‘This is a creative, timely and valuable book for all adults. It invites us to move from Life 1.0 to Life 2.0; from a life primarily for self and family, to one for society also. It is a call for PSR—Personal Social Responsibility. It gives examples of people who have moved on to Life 2.0, and created legacies which will outlast them. The book shows how you can do it. It is our dharma and duty to do so.’
—Dr Mrityunjay B. Athreya, DBA (Harvard), Padma Bhushan awardee, management advisor and author

‘We have only one life, and most of us examine it only once—towards the end—unless a life-threatening moment forces an examination. Bala’s Life 2.0 provides the opportunity to reflect upon life early on, without an accident! The 12 mandates are powerful triggers that are bound to set you on a new and more meaningful course in your life.’
—Rajendra S. Pawar, Padma Bhushan awardee, co-founder and chairman, NIIT Ltd

‘I found Life 2.0 to be a thoughtful book, rooted in rich personal experiences told with simplicity and authenticity. Take it with you on a weekend retreat...accept its invitation and nudge to reflect on your life and think about how you want to live the rest of it...you will come back enriched and renewed.’
—Professor Rama Bijapurkar, professor, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, thought leader and independent board director

‘Many of us have gone through times when we start to seek a reset on many matters concerning our lives. Bala Shankar has presented a compelling idea that such opportunities should be used to plan and do things that could shape our legacy. As his gentle narrative in Life 2.0 comes with memorable anecdotes, readers will surely find the various ideas highly relevant and practical.’
—Professor Rajendra Srivastava, MBA and PhD, Former dean, Indian School of Business (ISB) and Novartis Professor of Marketing Strategy and Innovation

Bala Shankar is an entrepreneur and writer based in Singapore. Bala has an MBA degree from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and had extended careers in corporate, consulting and university teaching in India, Singapore and the US. Bala worked in various sales, account management and leadership capacities for national and multinational companies. As an adjunct faculty, he was associated with teaching and executive education programmes at leading universities in Singapore. He is a contributor to The Business Times, Singapore, on various business and general topics. Bala published a B2B sales book, Nuanced Account Management: Driving Excellence in B2B Sales, in 2018 and a book on habits for skill-building, The Twelve Habits of Smart Skill-Building: A Code for the Reskilling of You, in 2021. He co-manages a K-12 institution that he co-founded in Singapore. Bala is a lover, writer and critic of Indian classical music. Writing is more than a hobby for Bala now, with a few works in the pipeline.