Reflections for 2025

 

 

Instead of simply wishing a Happy New Year, I wanted to share some insights from recent experience. After all, years don’t bring happiness on their own—happiness comes from how thoughtfully we navigate them.

First, reflect on the accomplishments in the past year or two.

For me, one of the most personal highlights was moving back into our rebuilt flat in Worcester Park, five years after the devastating fire. As I write this note, I’m gazing out from the living room at the beautifully designed countryside view—a tranquil scene that almost makes you forget we’re just a 30-minute train ride from London Waterloo.

Professionally, much of 2024 was dedicated to my sabbatical at Imperial, which proved to be a deeply fulfilling time. I focused on completing the world's first Handbook on Soft Robotics, began an exciting new research collaboration with some fantastic colleagues at NASA JPL, and laid extensive groundwork to launch a startup based on over eight years of research on the concept of a robo-patient. Alongside these ventures, I also had the opportunity to channel more energy into supporting two of my agritech startups, Permia Sensing and Ellangava, as they continue to make groundbreaking progress in advanced agriculture.

The Handbook on Soft Robotics published by Springer Nature was a two year collaborative effort with a group of prominant scientists in the field to provide an easy access to the basics of soft robotics for graduate students and engineers. Hopefully this will accelerate the growth and impact of the field in years to come.

The Crown Jewel of the hard work of my lab is our success in winning an ARIA grant in December 2024. The project will be done by a very capable team in the lab in collaboration with a prominant colorectal surgeon to develop a soft Kirigami Inspired colonoscopic capsule to support a new colonoscopy intervention. The robotic capsule will be able to use natural contraction waves in the colon to move both forward and backward just by changing its shape. It will collect both visual and tactile data from inside the colon. I am very excited about the potential impact on this project. 

Reflect on the self-guiding framework you follow.

My Buddhist meditation teacher once shared a valuable framework for self-guidance, built on four key factors: Chanda—your will to achieve a goal, Citta—your ability to focus on priorities, Viriya—your perseverance and honest effort, and Vimansa—the habit of regularly assessing your path and making swift corrections when needed. This process reminds me that meaningful action isn’t just about exerting more energy. It’s equally about refining your approach, developing new skills, and fostering the right collaborations to truly move forward.

This approach to accomplishment emphasizes taking actionable steps in the present to reach your goals, while also reflecting on your past progress. It contrasts sharply with the goal-oriented achieving mindset of striving to fill perceived voids.

Reflect on things that bother you to build resilience for future.

The true story behind every shiny outcome is rarely as glossy as it seems. It’s a tale of hard work, moments of disappointment, and the resilience to stand back on our feet. From these long, arduous journeys, we gain the seasoning that gives us the courage to step boldly into 2025. With that spirit, I wanted to share a few cherished gems from my journey in the recent past.

Over the years, I’ve come to deeply value working with trustworthy, dependable people. The right working relationships can light up your life and make work a joy, but just one or two toxic relationships can take a heavy toll on both mental and physical well-being. 

The most rewarding partnerships often emerge from challenging missions fueled by bold ambitions. These endeavors tend to attract individuals who share a genuine commitment to long-term goals and mutual success. In contrast, toxic individuals frequently present themselves under various disguises. They do have skills and good qualities. But they try to cover up their voids through manipulative politics, backstabbing, and a relentless focus on short-term gains. Recognizing these patterns can make all the difference in a healthy path for progress.

I have had my share of toxic working relationships over the past 2 years. Good news is that I managed to reflect on them, see the cause, and deal with it with help from family, colleagues, and friends.

My biggest advice to colleagues is to develop the wisdom to distinguish between the two types of behavior in people. It may not be very black and white. But when a relationship is toxic, you know it. You can first try to have a direct dialog to see if the other changes behavioral patterns. It maybe you who causes pain to others. In that case, listening and changing yourself is very important. But if you try and things don't change—it’s better to move on. The people who are truly suited for a long journey together will stand by you in difficult times, offer honest advice, and contribute meaningfully while growing themselves. Most importantly, they will be direct, walk the talk, and never resort to backstabbing.

Logic doesn’t always work—especially with master manipulators. These individuals, much like skilled lawyers, can argue their way through anything. That’s why my advice is simple: trust your instincts. You don’t need to justify or prove your feelings to anyone to stay safe. Instincts are often your best guide, and sometimes, they’re all you need. Just distance yourself from toxic relationships. While doing so, give more value to those who are truly supportive and bring happiness and joy to your life.

Have clarity of priorities before the new year and say no to others.

I’ve already mapped out my priorities for 2025, and at their core lies collaboration and training myself. Some of these ventures are new, while others build on past journeys. I have discussed these with family first. My wife and children knowing each others' foci for the new year is very important to help each other. I will also communicate these to my team so that they fully understand how I want the lab to grow in the new year. I will also listen carefully to what their plans are so that I can fully support their growth. 

Having this discussion beyond your immediate team can also foster healthy relationships at work.

In essence, clarity of purpose and a preparation to learn and adjust is key to a happy new year.