For 33 years, Mumbai-based Hemant Lagu was content climbing the corporate ladder. This, of course, meant that he was left with little time to nurture his passion: yoga. A decade into retirement, yoga has finally become a primary preoccupation, if not occupation.
He teaches yoga even as he continues to earn a neat package from his freelance accountancy. "I always wanted to teach yogic breathing exercises and meditation. Though I found time to practice it occasionally, I couldn't do more till I quit my job," he says.
After bagging a commerce degree from Chetana College at Bandra in 1970, Lagu started his accounting career with a small, private company. "For the next three years, I job-hopped before joining as an account assistant at RCF, earlier known as Fertilizer Corporation of India," he shares. The following year, he enrolled himself in a part-time master's (commerce) course from Mumbai University while holding on to his day job. "In 1976, I accepted an offer from Voltas for the post of a senior accountant.
During the six years with this company, I gained a lot of experience in the payroll accounting system," he says. Between 1982 and 1994, Lagu steadily climbed the ranks as he switched three jobs, working for companies as varied as ICM Computers, an agrochemical firm and an advertising agency.
He reached the peak of his career in 1994, when he joined as the head of accounts at ATC Clearing & Shipping. "The company owned several subsidiary and group companies and I was responsible for taking care of all the accounts," says Lagu.
Through these years, he kept learning yoga, finding time to attend various courses and reading up on the subject. "I learnt yoga from the Brahmavidya Sadhak Charitable Trust in 1992, which teaches people relaxing techniques through simple breathing and meditation.
I also started teaching the institute's students free of charge in July 1999," he says. However, his work did not leave him with time to pursue it further. "In 2003, after my daughter got married, I was free of financial commitments.
So I decided to quit my job and start my own business," he adds. His wife, who was teaching in a government-aided school at the time, also supported his decision. He had no doubt about the business idea he would work on. "Having been with various organisations, I was well-versed with all types of accounting techniques.
So I naturally thought of doing something in the same field," he explains. Interestingly, his first freelance job landed in his lap thanks to his former employer. According to Lagu, when he went to submit his resignation letter, his senior offered him his first business opportunity. "ATC Clearing & Shipping was looking for an accountant for one of their subsidiary companies.
