NIRAV PANCHAL
My journey to the profession
I was born in Bombay in 1981. I hail from a middle class Gujarati family, and I grew up in Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat. I visited Gujarati schools and was known to be rebellious against the rigid education system prevailing then. After the secondary school I started working in Garment industry. Slowly after passing some stages, I learned how to cut and make dresses. I was acknowledged as a "master" in the garment industry of Ahmedabad.
Soon I was getting wholesale contracts for ladies' dresses and was considered a rising trader in the garment markets of Ahmedabad. I even hired few aides for my business, before natural catastrophes striking Gujarat in the beginning of the century brought my enterprise to a halt.
Opportunities came my way and I started offering my knowledge of the languages and culture, guiding tourists and researchers alike through Gujarat. I was quite fluent in English, and my social skills easily smooth out some of my grammatical flaws. I learnt quick and a lot because of my enthusiasm, hard work and dedication.
This dedication is what still gets me praises from most of my clients. A dedication to give my best and organise to make the wishes of my clients come true.
I am known to be absolutely professional towards the clients. Where appropriate, I enjoy talking about life and cultural situation. I listen to the Indian classical music. I love simple traditional food, preferably homemade or in a Dhaba. I like to read History and philosophy wherein I specially admire the philosophies of OSHO and Gandhi. I pay respect to every sanctity regardless of the nomination and religion.
I'm proud to be the member of Heritage walk in Ahmedabad since 2004. I'm happily married and we are blessed parents of a 2 year old daughter. As if the heritage culture was seeped to my bones, our beloved daughter saw the light of the world on the world heritage day!
Most of all, I want to be a good example of honesty, love and dedication for my daughter and my family. I want to do everything to provide her a good education and a healthy upbringing. I try to contribute creating a society, where I would feel comfortable my daughter to grow up.