Technology has always been an enabler for OmniActive Health Technologies MD

Technology has become like air for Sanjaya Mariwala, Executive Chairman and Managing Director at OmniActive Health Technologies.

"It's around us all the time and has become an integral part of our lives. The last few months have added a different nuance. Though I am an early adopter of technology, it is during this lockdown that I am learning more applications and software that probably, I would not have otherwise. Technology is always an enabler for me. Different apps help me in prioritising, calendarising, at times even choosing wisely, and thus allowing me to keep my average screen time to only 3.5 hours a day," he tells ET Panache.

Gadget reliance
"I can't live without my phone and laptop. Though both are synced and almost everything is accessible on both devices, I prefer a laptop to work on excel spreadsheets and important documents. Gadgets to me are not for reducing work, but instead are tools that let me to do more. They keep me productive, relevant, and timely," he says.


Go to
The Apple interface fascinated Mariwala since the beginning. Apple resonates with originality and innovation, and both are close to his heart.

"I am using iPhone XR right now. The phone plays multiple roles for me – a trustworthy aid, companion, communication centre, and also of a secretary. Some rules are a must, and I make sure to stay away from the phone after 8 pm. It is a strict no on the dining table and when it's my time with family. While the phone is like a lifeline, it can be a disturbance too. To let it be my tool to effectiveness, I always keep my phone on silent mode. It allows me to use it at my discretion," he says.

Mariwala just got himself a new gadget: Lumen; it analyses his air capacity and tracks his exercise routine.

"I am just getting used to it," he adds.

App use
Mariwala uses apps to help him work better. "Reminders makes sure that I meet all my commitments without any delay. It's one of the simplest yet the most productive apps and, I feel everyone should use it along with the
calendar. Using both apps effectively will make sure of neither underperformance nor overcommitment," he shares.

Nothing can be better than music to switch-off, and Mariwala's go-to is Sonos.

"I sometimes really wonder how everything is possible from one single device; whether it's a TV remote or controlling the music system, everything can be synced and operated from mobile," he says.

Fitness gadgets
Initially, Mariwala was hesitant in using any health apps and was more inclined to stick to the traditional ways.

"But as I said, technology, if used wisely, is a great enabler. Apple Watch is always on my wrist, and I am also exploring Lumen now. Some of the analyses that it gives are phenomenal. We always measured sleep in terms of hours and least cared about the
quality. But these apps and assessments that it provides are adding different dimensions to health. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that these tools and apps are promoting the science of preventive care," he says.

Hardware update
Early this year, Mariwala got the Cisco WebEx screen installed at home, specifically for the interoffice VCs.

"This investment proved its worth during this pandemic and lockdown. I also use Jabber as an intercom between all my colleagues. This app lets me connect to every office member by dialling their intercom numbers like I would do if in office," he says.