There were quite a few hurdles to overcome even before beginning the journey. From finding the right information about universities abroad to navigating the practical aspects of visas, finances, and banking. But the real challenges began upon landing in Christchurch. Adjusting to the pace and quietness of a city of just over 400,000 was a world apart from the 22 million–strong bustle of Mumbai I’d left behind.
Everyday tasks became learning experiences - figuring out bus routes, sorting accommodation, enrolling at university, managing finances, cooking for myself, and sharing a flat with students from different cultures. Yet, the biggest challenge by far was adapting to a completely new way of learning. Moving from rote memorisation to critical thinking, from being taught to learning independently, was a significant but transformative shift.
Over time, these challenges turned into the most rewarding parts of my journey. Christchurch with its people, culture, and community spirit taught me resilience, humility, and the power of connection. Every obstacle turned into an opportunity to learn something new about myself and about New Zealand.
The greatest reward was finding a sense of belonging in a place so different from where I started.
What inspired you to turn your personal journal into a published book?
The book was never part of the original plan. It began simply as a personal diary, a way to document my journey from Mumbai to New Zealand and reflect on my experiences as an international student. But as I started writing, the professional in me, someone who had spent over a decade in the international education sector began to reflect on what I could have done better or differently as a student. Those reflections soon became pieces of practical advice woven through my diary.
When I eventually finished, I shared it with a few close friends who also worked in education. They found it not just engaging but deeply informative - a potential guidebook for aspiring students. Their encouragement and persistence gave me the push I needed to shape my personal reflections into something larger. That’s how Good on You, Mate! was born, from a simple journal into a story meant to inspire and inform others on the same path.
What aspects of writing your book were more surprising or challenging than you anticipated?
Since Good on You, Mate! wasn’t intended to be a book at first, I had originally recorded everything in my diary with meticulous detail - names, dates, places, and small anecdotes. When I began working with my publisher and editor, those real-life names and moments started to evolve into characters and scenes, giving the story a new dimension of authenticity.
One of the most surprising and rewarding parts of the process was being challenged to bring my friends and colleagues to life on the page: to describe their personalities, quirks, and mannerisms, and to recreate the sights, sounds, and emotions of those moments. It pushed me to think not just as a storyteller, but as a writer.
In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I even attended a few writing masterclasses along the way. And now, I can’t help but feel there’s a bigger novel waiting somewhere within me; a story yet to be told.
Can you tell us a bit about what your work involves with the India New Zealand Business Council and the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs?
After completing my master’s in business management and later a master’s in international relations and diplomacy from UC, I naturally gravitated toward the intersection of trade, policy, and diplomacy. My professional journey has allowed me to stay closely engaged with think tanks and trade associations that operate in this space.
At the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC), I serve as the Trade and Strategy Officer, helping the council strengthen its position as the leading industry voice in the India–New Zealand corridor. My role involves advising the board on strategic matters, contributing to trade policy discussions, and supporting initiatives that promote bilateral collaboration. Having been involved with the council for over eight years, it’s been incredibly rewarding to see the long-held aspiration of a Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand move closer to reality.
I also serve as the Christchurch Chair of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (NZIIA) - a role that is particularly close to my heart. It allows me to facilitate meaningful conversations on global issues that shape New Zealand’s place in the world. This includes hosting diplomats, policymakers, and academics for public lectures, panel discussions, and roundtables. It’s a role that demands both intellectual curiosity and diplomatic sensitivity and while it’s challenging, it’s equally fulfilling.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
One of the most impactful pieces of advice I’ve ever received came during my very first week of classes at the University of Canterbury, from my leadership professor, Dr. Chris Jansen. He said: “Stop focusing on your weaknesses - instead, work on your strengths. In time, your weaknesses will become insignificant compared to your strengths.”
That insight has stayed with me ever since. It shaped not only how I approached my studies but also how I developed as a professional and a person. I’ve come to believe deeply in the strength-based approach to growth, focusing on what you naturally do well and building on it rather than getting caught up in a problem-fixing mindset. It’s a philosophy that continues to guide me to this day.
