I have known Ms. Neelam Parwani since my college days; well over
2 decades now. She was my junior and a hostel mate. Have seen her quite closely
and we have been in touch through the social media (it’s a boon to keep in
touch!) I have followed her journey; she is truly an inspirational woman
and we are all proud of her. She has been a great hospitality professional and been
in the corporate world for 12 years before she followed her heart and pursued
her passion. She embarked into holistic healing and wellness. Neelam is a
wanderer at heart as it is said for all bikers. She is a Reiki Grand
Master and a certified Su-Jok (Advance Acupressure) and Positivity therapist.
A Hotel Management Graduate from Institute of Hotel Management,
Mumbai .She has worked in Hospitality industry in India and Abroad. She has
worked on P&O cruises and has a flair for cocktails and alcoholic
beverages. She has been doing functional trainings since a couple of years.
In her illustrious career, she has rich experience in
Hospitality, BPO and Education sectors. Her forte includes Food &
Beverage, Leadership, Communication and Positivity trainings. Neelam also
conducts holistic workshops on life skills, anger and stress management. Neelam
is the Founder of Nature’s Grace Educational Trust – Gurgaon.
Nature’s Grace conducts Reiki and Su-Jok
certified courses and creates awareness for simple health solutions.
IWH in conversation, with the powerhouse Ms. Neelam Parwani.
IWH: Tell us something about you, your growing up years, life
through school, college etc.
Neelam: I
am born and bought up in Jaipur –the Pink City of India. I did my schooling
from Brightlands School Jaipur and then college from IHM –Mumbai. I come from a
Business family and was lucky to have parents who allowed me to explore my
world and take up a professional course to purse my dreams. I am a Biker and
enjoy riding bikes from school days and still do road trips on different bikes,
my last one was Ninja 1000cc . I love dogs and do healings for animals.
IWH: What made you select Hospitality as a career? Was it easy
making that decision?
Neelam: Well
Hospitality was a blessing that came in disguise. I wanted to become a doctor
and was trying for my medical entrance and gave IHM entrance just like
that and eventually topped IHM entrance and couldn’t get through Medical
and from there on I switched from Hospital to Hospitality.
IWH: What is your current role?
Neelam: Well
as they say it is a circle of life, so from Hospitality I again took a U-turn
to wellness industry. Currently I am a professional Alternate Healer and I
practice Reiki, Acupressure and Naturopathy. I have my own Holistic healing
center by Nature’s Grace in Gurgaon.
IWH: How has your hospitality/ professional journey been so far?
Pros, cons etc?
Neelam: I
had a amazing journey I started with a small tenure with Manshigh Hotel –Jaipur
, then moved to Dubai in Hotel sales and From there I joined P&O cruises
and did 2 contracts in passenger cruise liner. It is every Hotelier ‘s dream to
work on cruise ship and my dream did come true, which also gave me an opportunity
to travel around the world. My journey has been full of highs… from Hospitality
to BPO and then to Education Industry and now in Wellness Sector.
IWH: Who has been your mentor or a role model? In what way has
that person helped you?
Neelam: Chef Vishwanath Iyer, Mercy Mathew Ma’am and Jayant Kathe Sir
from my College IHM Mumbai have played a very important role in my career. Chef
Iyer guided and encouraged me to join the Cruise ship. Jayant sir has helped me
a lot when I was working in Mumbai in education sector as Regional Head with
ITM Mumbai. They all have been a guiding angel in my professional Journey.
IWH: What have been the high points of your career? Highlight at
least 3.
Neelam: 1.Joining P&O cruises in 2001, which gave me an opportunity
to travel the world and enjoy hospitality industry on International level.
2. In 2008,opened “Naughty Kids- Preschool” my
first set up as an enter pruner inBangaloreand by 2010 I had 4 branches 2 in
Bangalore and 2 in Jaipur.
3. In 2016 set up “ Nature’s Grace-“ Holistic
healing center in Gurgaon, and started my services in Wellness Industry and
from then on dedicated towards the goal of creating more positivity in
everyone’s life.
IWH: What challenges have you faced as a woman in the industry?
How did you deal with them?
Neelam: The
journey in Hospitality Industry for women has always been challenging and
that’s what makes it so interesting. I remember when I joining P&O cruises
there were only 3 Indian girls in F&B department which makes you feel proud
and also wonder was it really a male dominated industry. Random shifts, no day
off, 9 months of sailing all comes as a challenge for women as your family have
no direct contact no. to call you and only on port days you can make calls.
With these challenges you learn to lice an independent life, learn to trust
strangers, colleagues and most of all with so many different nationalities
under one roof you learn to respect their cultures.
IWH: If there was anything that you could change about your life
or career what would that be?
Neelam: I
would like to be in college for 6 yrs instead of 3 yrs as IHM Mumbai was the
best days of my life and would love to go back there again as a student. Rest
has been an amazing journey have enjoyed every phase of my professional life.
IWH: What do you think of IWH?
Neelam: It
an amazing platform and a big inspiration to all those women who are working in
hospitality industry or aspire to work there. The content shared on the website
is also of great value.
IWH: Your advice to the young professionals and students.
Neelam: Follow
your dreams as dreams do come true, hospitality industry is here to stay and
grow, so your growth is definite.
IWH: Anything else you wish to share with our readers?
Neelam: Wherever
you are working at whatever position enjoy the most of it, and take life as it
comes. Live everyday with a new beginning and let life takes its course
naturally. Stay Positive and blessed….
Read full
story at: http://www.theiwh.com/wanderer-and-the-healer-ms-neelam-parwani/
Website: http://www.theiwh.com/
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