Reflecting on 2024

New years get people in a reflective mood, and I wanted to share some personal thoughts about how it has gone so far, and some of the things I’ve done and learned along the way.

I welcomed 2024 amidst the serene beauty of the mountains, a setting that profoundly influenced me. That trip inspired me to sign up for a long-dreamed mountaineering course at HMI (Himalayan Mountaineering Institute) in Darjeeling. Later in the year, I completed the course, diving deep into the technicalities of mountaineering, rock climbing, practicing on the Rathong Glacier, and even climbing the 5,000m Mount Renok. It was a transformative experience that taught me resilience, teamwork, and the sheer joy of pushing physical and mental boundaries.

The year began on a high note with my long due promotion to Principal Engineer. It’s been a journey, filled with challenges that allowed me to grow and contribute meaningfully to my field.
2024 was also special because I got to celebrate my leap-year birthday on February 29th. It’s not every year you get to throw a birthday party—literally once in four years! Surrounded by friends, it was a memorable day that reminded me of the importance of cherishing relationships.

While I participated in fewer running races this year, I stuck to my staples: the TCS World 10K, the Bangalore 10K Challenge, and the Bangalore Marathon. Beyond running, I ventured into new territories. For the first time, I joined a gym and managed to stick with it for three months straight, thanks to my trainer Lobo, whose guidance and motivation kept me consistent. In the outdoors, I explored the trails of South India through multiple small treks and took on another Himalayan trek in Himachal. The experience of repelling for the first time gave me a thrilling taste of mountaineering. These moments reinforced my love for the mountains and the fulfillment that comes from embracing nature’s challenges.

On the professional front, one of my proudest achievements this year was building an ERP software for one of India’s largest telecom distributors. The pilot, developed in just two weeks, convinced them to switch from Tally, a traditional ERP tool. The project was a testament to the power of simple and quality software to address real-world problems.
I also ventured back into the world of open-source, contributing, giving talks at tech meetups in Bangalore. It had been a while since I stood in front of an audience, but sharing insights on cloud infrastructure cost management and security rekindled my passion for community engagement.

This year, I also finally set up a home lab with two Intel mini computers (NUCs). It was a fun and geeky project where I experimented with running multiple services. It felt great to create a dedicated space for tinkering and learning.

This year marked a period of renewal in many ways. After four years, I upgraded my devices, moving from an iPhone 12 to a 16 and from a MacBook Pro M1 (2020) to an M3 (2024). These upgrades reminded me of the importance of investing in tools that enable us to perform at our best. Welcoming my brother into the apartment was another meaningful change. Creating a space for him brought a sense of family connection.
Finally, I undertook a big renovation project of my apartment, giving it a fresh new look and decluttering by giving away a lot of stuff. This project not only revitalized my living space but also brought a sense of simplicity to my everyday life.

I always wanted to learn a new language and towards the end of the year, I started learning German. This turned into an unexpected obsession. I went all in into language learning practicing 6-8 hours a day, completing the A1 level in just two weeks.

Reflecting on 2024, I am grateful for the opportunities, the challenges, and the growth that came my way. It was a year of transformation, of pushing boundaries, and embracing new experiences. As I look ahead, I am excited about the possibilities that 2025 holds, the new challenges, and the adventures that await.