2024
Life is short, so I made it wide. It’s not just a random sentiment—it’s literally tattooed on me. Yes, my ink reads “One Life”, because subtlety has never been my strong suit. If there’s ever a day I forget, well, my shoulder has my back.
The year opened on a high note as I crossed borders to attend Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres concert in Singapore. The band’s ability to connect through music and their initiatives to reduce carbon footprint is a reminder of the power of shared experiences. The tempo continued as I bolted down hills at the world’s fastest zipline at Jebel Jais, an exhilarating feat that kinda set the tone for the year. Adding a touch of sophistication, witnessing the Dubai Horse Racing World Cup was an event of unparalleled elegance and excitement, something I never thought I would do. Heck, I know nothing about horses.
This year also marked a pivotal commitment to sustainability with my indulgence in the UltraViolette F77 Mach 2 e-bike. Its sleek design complements its eco-friendly essence, helping to reduce my carbon footprint. Every ride reinforces the importance of choosing a cleaner (for now) path that aligns with our planet’s well-being. My petrol car’s usage has reduced by half since I got this bike.
The year was not defined by velocity alone. I had a reflective and serene 45th birthday in Sakleshpur, where the quiet hills provided the perfect backdrop to pause and introspect.
Wildlife featured prominently throughout 2024, with 86 snake rescues underscoring my commitment to these often misunderstood creatures. Each rescue was a testament to coexistence and the importance of small, intentional acts of kindness. Additionally, being featured on a podcast about living with snakes, alongside experts I admire, was an honor that cannot be put into words.
Creativity found its place in the smaller, yet equally meaningful moments, connecting my work within the community to documenting life experiences through four podcasts. These podcasts included capturing my journey of working with my business partner, Vidya, for 20 years and documenting my father’s early life on his 85th birthday—a poignant celebration of OG Nanu.
Equally fulfilling was my work with the community through Courtyard Koota. From participating in a fascinating Bamboo-themed weekend to hosting a Wildlife-themed weekend, I had the privilege of connecting people to nature and sustainability through art. Collaborating with Goodearth for the Spirit of Malhar across three weekends brought communities together in celebrating art, sports and wildlife. Working with Alt Fest for the Bengaluru Hubba edition as an official photographer for shows in Koota allowed me to document the vibrancy of these events.
Performing card tricks at Spirit of Malhar with Maya brought joy and awe. We managed to trick a lot of folks who came to our stall to see the magic!
Designing bird photography merchandise turned my passion into a tangible outcome this year. I ended up creating a set for a resort in Coorg, which was well-received.
A significant turning point in my comedic journey was performing at The Underground Comedy Club as part of one final Sand & Brik show on International Women’s Day. Performing to a packed audience gave me the confidence to envision and ultimately deliver my first one-hour solo stand-up comedy show, Sleightly Phunny. The experience was both a personal triumph and a celebration of humor’s ability to connect. Two sold-out shows were the cherry on top of this deeply fulfilling endeavour.
Continuing my commitment to educating people about snakes, I created a memory card game designed to help identify snakes in and around us. With the support of a few well-wishers, I successfully donated my first batch of 100 boxes to local government schools. This project, rooted in awareness and learning, is something I hope to expand in 2025 with many more outreach initiatives.
Amidst these triumphs, 2024 also called for courage in navigating transformative personal decisions. These choices, made with careful thought and optimism, signify new beginnings and opportunities for renewal and growth. Change, though challenging, is often the pathway to a more fulfilling journey.
2024, has been a seamless tapestry of shifting my radius—a year where the thrill of the world’s fastest zipline echoed with me owning the fastest e-bike, where filming lemurs in Madagascar found its counterpart in my ongoing commitment to snake rescues, and where moments of quiet reflection on my birthday empowered me to connect better with the outside world.
Living the dream my friend. May it continue.
One life! You are an inspiration Sandeep. Your posts give me so much joy and hope.
Like our favorite GSW star said, success isn’t an accident but a choice. I’m so happy to have shared some of your wonderful moments with you. Looking forward to next year!