“A few years ago, I left my village in Nagarkurnool district and came to Hyderabad with a dream of building a career in hospitality. Today, I am pursuing Hotel Management, working towards becoming a professional chef, and driving an auto to support that dream.

I come from a farming family. Back home, we grow rice, groundnut, and jowar. Farming teaches you patience. You learn that hard work does not always bring immediate results, but you keep going because you believe the effort will eventually pay off.

Moving to Hyderabad was a turning point in my life. For the first time, I had to manage everything on my own. The hardest part was being away from my family. No matter how busy life gets, there are moments when you miss home and the people who have always stood by you.

To continue my education, I drive an auto part-time and manage my college and hostel fees myself. Balancing studies and work is not always easy, but it has taught me discipline, independence, and the value of every rupee I earn.

One of the biggest opportunities in my journey came when I went to Mauritius as part of my training. Working across different departments in a hotel gave me a deeper understanding of the hospitality industry and strengthened my confidence in the career path I had chosen.

Over time, Hyderabad has become my second home. Driving an auto has allowed me to meet people from different backgrounds, each with their own struggles and ambitions. Every passenger brings a new story, and every day teaches me something new. I especially enjoy driving through the city’s busy roads at night. The energy of people working hard towards their goals motivates me to work harder towards mine.

I also carry the responsibility of supporting my family and setting an example for my younger sister. That responsibility keeps me focused and reminds me why I started this journey.

Life has taught me that success is not about where you start. It is about having the determination to keep moving forward, learning from every experience, and never giving up on your goals.”

• Pavan Vankdavath