“Today I choose to live with gratitude for the love that fills my heart, the peace that rests within my spirit, and the voice of hope that says all things are possible.” –  Anonymous

This is the time of the year when I get into the introspection mode; 2022 is almost on its way to bid us farewell. The lessons that I learnt this year can be summarised in three words ‘collaboration, connection and clarity.

This year has been a year of realisations both on the personal and professional fronts. Have seen the elders facing health challenges and how the next gen steps up as care givers. While we do all what we can; we are grateful for the blessings of our parents. You never grow old when your parents are around. Health is truly the wealth that needs to be protected, preserved and enhanced.

Gratitude is also due, to the spouse for always standing by and being the unwavering rock solid support system. Children add so much more to your life; they make you live all emotions -be it love, care, concern, for that matter even anger. I have realised that it’s important for an individual to express all that he or she feels within; that emotional release is vital. We all know what bottled up emotions can do; they are enough to create havoc in our lives. Children give hope and make living normal which is how it should naturally be. Being grateful for my children and for all that they give me in return. Extended family and office colleagues who are also a family; have always been accommodative and have chipped in whenever there was a need or I needed a kind word of support or encouragement. My heart is full of gratitude for them.  Friends near or far have connected and picked up conversations from where we left the previous time. You don’t need to tell friends they know where you are coming from, that’s the kind of friends I am blessed with. I cherish them and moments spent with them.

There have been recognitions flowing in abundance; this year will go down as a year full of awards and accolades right from ‘Woman Leader in Hospitality’  to the ‘Educator of the year 2022’ or the dream that is the ‘Guiness World Record’; I don’t know whether I deserve them but then those organisations have been generous considering me worthy of the felicitations. I am truly humbled and accept each one of them with all grace and humility; they inspire me to continue doing my work with all sincerity and contribute in my best ability trying to make the difference wherever I can. Six big awards look like a dream and I have seen the happiness and pride in my in law’s eyes when I took them home. The blessings they showered will be something that I will always cherish. To them I am a superstar; again I don’t think that’s what I am but their love makes me feel lucky and the chosen one indeed.

My very close to heart project the IWH – Indian women in Hospitality, has collaborated with more organisations and forums as industry/ eco system partner; the latest being AAHAR WAYS. I am grateful to every lady who brings that energy and enthusiasm to IWH. They all mean more than words can ever express. As a community we have made our mark, that’s a reason to be hugely grateful about. My gratitude is also to the Economic Times Hospitality World and BW Hotelier for giving us a platform to voice our opinions and concerns.

I am  grateful to the Asian Countries Chamber of Hospitality Industry (ACOHI) for having me onboard as a board member. I am honoured and am truly looking forward to contributing to the best of my abilities towards the exemplary work it is doing for the hospitality industry. The onus is on us to bring about the changes that we wish for our industry. What better platform than this? I feel I am blessed to have got the opportunity to be a part of this revolution.

The icing on the cake will be the opportunity I got to visit my husband’s ship for the first time. My gratitude is to his company the Thome Group and its Mumbai office. It has been a learning experience through and through. Special thanks to Mr. Chetan Bhandari and to Thome Group for finding my journey as a seafarer’s wife worthy of highlighting it across their media channels and to Ms. Bharati Bhandarkar for always showing encouragement and hugely motivating us. I am truly humbled by seeing my story on BSN (Bhandarkar Shipping News).

Gratitude is an emotion that helps us make sense of our past, accept our present and have a vision for our future. This year has been very kind and people in my circles have been more than generous. I am thankful to each one of them for having touched my life in many ways.

Here’s to a great year we have had and to a very happy and prosperous 2023! Wishing everyone health, happiness, love and light!

PS: Pictures are taken from Google with due credits.