When I look back at 2014, I feel quite content with the three titles and two medals in the Asian Games. So, overall a very great year as I also won the China Open title, which is one of the toughest events in the world. In 2015 I just hope to be fit and do well. I have no targets yet. But, for sure, I just want to train hard and give my best in tournaments. I hope this is a good year for sports and children; and I would want to see ourselves as a race that protects and only do deeds that assure that we are all humans.
SAINA NEHWAL, Sportsperson (as told to V.V. Subrahmanyam)
I expect a little more humanity in 2015. This will make us all realise how beautiful life can be if we all co-existed peacefully. I only hope there is an end to the hatred and we and become friends and protect each other. At the same time we should nurture nature and protect the earth, just the way we would protect our lives and valuables. I hope we as a race realise that revenge is not a solution to any problem.
TAAPSEE PANNU, Actor
2015 is just a change of calendar, what we actually need is a change of policies and economic solutions. A world where there are no forced conversions. Where there is less news about xyz and her facelift and have more being said about what’s being done to those in jail who have committed heinous crimes. In 2015, I want to bring as many as people close to me or me to them through my work and my love for this country. It’s a selfish thought but 1billion such selfish thoughts can make one strong belief and one massive family.
ALI FAZAL, Actor
The only constant thing in the universe is change, so I wish my best to everyone who wants a change. New Year is a good reason and a good time to practice what we think. A new year is the dawn of hopes, dreams and aspirations. However, everyday hundreds of lives are lost in road accidents and along with it the dreams of the victims and their families. I sincerely wish this new year, that everyone drives in a responsible manner with mutual respect for one another. Youth today are increasingly being drawn towards drugs, drinks, cigarettes and unsafe sex as a result of which the nation has to pay a heavy price. I wish the youth adopt healthier lifestyles, engage in community service regularly and contribute their mite to the nation. My heart also goes out for the farmers of our nation, who toil to produce rich harvest and are not adequately rewarded. My wish is to see a smile on that tired weary face, when the farmer is supported to get a fair price for his produce.
SURESH RAJU, Social worker
For the past eight years I have been visiting a temple on December 31st. This year too I’ll do the same thing. I reach the temple at night and wait for the first aarti on January 1 early morning. I never have anything to ask for, I just go to look him in the eye and thank him for the last year. This year too I am going for the same. My expectations from God for myself is minimum as I am a man of few expectations, so anything that I get is like a blessing. But I would definitely wish a few things for society in 2015, like the new government bringing a smile on everyone’s face, Swach Bharat campaign becoming a lifestyle and not just an event and society especially men beginning to respect women.
HARSHVARDHAN RANE, actor
2015 should be year we should learn that one cannot completely wait for change to come from an external force. Looking at the plight of the world, the gross headlines we read on our social media outlets. We need to realise that change is possible and that it’s also possible to first control our actions, however small they may be. But it’s time we become aware and learn to follow what we preach, rather than cribbing about the problems in the world.
TINA DESAI, actor
I hope 2015 is a year that we hear news more about the good and also learn that there a lot of good that happens in the world which we can multiply. I hope people are lot less lazy and get up from their smartphones and computers and laptops and realise that change is behind posting and re-tweeting on social media. I hope people realise that social media is a great evolution but cannot be the only way of social awareness and cannot facilitate the larger picture of a hope of a more peaceful world.
EVELYN SHARMA, actor
