The year 2024 was marked by challenges, disappointments and loss, yet amid the darkness, moments of hope, growth and accomplishment shone through. Vibes of India spoke to prominent figures from politics, law enforcement, academia and other sectors to capture what stood out as the positive in a difficult year. Their reflections offer stories of resilience, personal development and contributions to society.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s Gujarat State President, Isudan Gadhvi, shared a powerful reflection on his journey this year. “This year, personal growth took place. I had the chance to meet and receive the blessings of Shiv Krupa Nand ji, which brought me mental peace. Politically, there was significant growth. AAP became stronger in Gujarat after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest. People had high expectations of us and we have always stood by them. It was a year of political growth and personal development.”
Gujarat BJP Spokesperson, Yagnesh Dave, recalled a notable experience during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign. “During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign for the 2024 elections, he came to meet party workers at the BJP state office in Gandhinagar. He asked about our well-being and showed genuine concern. He assured us of all possible help for the party workers and media personnel. He has done so much for the party workers in Gujarat. His personal attention meant a lot to us.”
Manish Doshi, a Congress spokesperson, shared his party’s successes. “We achieved good results in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Rahul Gandhi became the Leader of the Opposition. Priyanka Gandhi won the Wayanad seat and Geniben Thakor won from Banaskantha, breaking the BJP’s ego. It was a moment of triumph for our party, and we’re proud of these victories.”
Dr Vikas Patel, a Liver Transplant Surgeon at Ahmedabad’s Marengo CIMS Hospital, reflected on both personal and professional milestones. “This year, I was blessed with a baby girl. It was an incredibly joyful moment in my life. Career growth also took place and the growth of AI and technology has played a significant role in my work and personal life. It’s been a year of positive changes, both at home and in my profession.”
Paresh Goswami, a farmers’ rights advocate and weather expert, recalled a significant development for farmers. “One of the good things that happened this year is that the police allowed and gave permission for me and the farmers to protest for certain rights in Saurashtra. It was a pivotal moment for us. It showed that the authorities were willing to support our cause and that meant a lot.”
Hemant Kumar Shah, an author and professor, spoke about his literary contributions. “2024 was a notable year in my life. I translated Ashokkumar Pandey’s book Usne Gandhi Ko Kyun Mara into Gujarati as Godse Ne Gandhi Ko Kyun Mara. Additionally, I wrote a book on Ram Rajya due to the developments surrounding the Ayodhya Mandir. I wanted to make people aware of its true meaning. I studied texts such as the Valmiki Ramayana, Ram Charit Manas, Padma Puran and Raghuvansh Natak, among others. I also considered the views of Mahatma Gandhi and Periyar in my writings.”
Himanshu Parcha, an assistant professor at Karnavati University, reflected on personal and professional growth. “This year was one of unexpectedness but also possibilities. We organised a national conclave, bringing intellectuals and academics from across India to teach students. Personally, I focused on my research within epistemology. It’s been a year of growth on both the personal and professional fronts.”
Yagnesh Acharya, a freelance journalist, shared a touching story about a friend’s success. “A friend of mine, who was struggling financially in Bhavnagar, reached out to me for help. He came to Ahmedabad during Diwali 2024, and I asked him how he was doing. He told me he was doing well in his job. He now handles the office in Bhavnagar while his boss is in the US. It made me happy to know that he had passed through a tough time and was now doing well. He was grateful, and that made me feel good.”
Dr Lavina Sinha, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Cell) Ahmedabad, proudly spoke about her team’s success in combating cybercrime. “Our team cracked India’s biggest cyber fraud case, arresting four Taiwanese nationals. We recovered the maximum amount of money that residents of Ahmedabad lost in cyber fraud. On a personal level, I was selected for the Union Home Minister’s Award for Excellence, which was an incredible honour.”
Sharad Singhal, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), shared the accomplishments of his department. “We dismantled an international gang involved in digital arrests and seized a significant amount of documents, SIM cards, mobile phones, credit cards and cheque books. Under the Citizen Safety Act, our crime branch initiated the installation of over 7,000 cameras with local support. We also seized hybrid ganja worth over Rs 6 crore, which was coming into the city from Bangkok and Canada. We identified and took action against these operations. Our special works included hybrid ganja seizures, digital arrests, drug seizures and illegal weapon seizures. On a personal note, I’m very proud that my daughter topped in her 9th standard exams.”
Karanraj Vaghela, Superintendent of Police in Valsad, shared his team’s success in solving crimes. “This year, we detected over eight murder cases, which brought us a lot of satisfaction. My team in Valsad received a Rs 12 lakh reward from state government for our work and dedication. It was a proud moment for all of us.”
These reflections highlight that, despite a year full of adversity, moments of success, personal growth and acts of service emerged, offering hope and light in 2024.
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