From Udaipur to Maldives - the story of Mangla Mehar

I am not a celebrity or a politician - what could I possibly write in my memoir? But I do wish to share my story with you.

My Name is Mangla Mehar. I live with my family in a small village of Rajasthan called Mathaniya that lies in the Jhalawar district.

When I was growing up, I always dreamt of becoming a successful and self-dependent woman. I believed that my education would become my ticket to a better tomorrow, but life had other plans for me. While preparing for my Grade 10 examination, my father suffered a paralytic attack, which changed our lives drastically. My father had been the sole breadwinner in the family, and now, I had to take charge with my mother. We began working as labourers to earn our livelihood.

I still remember the time when I was studying for my Grade 12 Board Exams. I had to work until noon before walking all the way to the exam centre. One day I met Arjun (Mobilizer for PACE Udaipur) who told me about a 3-month hospitality course run by PACE Hospitality Training Centre, Udaipur. The course seemed like an opportunity for me to fulfil my dream of complete self-reliance, but convincing my family was not an easy task. They were not comfortable with the idea of my working in the hospitality sector. My brother decided to visit the Udaipur centre. After meeting the faculty there, he gained some trust, and I could finally enrol in the next batch.

In the beginning, I had some difficulty in adjusting to the centre, but eventually, I learned to adapt. The course began with learning to operate a computer, speaking English and soft skill training, all in addition to housekeeping. During the course, I also completed a 7-day long industrial training course at the Taj Lake Palace.

At the end of the course, I felt motivated and confident. I exhibited this confidence at my first interview at Leela Palace hotel, where they selected me after five tough rounds.

I went on to work for two years at the hotel, where I was appreciated and promoted to a Housekeeping Supervisor. This promotion changed my life for good. I got the opportunity to work at the InterContinental Hotel, Qatar at a remuneration of Rs. 38,000, with food & accommodation. The financial boost enabled me to bear the expenses for my father’s medical treatment at a reputed hospital. I have also contributed to rebuilding my house.

Today, I work at the Kanuhura Resort in Maldives at a remuneration of Rs. 65,000 with food & accommodation. I cannot thank PACE enough for helping me reach my fullest potential. I never imagined that I could be a source of inspiration to others. I had the opportunity to share my story at Pratham USA’s Gala in the United States earlier this year, and it was truly a life-changing moment for me.