Conquering 2023’s challenges: Reflecting and rising for tomorrow

Also Read: How India’s first Christmas cake was born in Kerala’s Thalassery in 1883

Prioritising health and timely meals

As a scholar dedicated to community-based tourism for Palmyra palm conservation in Southern Tamil Nadu, my extensive travels through local villages involved engaging with communities and experts to gain valuable insights.
Amid these efforts, I unintentionally neglected my well-being.

Preethi aims to focus on cultivating healthier relationships that contribute to sustained well-being. (Supplied)

Upon arriving at Mizoram University on 31 October, I experienced severe abdominal pain. A diagnosis revealed sudden acute pancreatitis and a low platelet count, a recurrence after a similar surgery 12 years ago. While coping with pain was familiar, deciding whether to stay for treatment or move to Chennai became a contemplative process. As my condition worsened and walking became challenging, I eventually chose to relocate to Chennai.

After spending a few more days there, and receiving basic treatment, I’m immensely grateful to friends and teachers in Mizoram, who made me feel at home away from home.

Prioritising timely meals and adequate hydration is a significant change I need to incorporate. I’ve never experienced significant stress, and although travel-induced body pain is occasional, I find enjoyment in the process.

For a healthier 2024, I aim to focus on healthy foods, positive thoughts, reading enriching books, and, most importantly, cultivating healthier relationships that contribute to sustained well-being.

— Preethi Hari Babu, PhD Research Scholar at Mizoram University

Also Read: Is Kochi’s tourism boom threatening local culture?

Not without her family

The year 2023 commenced with a positive outlook, but little did I know that something awaited. My Appa fell ill. What began as a mild cough soon turned into an allergic reaction, causing him to lose consciousness during coughing fits.

Amid all her struggles, Rekha received the Sangeeth Natak Akademi award for her contribution to performing arts. (Supplied)

Both my Amma and I were petrified. As the only daughter with just the three of us at home, I was anxious. I cancelled my shows and a foreign tour, dedicating almost a month and a half to staying with Amma and ensuring Appa’s recovery.

Witnessing Appa bounce back to life was a gratifying experience. As an artiste, cancelling shows was undoubtedly the most challenging part, but as a devoted daughter, it was my greatest test. I am glad I faced it. Despite some gossip mongers spreading rumours that I was lying, only God, Amma, and I knew the reality of the situation.

As I navigated through this challenging period, God bestowed upon me a bundle of happiness and pride in the form of the Central Government Sangeeth Natak Akademi award for “contribution to performing arts.” It was a significant achievement, and what more could our family ask for? My parents witnessed their little daughter receiving this prestigious award with great pride.

As per Shastram and Vedam, Goddess Saraswati may test her devotees, but she also bestows boons in double measure. I am glad that I emerged not only as a devoted daughter but as a resilient human being, and that’s what truly matters.

— Rekha Raju, Mohiniyattam and Bharathanatyam exponent

Also Read: Karnataka bags National Energy Conservation Award 2023

Rewriting confidence in a new city

Challenges, although seen as an essential element for success, are something no one wishes to have in their life. With similar ideas about life, I enrolled into a college in Chennai where the language, food, culture, and even leisure activities were entirely different. I wasn’t unaware of these facts, but I underestimated the intensity of the impact these factors could have on our lives.

Living and studying in a new city, befriending new people, Hariom learnt the importance of education for a larger purpose. (Supplied)

As time passed, it felt like I had made a big mistake; this was not how I imagined my college life. Adding to these thoughts, one of my very best old friends abruptly informed me that we could not be friends anymore. On one hand, I was struggling to make new friends in this city, and on the other, I was losing my friends back at home in Bihar. I felt a vacuum.

I confided in one of my college professors. She attentively heard me out and suggested that it’s not detrimental to indulge in activities like going out, watching movies, or allowing oneself leisure time. She recommended a book titled Educated by Tara Westover.

Though it felt like any other motivational mantra, this time I had lost myself, hence I took these suggestions seriously. I began to explore the city alone and meet new people. I made time for playing badminton and watching movies without feeling guilty about wasting time. Once I got the book, I read it within a week.

Gradually, my inclination towards complaining or overthinking faded, while my proactive self strengthened with each passing day.

