Reflections 2023

As the curtain draws on the concluding year, it prompts a natural inclination for retrospection, urging contemplation on the swift passage of time and the myriad experiences that have defined the journey. The inaugural moments of the year, marked by the celebration of the New Year at the iconic Sydney Opera House, set a tone for a year brimming with diverse and cherished experiences.

?

Social Reflections: The year unfolded with a tapestry of vibrant social experiences, spanning diverse geographies. Noteworthy among these were trips to Mumbai, where familial bonds were strengthened while celebrating Anay's milestone 15th birthday. Neel Chakraborty’s hosting of the event was super engaging for the guests. Red and while themed pictures came just right. Next was Europe, exploring the scenic beauty of Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria. Each destination left an indelible mark, be it the captivating Segway tour in Budapest or the enchanting Hot air balloon ride and shopping in Prague.

Memorable moments were also etched during a familial visit to Kolkata for a joyous wedding celebration, and a delightful escapade to Azerbaijan with friends, where camaraderie took precedence over the destination itself. The Scandinavian sojourn to Denmark and Sweden in July was marked by spontaneous exploration, underscoring the charm of cities like Copenhagen, navigated on foot, and the lure of summer sales in Stockholm and Copenhagen.

Visit to Tirupati Balaji temple was another blissful event which gave us chance to rekindle old family ties in Chennai. Significant personal and familial milestones punctuated the year, including the unique experience of attending a wedding in Mumbai while residing in a hotel within one's hometown.

Our wedding anniversary in January surprise by friends where wedding scenes were re-created was super fun and nostalgic moments. Organising our friends silver wedding anniversary in May was quite a fun and learning experience. The entire 6-8 weeks preceding the event was good camaraderie and bonding amongst friends. At the same time participating whole heartedly in Mahesh Navami event by Maheshwari samaj was informative and fun. Importance of rituals in Hindu (specially Maheshwari weddings) were revisited. Baby shower ceremony organisation was pampering the new would-be mother and father with masti and entertainment that goes with it.. Overall, I added 8 new countries this year on my travel journey taking the total count to 63. Still a long way to go to cover the entire world...

?

Professional Insights: Professionally, the year bore witness to an enriching international foray, commencing with efforts in Brazil to establish a business footprint in Latin America, followed by exploratory first-time visits to Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. Our regular visits to key markets and meeting with suppliers at various conferences always makes us learn new aspects of the business while revitalising the relations with existing stakeholders. We welcome new partners / Shareholders - SABIC AN this year officially on the Board of EIHL . I am confident that the synergy value is going to drive the current business to greater heights in time to come.

Engaging in a Brain Based Coaching certification program by NeuroLeadership Institute illuminated insights into human behaviour, aligning with a keen interest to delve further into this realm in future professional pursuits. Continuous learning remained a cornerstone, with a dedicated focus on management literature and educational content via platforms like LinkedIn.? Gravitas session in Budapest for our team was another successful attempt to emphasize the importance of L&D as part of regular intake in employee’s growth cycle.

Hosting a event in our office with IFA on the side lines of COP28 where various industry partners dwelled on entire Agri value chain gave us newer insights on what’s unfolding next.

Recognition with coveted Gulf Business News by conferring Agri Business Leader of the year Award? 2023 was another feather on the cap.

Despite market fluctuations impacting both professional and personal spheres, the commitment to building on existing business case endured, underscoring adaptability in a dynamic professional landscape. This year has been challenging on the business front with liquidity pressures, competition coming hard, currencies of emerging markets in Africa devaluing and cost of finance going up significantly. With another quarter left in this FY, we are about to start new FY 2025 with another set of challenges surrounding new tax regime that UAE has adopted.

?

