Vivek Atray, Author & TEDx Motivational Speaker:
The year 2023 was tempestuous in many ways, but then every year of this era is like that, isn’t it? We learned, we grew (hopefully only in the mind) and we batted against the short pitched stuff as ably as we could.2024 promises new hope, new joys and an enfoldment of excitement in several creative realms…My best wishes to all my friends, both young and young at heart, for an utterly unforgettable and fabulous New Year!
Rajesh Kansal, Advocate, Punjab & Haryana High Court:
In the upcoming year, my resolution is to cultivate resilience and gratitude. I aim to face challenges with a positive mindset, using setbacks as opportunities for growth. Health takes precedence, as I commit to regular exercise and nourishing my body with wholesome choices. Professionally, I aspire to enhance my skills and pursue opportunities that align with my passions. Personal connections will be cherished, fostering deeper bonds with loved ones. Each day will be a chance to learn, thrive, and contribute positively to my life and the lives of others.
Renuka Salwan, Former Director Public Relations, Panjab University
Chandigarh & PR professional:
2023 has been a gratifying year. Made friends for a lifetime. Contributed to my profession in my way. I am stepping into this New Year without resolutions but open to experiment, explore and embrace new ideas and opportunities. Staying healthy is my priority and would practice mindful eating and more exercise. Say Goodbye to drama and toxic people. Say YES to happiness, friends and love in 2024!!!!Wishing everyone a sparkling New Year.
Capt (DR) Vimal Vibhakar (Retd), Indian Navy Officer &Professor of General Surgery:
For a fulfilling new year – 2024 – my resolution is to intertwine mental health and physical fitness into the fabric of my daily life. I have always loved to engage in regular exercise not just as a means of physical well-being but also as a powerful tool to boost my mental health. So, I strongly aim to continue the practice along with carving out moments for self-reflection too.
Khushwant Singh, Former State Information Commissioner, Punjab & Author:
Personally, this year brought numerous changes as I stepped down from the position of State Information Commissioner, Punjab. Returning to the world I left five years ago, I observed Punjab’s political narrative at its lowest ebb, almost tribal. Nationally, people have not only grown more intolerant towards each other’s views but also increasingly gullible and irrational. In December, I embarked on a 100 km walk to address the escalating menace of drugs in Punjab. It saddens me to witness the people of a state where even smoking was taboo go down this path.
Anju Mehta, Educationist:
Well, as I stand at the threshold of 2024, it surely makes me reminisce about the year gone by! A year that was marked by new challenges, immense learning, great joy, and moments of pride as also humility! It was a year of interacting with new people and forging new friendships that brought in its wake, not only intellectual stimulation but also loud guffaws! It was a year of outings and spreading cheer! It was a year that I would look back at with an attitude of gratitude!!I am looking forward to the next year with optimism and hope of fulfilling greater goals, venturing to exciting places, and enabling richer experiences! I am surely going to make every day count!
Sarvdeep Singh, Founder International Institute of Printing Technology:
In the New Year, I envisage to transform challenges into opportunities, navigating the business landscape with innovative flair. I’ll try and sculpt success with calculated risks, refine strategies with a visionary lens, and curate a dynamic team that echoes synergy. This year, my resolution is to orchestrate a symphony of triumph in the business realm.
Lily Swarn, Poet & Author:
Yet It’s never easy to let bygones be bygones. Each present moment is laced with the fragrance or stench of whatever left imprints on our hearts, minds and souls. The most notable difference of 2023 was the slow easing out from the horrors and terrors of the global pandemic. Online gradually became real life although this new way of life had emerged as a distinct possibility. The realms of literature, arts, science and technology had revolutionary changes. Nonfiction books became trendy and huge shoes made an appearance on catwalks. Climate changes were apparent from mind boggling heat waves, droughts, floods and fires, as also in the rate of ice melt. I was personally delighted and honored to be bestowed with the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi award for the Best Book (poetry) for my book Rippling Moonbeams.
It was a joy to earn the title of International Beat Poet Laureate (India) 2023 by the International Beat Society based in USA. I also published my eighth book The Divine Dialect of Flowers. It is being acknowledged as a Masterpiece and has been nominated by the Panorama International Festival for the Golden Book award. There is much to thank the Almighty powers for. On a personal level, I discovered lovely humans and made warm connections. A trip to the Kullu Manalihills was the high point of this year as it brought me closer to nature in its raw form. It is surreal that we stood on the bridge in Manikaran Sahib Gurdwara just a few days before it was shattered by floods.
