‘What have I achieved this year?’ A peoples’ perspective on the year that just passed by

Rachana Ramesh | NT

Bengaluru: While the New Year brings hope, it is the time to make resolutions. It is also the time when people look back to the days in the previous year, and take note of the significant achievements, may it be in their career or personal lives.

News Trail spoke to a few residents from the city to find out if they had crossed a few things from their must do checklist. Subhradeep Datta’s biggest achievement of 2022 has been successful completion of his cadetship at the merchant navy. The merchant navy is a fleet of ships that transport heavy products from one country to another.

In order to be certified as an officer, one must complete a three year course and spend over 12 months on the sea, which is usually done in two contracts. “I did 16 months and completed my cadetship. It was adventurous and replete with numerous experiences,” Datta said. The first time he went on board, he would think twice before fiddling with things, but no more so.

‘Now, the sea feels like a second home,’ he said, explaining why he thinks of it as an achievement. Navigating through relationships among his superiors and gelling with a new crowd away from family was a task, Datta pointed out.

“Everything is a risk on board. I am proud to have made it back safely,” he said and explained that the next step for Subhradeep is to appear for his exams and a surveyor from the government will then approve him as an officer.

“I wanted to read more in Kannada and ended up starting a Kannada reading club. The club has taken off to an unstable start but we are determined to make it work in the New Year. I don’t know if this is interesting enough but I am very glad about this thing when I look back,” said Poorna R, an advocate.

Farhan Gheta, a journalism student from Christ college said that he worked towards his previous year’s resolution which was to click more photographs. Having a keen interest in photography, Farhan likes to “freeze a moment”. He has not done a professional course in photography but had spent a semester in college where photojournalism was one of the subjects, invoking his interests.

Gheta has taken over 2000 photographs this year, most of which are of urban infrastructure in the city – may it be roads or buildings along with views from bridges and skywalks.

“I attended the Bharat Jodo Yatra, when the Yatra was moving through Karnataka in the Mandya district. I consider it an achievement as I fended for my own means to reach the remote village where it commenced, in order to showcase my solidarity with the motive before the walk,” said an individual who wished to be anonymous.

“A few hours into the yatra, it led to conversations with people from all walks of life, who could be found voluntarily walking, against hatred and division. It gave me a sense of relief and hope, and helped me move out of the cynical zone of thought,” she added.