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.
“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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