New year‘s day is not without mixed emotions for me. It is this day, the 1st of January that we lost our young 23 year old son. With his passing away, a new chapter unfolded in our lives. I learnt to live without his wide grin and sparkling tawny eyes. I celebrate his short life as I dance to some heady music. Reciting the holy verses from the Guru Granth Sahib is a part of ushering in the New Year. I hope to be a better version of myself as I shall try and will myself to let go of ego, anger and jealousy, it’s a battle that is tough to fight. The world is changing with new social patterns. I hope I can be more open about fighting racism and make my antiwar voice heard with my attempts at peace poetry. I open up myarms to whatever mysteries and goodies the New Year has to offer. The secret paths will unfold to my own music as I trudge towards the vast unknown.
Sahar, Life coach and Master trainer of metaphysical therapies:
Even though in the profession of Life coaching, I must admit I do not set resolutions, I don’t follow the norm & I live rather a free spirited life. It may sound cliché but I do live life on my own terms which includes the professional space too. As a life coach my job is to facilitate people to remain focus & follow through their aspirations with determined action, yet to ensure and be watchful not to allow them to be consumed with results, instead to be certain about it. This can only be possible if we are certain about both the self & the vision.
I also need to not only walk the path but be the path. Hence, I decided that 2023 would be a year, I would be closest to myself, a year of inner transformation more than any other year & as I worked with my clients, I worked doubly hard on myself. I decided 2023 was about less of everything else & more of me. So, I cut down on work, cut down on unnecessary social interactions, I even cut down my reading & consuming information from the outside & chose to turn within.
It was uncomfortable & scary to begin with. I needed constant reminders &self-affirming inner dialogues to stay focused on the unusual in this age of fast track life, where from food to fame everything seems to have a way of reaching you & to move away in equal speed if not faster. I am glad I did it. I slowly began to see how much the quality of my life, my work, the type of associations, clients and overall sense of fulfillment& contentment changed. I would call year 2023 a year of an advance treasure hunt. It was so worth it.Having experienced the taste of slow down process, I am committed to a 2024 that wouldbe smoother & more fulfilling. And I have only one formula for it; ‘THE KISS’ formula: Keep it SUPER Simple.
Surpeet Singh, Founder & CEO, PCHPL Group:
2023 has been a very eventful year for the world altogether. We have seen two major wars effecting the entire world. Be it the Russia-Ukraine continuing war or the Israel-Hamas war. Wars like these divide the world into two parts. Whereas India has again emerged to be the ambassador for peace by successfully hosting the G20 summit & propagating the slogan “Vasudeva Kutumbukam” i.e. One Earth, One Family, One Future. All I can say is that there are millions of things which divide us on daily basis, be it nationality, religion, color, caste, opinions etc. but what unites us is that we are Human Beings first & killing each other & mother earth will destroy our race eventually. So let’s live together cordially & learn to coexist peacefully &along with it preserving our Mother Earth.
Diljot, Film actress & Social Worker:
It is always a nostalgic moment to share about the year gone by and an optimism for the year coming ahead. Reflecting on 2023, it has been a great year for me where I had been blessed with doing what I love doing; few film projects released and shot for new ones; surrounded with loved ones, cherished love and warmth and a bliss of good health. Spent moments of kindness and joy with the needy and a feeling of gratification with all that I have been blessed with. About the resolution for 2024, I wish to continue on the path of my creative journey with utmost dedication and passion, continue focusing on the journey of my physical and mental well-being and spreading happiness, cheer and joys around me. I wish to be aligned and surrounded with positive, optimistic and passionate people.
Mubarak Sandhu, Author & Poet:
I would like to end 2023 on a very positive note, considering it another fruitful year of my life and I expect 2024 to be equally good to me, if not better. I resolve to embrace change with courage, nurture meaningful connections, and pursue personal growth. May each day be a step towards a more mindful, fulfilling life.
Kamaljeet Kaur, Entrepreneur:
“I resolve to prioritize self-care, embrace challenges with confidence, and foster meaningful connections with those around me in the coming year.”