Feels motivational speaker And personality transformation coach Rita Gangwani
Aptly nicknamed ‘The Queen-maker’, Rita Gang-wani is a name to reckon with in the fashion industry and Bolly-wood. Her journey as a coach began 40 years ago when she decided to hang her army uniform and thought of “teaching discipline and time management to the civilians”. RIGA HAUS (Rita Gangwani’s House of Personality Transformation) was thus born with a tagline ‘Turning Person into a Personality’. It is considered to be a place of transformation, where individuals unlock their full potential and become confident and poised personalities.
Gangwani is the only pageant coach to have been honoured by World Book of Records for coaching diverse beauty pageant aspirants such as Miss, Mrs, Mr, Teens, Pre-Teens, Empress, Classics, Petite, Transgender, Plus Size, Deaf, Blind, Wheelchair, Cancer, Kids, Toddlers and many more.
She is on board of Miss Bhutan, Super Model Nepal, Mr. And Miss Deaf India, Miss Teen India, Mrs. Earth, Mrs. India Queen Of Substance, Mrs India- She is India, Glamanand Super Model, Mrs. India UK, Rubaru Mr. India, Mrs. And Miss Plus Size, Miss Transgender, Femina Miss India Organization, Mr and Miss Wheelchair, Miss and Mr Deaf India, Miss and Mrs Cancer Warriors and many more as talent partner and grooming mentor.
Her authored book, The Beauty Pageants Greenroom, endorsed with a forward by former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen, has been awarded as “The Fashion Book of the year 2017”.
In a freewheeling chat with Samvada, Gangwani shares her journey as a coach so far, her life in a posh colony- Nirvana, and her future plans.
Tell us something about your journey as a fashion coach.
I was born in Himachal Pradesh and was the first lady officer in the Indian army way back in 1976. I took voluntarily retirement in 1984 from the army but the training I got there stayed with me. I started giving lessons and advice on etiquettes and time management to my friends who then suggested that I should pursue coaching as a career since I was so good in that. That’s when RIGAHAUS (Rita Gangwani’s House of Personality Transformation) started.
Are there any tips you would like to give those who are interested in this glam world?
Everything looks glam on stage but not many know what happens backstage. There is so much hard work involved in everything what you see on stage. I would say there are a few things that need to be kept in mind like patience, fearlessness and time management. Also, one needs to constantly evolve and love oneself for what you are. Be fearless of your competitors and feel perfect in your own flaws. You are a designer piece created by god so create your own designer life. Don’t live in the world of cut –copy-paste. Be original. Be a pair of stilettoes in a room full of flats.
There is nothing called instant fame. The right things happen at the right time so be patient. Live in the present and have gratitude. Be positive, humble and don’t overthink. Half of the problems most of the time are created by our mind which otherwise don’t exist.
What would be your advice to anyone who wants to become a personality coach?
Every person has flaws but we as coaches, should not highlight the problems but rather should look for their best qualities. I always ask my students to open up and share what, why and how they want to change themselves. The personality of the person is like a table with four legs –physical, mental, cultural and spiritual. If any leg is weak then the table is bound to break. Give them the environment where they can look for their answers themselves.
What got you interested in writing?
I realized that there are a lot of people who couldn’t afford my fees but wanted to know/join about the beauty pageants. Also, there are so many illegal pageants people should beware of. My book is a guide to all those interested in being a part of the fashion industry. So is my free YouTube channel where I give tips to all the aspirants.
How would you describe your stay in Nirvana?
In one word, it’s heavenly. Living in Nirvana is bliss! People in this locality are very disciplined and considerate unlike my fellow residents in Pitampura. The greenery, the jacuzzi and the architecture –everything is just perfect here. I simply enjoy my morning walks here.
You keep shuttling between Delhi and Mumbai for work. Which one is your favourite city and why?
Definitely, it’s Delhi because the warmth of the people which I feel here is nowhere else to be found.
What does the future hold for you?
My journey so far has been satisfying. As for the future, I am planning to write a book on Indian sanskars as I feel the youth today has completely forgotten about our Indian roots. They don’t know the meaning of a mangalsutra, a bindi or a mandir ki ganti. They have no idea as to why we touch our elders’ feet. I want this generation to go back to originality and not blindly copy the West.