Family Reflections: Loss of my grandmother in August made us to reflect on her lineage. Loss is irreparable but her memories and lessons of life are going to be staying with us for ever. I could not attend the funeral but was fortunate to be in the moment when she breath last. Her 15 days of rituals were done with full satisfaction and may she have good time in heavenly abode. She lived her life on her terms and was powerful source of energy to those around us. Last two years she suffered from multiple health issues and was profoundly taken care by my father and mother. This care is rare in today’s world where caretakers usually take care of old age parents. My mother got operated on both knees and while she was getting better, she fell and got the knees ruptured again. Thank God for amazing support of our extended family and good work done by doctors that today she is able to walk pretty comfortably. My father has been a great pillar and support first for his mother and then for his wife. Extremely hard working and therefore fit at 70 – birthday that we celebrated in November with close friends and family among the spiritual atmospheres. Priti- as busy as she is with me, kids , family and friends. Her life revolves around us and we revolve around her. She’s learned and practised more of dance and enthusiasm surrounding it. Organising events with more energy became her theme this year. Children take centre stage in family settings. Both the boys as they are growing are developing their likings and disliking. Pursuit of adventure is common amongst both. Anay is going thru crucial year 11 where foundation is layed for getting into universities and building a robust profile. Still the fight between mind and heart is going within him, I believe. Arth has been spending lot more sleepovers at his friends place this year than ever. We are fortunate to host a lot of friends and family at our home. Together we create memories for ourselves and for others. Afterall life is nothing but a journey of memories.

?

Physical and Mental Well-being: Five elements meditation session by Gurumaa that I attended in September bought us closer to Yoga once again and helped us build routine to practise Yoga which builds both physical and mental fitness. Light exercise at home while getting kids ready for school was also practised. One thought that has now become more vibrant to build routine even during travel – something that I need to build upon in the coming year. This year, there was chunks of cheat days and healthy eating. Even during the day, there was a mix of no eating to getting into eating junk. Food is life and often something we all cherish to have. Eating delicious food is therefore always satisfying. balancing between eating and that of healthy lifestyle is a constant juggle. This year was Adhik mas (additional month as per Hindu calendar also known as Purshottam month which comes after every 3 years) and observing fasting during this period is considered blissful. I did fast during this month, and it helped me reduce some pounds and bought that feeling of cleansing as well.

?

Connections and Relationships: Building meaningful connections with family, friends and colleagues is always a priority and this year was no different. We foster some relations more than others. Being fortunate to travel across and host / meet lot of people sitting in Dubai, connections are constantly made. Some of them are hardwired and therefore does not need lot of energy to activate. The new one’s are relatively lower and that’s where I constantly get in dilemma whether to build more new connections or to continue to maintain existing one. I guess the answer lies based on the connection, relation and at times situation as well.

?

Recreational Pursuits: Leisure activities, including engaging in sports like badminton and card games ( 28), brought a refreshing dimension to life. The evaluation of the time allocated to these pursuits remains a contemplative focus for the upcoming year. For the first time though I managed to watch Money Heist and Suits (season one). Mike Ross really impressed me. I realised why Netflix is doing so well which such a amazing production of series. While I enjoyed the show, I don’t think I will continue watching them any further as fun of watching with the cost of time equation is not working in my favour.

At various other forums, we were fortunate to attend events of famous celebrities like? Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Anupam Kher, Praak, Arijit Singh. Energy of Arijit stole my heart. Great personalities have something to do different than others.

?

Religion and Spirituality: A heightened engagement with religious and spiritual practices marked the year, from the regular practice of Sunder Kand to the profound experience of organizing and participating in Akand Ramayan. First time we practised Akand Ramayan during the month of July ( Adhik Mas). The whole experience of organising the event with friend and family and reading Ramayan gave us a sense of accomplishment. Kartik is another month where we glorify the different lilas of lord Krishna and sing Damodar Aarti. We attended number of such Aarti’s at different houses with delicious prasadam. Post Diwali there was Annkaut bhog with soulful Bhajans hosted at our home by friend group which gave another blissful experience and enjoyment of reciting famous bhajans. Daily practise of mala is something that I have been continuing for past three years. This schedule is not followed though, when I travel which perhaps this coming year, I will have to make it a routine.

?

In conclusion, the reflections on the passing year encapsulate a tapestry woven with diverse threads of social, professional, familial, physical, and spiritual dimensions. As the calendar turns, the learnings garnered serve as a compass for navigating the uncharted terrain of the coming year, rich with new opportunities, challenges, and the promise of continued growth. 2024 I wish should build on the journey of 2023 with more experiences and moments that I could diarize when I reflect for that year.

?