm, not just on the outside but also within my mind.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

I am yet to experience my greatest achievement in work. I believe in the quote, “Stay Hungry Stay Foolish” by Steve Jobs, which reminds me to stay humble, to aim higher and to remember that there is ALWAYS more to learn.

Where would I most like to live?

I would love to settle down in New Zealand.

What is my most treasured possession?

An heirloom gifted to me by my grandmother.

What is my most marked characteristic?

I have been told that I am unapologetically straightforward, so I suppose that would be a marked characteristic trait that I possess.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

My most inspirational location is definitely the Marine Drive promenade that curves around the Arabian sea in Mumbai, India. Despite being crowded, I have had the experience of feeling absolute tranquility amidst the noise and chaos.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

It is indeed a tough task for a foodie to pick one favorite place to eat and drink. Therefore, I am going to pick two of my favorite eateries; the first being a very famous South Indian café and the second being among the best Iranian cafés in Mumbai.

1.     Café Madras, Mumbai – http://www.cafemadras.in

2.     Café Mondegar, Mumbai – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cafe_Mondegar

What books influenced my life and how?

“Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom is one of my most cherished books, which has greatly influenced my approach towards life. Among others, “Who will cry when you die” and “The Monk who sold his Ferrari” by Robin Sharma, “Ikigai” by Hector Gracia, “Think Straight” by Darius Foroux, “The Secret” by Rohanda Byrne have inspired me and helped me evolve.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

Because I am an old soul, I would love to hear some of the classics of Bollywood music. My last song would without a doubt be, “Ajeeb Dastan hai yeh” by the singer Lata Mangeshkar

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

My heroine in fiction is Sita. She is the female protagonist in the Hindu epic called Ramayana. Sita as a character faced many ordeals in her life but overcame them with her dedication, asceticism, valor and morality. The book “The Forest of Enchantments” by Chitra Divakaruni gave me insights into the strong character that Sita plays. 

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

I cannot point out to just one person to answer this question. My family and friends are always there to pick me up when I fall and they always set examples that persuade me to attempt to be a better version of myself, each day.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?

By far, my favorite movie is “The Pursuit of Happyness”. The title of the movie should persuade you enough to want to watch it.

 

What role plays art in my life and work?

I believe art is ubiquitous. Life without art would not just be boring but also hard to imagine. Art revolves around my life and work, not just in design but also in philosophy.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ mean to me?

I do believe that we are the choices we make and hence, find it apt to say that ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’. I am also of the opinion that while a lot of things do not happen as per your plans, sometimes that is for the best and I truly believe in the saying, “Everything happens for a reason”.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

I do believe myself to be a loner and despite having many friends who have been my partner in crime on many occasions, I seek the most advice from myself. 

Which people or companies would I like to work in 2020?

This is a long shot, but I hope to meet and work for #Jeff Weiner someday, as I find his strategy of connecting professionals not only extremely productive but also inspiring. I would also love to work in one of the following publishing houses, if given a chance: Penguin Ireland, Maverick House, Hachette Ireland, The Liffey Press, Irish Academic Press, University College Dublin press and the Appletree Press. 

Which people in my profession who can make a real difference in my creative career would I love to meet in 2020?

I would love to meet or at least attend talks of inspirational leaders such as #Michelle Obama, #Robin Sharma, #Jeff Weiner, #Sundar Pichai, #Satya Nadella, #Ratan Tata and #Jeff Bezos. 

What project, in 2020, am I looking forward to work on?

I would love to be part of an environment where I can use my skills as a writer and researcher. At the moment, I am open to different opportunities and am not particularly constraining myself to a particular field or project. Words can be very impactful and hence, I would like to write content that would make a difference to people not just on the professional front but also to a personal extent.

Where can you see me or my work in 2020?

I currently reside in Dublin; Ireland and you will find me most active on my LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividya-devadas-518545bb/ where I intend to post my stories and my work.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

To live a pleasant life, one must have a purpose in life and to be able to attach your purpose to a passion can take you a long way.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?

I would love to hear the story of Mariam Henna, Michael Varghese, Abhishekh Gopurathinkal, Nandita Raghunath , Mansi Gupta and Anandita Rao

Here follows a message of Peter de Kuster, founder of The Heroine’s Journey