How are you spending this lockdown period?
The way I assume everyone is — with a healthy dose of cyanide nearby just in case this all gets a little too exciting a time. Other than that, there’s been quite a lot of revelations personally. For a start, dishwashing machines are highly under-valued. I now also believe Roombas are a necessity right up there with health insurance and a Netflix subscription. And another: keeping household plants alive is tougher than walking a tightrope while balancing a load of dishes.
What is the one vehicle you wish you were quarantined with?
The 992 911 Turbo S. It’s my answer to everything nowadays. What an astonishingly beautiful machine.
What is the first thing you intend to do once this situation passes?
See if there’s a chance in hell that I’d get a go in a Turbo S. And get some Pani Puri.
What is the most important thing you’ve realised thanks to this lockdown?
That we’re an inexcusably hungry and insatiable lot. And it’s not just edibles I’m talking about. A case needs to be made to slow stuff down and live within reason. I realise that people like you and me aren’t wholly dependant on physical, manual labour in order to earn a living, and for them an exception should be made, but for everyone else who can ease the clutter out there by staying home? Well, stay home. Consume what you need. Live within reason. Don’t be a half-wit. Thank you for coming to my TedTalk.
Where do you see the automotive industry going after the lockdown?
I’m hardly an expert or authority when it comes to industry analysis, but I’ll have a crack at it anyway: Contrary to what most are saying, I don’t envisage a lengthy recovery period. I liken the situation to the opening of a stressed dam. We’re going to probably buy, consume, and buy again like it’s going out of fashion after the lockdown. I place my faith in humanity that we will not have learned anything with this little pandemic.
Do you expect the government to help? If yes, how?
Not anymore than they have been so far.
How has your company adapted to this situation?
Quite brilliantly. We’ve been on lockdown for a fair while now, even before it was mandated. The higher-ups rightfully didn’t see it fit to endanger the lives of more than 70 people by continuing to work as though nothing’s happened. It’s been frustrating being at home, to say the least, but hey, who knows? If this churns out an all-new way to work from the comfort of our homes, I’m all for it. Commutes are deathly boring anyway.
With the lockdown, has your workload reduced, gone up or remained the same?
Up until now, it’s drastically reduced. Can’t very well produce videos without a camera now, can you? But I see it swinging the opposite way (too?) soon.
Even after the lockdown is over, would you prefer to work from home?
Unequivocally. Sure, I want the freedom of being able to step out to pick up a bag of chips without the threat of a deadly virus consuming me voraciously, but home’s nice. It really is. Heck, maybe I’ll get the hang of how much water plants need someday, too.
