A Year of Growth, Resilience, and Unforeseen Achievements: My 2024 Journey

As 2024 draws to a close, I’m reflecting on a year that has been nothing short of transformative—one that defied expectations, pushed boundaries, and shaped my personal and professional growth in profound ways. For a 19-year-old, this year has been a whirlwind of incredible experiences, from achieving milestones I once thought impossible to navigating setbacks that tested my resilience. From running marathons and presenting cutting-edge research at international conferences to overcoming challenges that taught me the true meaning of perseverance, every moment has contributed to the person I am today. In this article, I’ll share the key moments of my journey throughout 2024, highlighting the lessons learned, the growth achieved, and the deep sense of gratitude I feel as I close this chapter and look ahead to the future.

January: A Marathon of Milestones

January set the tone for an unforgettable year, starting with my second full marathon at the Tata Mumbai Marathon, where I completed the challenging 42km. After three months of intense recovery from past injuries, this race was a significant personal achievement. The journey to Mumbai was a solo train trip, providing me time to reflect on my progress.

Crossing the finish line with my best marathon time to date was exhilarating, but the real reward came afterward—my first bite of rice in three months, a long-awaited indulgence. This marathon was also my first race away from home, making the experience even more special.

It was a perfect start to 2024, marking not just physical strength, but a new chapter in my journey of growth and self-discovery.

March: A Life-Changing Meeting with Ankur Warikoo

March brought an unforgettable experience—meeting my favorite influencer, Ankur Warikoo , for the second time. I had the privilege of getting his book, How to Make Epic Money, signed by the man himself. Ankur’s words, “Do epic shit” and “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no,” have always inspired me, and meeting him in person was a reminder of how impactful his guidance has been in my journey.

Exchanging a few words with him that day was both exciting and humbling. I left with signed copies of his books, which have since become even more meaningful as a reminder to always aim higher and keep pushing myself toward greatness.

March and April: A Journey Across India and My First Solo International Trip

March and April were defined by travel—an adventure that took me across India and beyond. It all started with trips to Mumbai and Delhi for visa slots, preparing for an unexpected but incredible opportunity: a sudden, unplanned trip to the US for the California Entrepreneurship Educators Conference (CEEC 2024).

April then marked the best part—my first solo international trip. I began with a three-day tour in Dubai, soaking in the city's unique charm, before flying to Los Angeles. From there, I headed to San Diego for the conference, where I had the incredible honor of presenting my research in front of people from top universities, professors, and PhD holders. It was a surreal experience, something I had only dreamed of. I will forever be grateful to @Jayashree for making this opportunity possible.

For a 19-year-old, looking at the other side of the world felt like an unbelievable experience. After the conference, I spent the next 10 days exploring the streets of Vegas, LA, and San Francisco—a whirlwind of unforgettable moments, new connections, and personal growth. It was a journey that changed me forever and expanded my horizons in ways I never thought possible.

May: Exploring the Kerala Startup Ecosystem at AIC IIIT Kottayam

May brought a surprise opportunity when I reached out to Mittu Tigi on a random day, asking how I could spend my summer holidays productively. Without hesitation, he invited me to join the AIC-IIITKottayam internship. In just 36 hours, I found myself in the hills of Kottayam, joining the team and diving into the world of startups.

The experience at AIC-IIITKottayam was nothing short of incredible. Staying in a hostel with Aravind Saji , who became more like a brother during this time, made it all the more memorable. I had the chance to explore the Kerala startup ecosystem, gaining invaluable insights and hands-on experience.

A huge thank you to Mittu Sir for this amazing opportunity—spending those 2-3 weeks in the heart of Kerala was one of the best ways to make use of my summer holidays. After that, I returned to Hyderabad to rejoin my DRDO internship, which I had to leave midway. This month was a perfect blend of learning, exploration, and personal growth.

June and July: A Packed Schedule and the Exhaustion of College Life

June and July were incredibly packed with college assignments, exams, and the usual hustle of student life. It was an exhausting time, with little room for anything else. But as always, the grind continued.

August: The Hyderabad Marathon and Its Aftermath

Then came August—the Hyderabad Marathon on the 25th, just three days after my exams ended. With no training for the race and having not run for five months, I had gained a fair amount of weight. Despite all the setbacks, I managed to finish the marathon, and the sense of accomplishment was overwhelming. However, it didn't take long to realize the consequences: within two days, I couldn’t even stand on my own. A visit to the doctor confirmed my fears—both my feet had microfractures, and I was advised to rest for 1-2 months.

What concerned me most, though, was that I had to attend the Rakathon Finals with Rachit Das and Nikhil Guru Venkatesh , neither of whom knew about my condition. On September 3rd, despite the pain, I went to Bangalore in a wheelchair. It was a challenging experience, but also a memorable and fun one—definitely an adventure that I won’t forget.

September and October: Recovery and Reflection

After returning, I was on strict bed rest for the next two months. September and October were dedicated to full recovery, focusing on getting back on my feet and being able to walk without pain. It was a tough period, but I kept reminding myself that recovery was just another step in the journey, one that would make me stronger.

November: The Unexpected Victory – My First Hackathon Win

November brought the unexpected—a win in my first hackathon of the year! Although we had made it to many finals throughout the year, this was the moment that mattered. At Hack Wave at SNIST, our team built a mental health website, which ultimately secured us the 25K prize.

This victory was especially memorable, not just for the achievement, but for the incredible team I had the privilege of working with—Komal, Prabath, and Sathwik. Without their dedication, creativity, and support, this win wouldn’t have been possible.

December: The Ultimate SIH 2024 Win – "Canon Crew: From Chaos to Championship"

The highlight of my year came in December, when my team, Canon Crew, won the Smart India Hackathon 2024. The journey to victory was filled with unexpected challenges, starting with a delayed flight and a complete system crash during the competition. Despite facing 12 hours of setbacks, we pushed through, working relentlessly to recover and deliver a solution.

In the final moments, we pulled off a miracle, turning what seemed impossible into reality. When the winners were announced, hearing "Canon" was a surreal moment that made all the sleepless nights and pressure worth it.

A huge shoutout to my incredible team— Nikhil Guru Venkatesh , Srujan Landeri ,

Mohammad Arshad Ali , Prerana Yekkele , and Govind Daliya . This win wasn’t just about the title; it was about the journey and the teamwork that made it possible. Here's to Canon Crew, our first hackathon victory, and to what lies ahead!

Overall, 2024 has been an absolutely incredible year—full of unexpected twists and turns, with more highs and lows than I could have imagined. If you had told me in January 2024 that I'd be where I am today, I wouldn’t have believed it. It's surreal to think about the journey I’ve had, especially as a 19-year-old. A huge thank you to everyone—friends, family, colleagues, and all those who supported me throughout this adventure. I’ll be reaching out to each one of you personally.

I’m wrapping up the year with a published article, a research paper, a research presentation, being a 2x marathoner, and a 2-time hackathon winner. As 2025 approaches, I’m looking forward to a year of consistency, growth, and learning. My recovery has been going well, and I’m ready to dive back into work, college, sports, and everything else. Here's to a great start to 2025. Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year and all the best for what lies ahead!