I understood the importance of education for a different purpose than I had previously understood — beyond just a means for a career. I gained an interest in reading books on philosophy and understood the book’s insights about society and myself through deeper understanding.

— Hariom Kumar, student 

Also Read: Bengaluru Airport’s Terminal 2 earns UNESCO recognition 

Living beyond resistance

Reflecting on 2023, it was a year of personal transformation. After a separation of over 2 years, the year concluded with the finality of divorce. While this brought relief from lingering uncertainty, it was unexpected to find myself solely responsible for my son, who is soon turning 6. Yet, throughout it all, I never went a day without essentials — food, clothing, and shelter. I am immensely grateful to the universe for sending disguised angels who ensured I slept peacefully each night.

Srinidhi’s trials and tribulations taught her that life persists despite all its challenges. (Supplied)

After 8 months of unemployment, I began consulting for a company in April. Transitioning from a 7-year stint as a corporate employee to starting anew in a different industry posed significant challenges.

What fueled my resilience was the knowledge that my son solely relies on me — I had to be his father, mother, friend, and confidant. Slowly, I found healing. However, amid this journey, an unexpected loss struck in October— my grandpa, the one who raised me before my parents. Grieving has been difficult as I’ve hardly had the time to process this loss.

Each day is a whirlwind — cooking, providing for my son, managing household chores, and work. Yet, life persists, no matter what unfolds.

I have no regrets about any of the decisions made, except for the realisation that our broken relationship was never allowed to acknowledge its flaws and work towards healing.

— Srinidhi Raghavan, Consultant – Branding

Also Read: Hoysala temples listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site

Cultivating kindness

Losing my dad was the hardest experience I faced this year. More so, considering how abrupt and unanticipated it was. You tend to see parents as individuals who are immortal and there in your life, decade after decade. Our dad was always there for us.

Steffi’s loss taught her to be present for sad occasions and show up for people during times of sorrow and crises. (Supplied)

He championed all our decisions and was a true feminist dad. He always made it a point to pick us up when we travelled, call us on every special occasion, buy groceries that we enjoyed the most, relish good food together, and join us in all rants from sports to politics.

His demise has taught me to reassess priorities. This period has also taught me to remember while it is all fun and easy to join and celebrate happy occasions, it is equally important to be present for sad occasions and show up for people during times of sorrow and crises.

Entering a new year without a loved one is hard, but I hope to be more engaged for the community that has always been there for me. It serves as a reminder to cultivate kindness wherever I choose to be involved, be it at work or in an academic setting or any other endeavour, as you never know who might be going through a difficult time or dealing with grief.

—  Steffi Cherian

Also Read: Where did Hyderabad’s trailblazing women Station House Officers go?

Focus on the process

It was a sunny July day, this year, when I received a message from my HR asking to connect on a call. My manager was also a part of the call. Little did I realise that I was going to be laid off. It was an absolute shocker, especially having received recognition for my work a week before this call. I usually don’t cry much, but without realising, the tears started to roll out. Though I worked only for two years, I strived to create reports to close down customers for our product. My parents haven’t seen me cry for years and they were worried.

My short-term goal was to pursue an MBA from a reputed business school. So, I tried pursuing that and got an interview invite to the best B-School in the country. Unfortunately, that didn’t go well, and I was rejected.

I have been a Grade A student all my life and, hence, facing rejections was new to me. Soon, I started applying for jobs through LinkedIn, Naukri, etc. There were countless rejections, which evoked self-doubts. I didn’t want to share my sorrows because I didn’t want to seem weak. But I reached a threshold and started talking with my friends, without whom the struggle would’ve been much worse.

Cut to December, I was in a dilemma, a good one. I had three offers from great companies and I got to choose the one where I wanted to join three years back. I started just a couple of days back and I hope that it will be a fruitful journey.

Though 2023 was the worst year, I learnt an important lesson on how to face rejections. Among a myriad of amazing quotes from MS Dhoni, this one stood out during the torrid phase: ‘Focus on the controllables and the process, not on the result’.

It’s easier said than done for sure, but we can only control the controllables. Everything else will fall in place; it will have to.

— Anthony David*, business analyst