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Achievers 2023: Here are some neighbours who made us proud this year

Bitan Biswas of CK Block won a National Film Award (special mention) for his performance in the Bengali film 'Jhilli'

The Telegraph Published 29.12.23, 11:53 AM
Bitan Biswas receiving the National Award from the President

Bitan Biswas receiving the National Award from the President Pictures: The Telegraph

Bitan Biswas

Resident of: CK Block

Achievement: The actor won a National Film Award (special mention) for his performance in the Bengali film Jhilli, directed by Ishaan Ghose, son of filmmaker Goutam Ghose. He received the award from President Droupadi Murmu on October 17.

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“I’ve been acting, mostly in independent films, since 2013, but hadn’t expected such an honour so early in my career. It has been a humbling experience,” said Bitan.

The film is about a manual labourer who works in the dump yard of Dhapa and of how oblivious he is about the changing world outside. It was released at the 27th Kolkata International Film Festival and then hit the theatres. It is now available on the Hoichoi streaming app.

“We realised the film would be appreciated when it won in the international category of the Calcutta film festival. That’s a rare feat for a Bengali film. Plus, it received a standing ovation from the audience,” said Bitan.

“Acting is all about empathising and the film made me spare a thought for rag pickers, something we never do otherwise.”

Tania Sanyal

Tania Sanyal being felicitated by the AK Block residents' association for her ISC result.

Tania Sanyal being felicitated by the AK Block residents' association for her ISC result.

Resident of: AK Block

Achievement: The student of Sri Aurobindo Institute of Education came fourth in the Indian School Certificate examination, scoring 396 out of 400. She scored full marks in history, sociology and psychology, the latter being a subject she has taken up now for graduation.

Naba Kumar Mondal

New Town resident Naba Kumar Mondal at the Everest base camp

New Town resident Naba Kumar Mondal at the Everest base camp

Resident of: New Town Heights

Achievement: At the age of 72, Mondal, a retired particle physicist, trekked to the Everest Base Camp, clocking 130km over 10 days, in the company of his neighbours — Srikumar, 41, and Sudeshna Ghosh, 39. This was a dream he nurtured ever since he was a research student. He walked, gymmed, swam and did pranayam and yoga for three and half months before taking the medical tests to check his fitness.

Adriyan Karmakar

Resident of: Rishi Eco View, New Town

Achievement: The son of Olympian Joydeep Karmakar is living up to his genes. The young shooter ended the year with a Junior India ranking of No. 1. He also added the All India Kumar Surendra Singh gold medal and an Asian Championships silver medal to his growing tally of laurels. Adriyan set three state records in the Air Rifle State Championships. He became the first player ever to shoot 400/400 in the event and achieved a score of 594/600 in Prone to equal the oldest state record in air rifle, set by his father in 2004

Anjan Bose

Purbachal resident Anjan Bose of Aurora Film Corporation receives the National Award for his production 'Mon Potongo' from President Draupadi Murmu

Purbachal resident Anjan Bose of Aurora Film Corporation receives the National Award for his production 'Mon Potongo' from President Draupadi Murmu

Resident of: Purbachal, Cluster VI

Achievement: He received the National Award from President Draupadi Murmu on October 17 for his production Kalkokkho. Another feature film, Mon Potongo, produced by Bose’s production house, the iconic Aurora Film Corporation, was adjudged the best film in the Bengali Panorama segment at the Kolkata International Film Festival in December.

Ashmita Kar

Ashmita Kar, Zee Bangla Sa Re Ga Ma Pa joint winner with Padmapalash Haldar, gets the certificate from Kumar Sanu (left); Ashmita Kar of New Town

Ashmita Kar, Zee Bangla Sa Re Ga Ma Pa joint winner with Padmapalash Haldar, gets the certificate from Kumar Sanu (left); Ashmita Kar of New Town

Resident of: DA Block, New Town

Achievement: The singer was declared the joint winner of Zee Bangla’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, along with Padmapalash Haldar. In a star-studded finale at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre shot on January 19, the host of the reality show Abir Chatterjee held up both their hands as winner

Ridhi Bahety

Resident of: Ultadanga

Achievement: The skater became the first player from Bengal to be selected to the national skating team in over two decades when the squad wa s n a m e d i n April. She has since re presented the country at the World Championship in Italy in August-September and the Asian Championship in China in October. Ultadanga girl Ridhi Bahety in China for the Asian Roller Skating Championship

Soumajit Chatterjee

Soumajit Chatterjee at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Education

Soumajit Chatterjee at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Education

Resident of: CE Block, New Town

Achievement: Leading the Chandrayaan-3 lunar exploration mission as operations director Chatterjee said his team had been working 16-17 hours a day towards the launch date in July. He was to Calcutta for a week in November and visited his alma mater Sri Aurobindo Institute of Education and Techno India, where he was felicitated and where he delivered motivational speeches to students.“You do not need to join the rat race of ranks. Work hard and your rank will be the by-product,” said the ISC 2003 passout, who had topped his school in the Board exams. “Isro, with its string of great scientists, teaches you humility,” said Chatterjee, who had met former President and aerospace scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam a few times.

Priyanka Kundu Biswas

Masterchef India semifinalist Priyanka Kundu Biswas of Michaelnagar

Masterchef India semifinalist Priyanka Kundu Biswas of Michaelnagar

Resident of: Michaelnagar, a colony opposite the Dum Dum airport

Achievement: The 32-year-old home cook reached the top 8 of the cooking reality show MasterChef India. After impressing judges Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Garima Arora for four months, she tripped on the last hurdle before the final when her Prawn Paturi with Pineapple Kasundi did not make the cut in the grill challenge aired on March 10.

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