As part of the Digital Wellness initiative in Kolkata, the service journey extended into the professional sphere through an initiative associated with The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI-EIRC). The session connected the concept of Digital Wellness with the wider spirit of Nasha Mukt Bharat, exploring the changing nature of dependency in today’s digital age.
The session expanded the understanding of dependency beyond substances to include behavioural dependencies, such as excessive and compulsive digital consumption. In today’s “always-on” culture, emails, social media, messaging platforms, virtual meetings and professional applications continuously compete for an individual’s time and attention.
For future Cost Accountants, the discussion connected Digital Wellness with the broader themes of value creation and nation-building. As professionals who will contribute to organisations, industries and the economy, participants were encouraged to reflect on a simple yet significant question:
“How much value am I creating through the time I spend on my phone?”
The concept of visible cost versus hidden cost was also explored. While the visible costs of a smartphone may include its purchase price, data and subscriptions, the hidden costs can include lost time, distraction, reduced concentration, lower productivity and missed opportunities for learning and development.
Participants were therefore encouraged to look at their smartphones from a Cost Accountant’s perspective and ask: “Is my phone an asset or a liability?” When technology is used for learning, skill development, productivity, professional growth and value creation, it can become an asset. However, when it consumes valuable time and attention without creating meaningful value, it can become a liability.
The session encouraged future Cost Accountants to practise conscious connectivity and use technology as an instrument for their own growth and development, professional excellence, value creation and ultimately nation-building.
The professional message of the session was clear:
“High performance requires not continuous connectivity, but conscious connectivity.”
