Meet Zarana Gandhi | Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zarana Gandhi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zarana, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
Being creative soothes my soul. From being a lurker on instagram to creating content to engage an audience worldwide, I am learning to be happy. Previously, I followed a path of medicine, but life had other plans for me. My psychotic break and father reminded me health is more important than your dreams. Dreams are nothing unless you are healthy. From falling down a rabbit hole like ‘Alice in Wonderland’ to regaining some normalcy with my 9 to 5 job, I am learning to be creative and open doors that I had never walked through before. I had to let go of one dream, even though I excelled at it for another, which brings both joy and sorrow. Taking pictures, creating videos out of nothing or even missed moments such as leaves on a tree, blooming flowers, or even a sunset which happens everyday, I bring happiness and entertainment. My original purpose in life might have been to help people using medicine, but now I bring beauty and creativity. Acknowledging life has not turned its back on me makes me happy. Experiencing life in a way I hadn’t before makes me happy. I enjoy moments I failed to acknowledge before, I go places I wouldn’t have gone and meet people I would have scrolled past. One of many people would have been His highnesses, Prince Manvendra Gohil and Duke Hanumanteshwar, from a simple hello on instagram, and/or exchanging words with soldiers, professional football players, and musicians like Atif Aslam. Life has so many possibilities for us. When facing defeat or closed doors, know from my story life hasn’t turned its back on you. Life always has a hand out when you stumble.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I currently work for a pharmaceutical company doing quality control and administration. I started out in medicine to become a doctor but due to a mental health illness I switched gears and pursue pharmaceuticals. It has it own challenges learning FDA regulations, but it is a rewarding career. With my masters of science, I help multiple departments in drug and business development. One of my strongest qualities as a person is my perseverance to succeed. I don’t give up easily. Facing obstacles in my life both internal and external made me a better and stronger person. I have learned how to adapt and crave out paths not travelled by many. Changing dreams and redirecting my life has been hard and sometimes still is. There is always what if i hadn’t done that or this wouldn’t have happened, but I changed with my situation. I changed what makes me happy.

From issues with applying to medical school, testing taking anxieties, depression and ultimately a psychotic break, I have learned to go one day at a time and pray to god. Life is always changing even with a routine. Having a life outside from work made me stronger and happier. I get to be creative and make something out of nothing. I meet people every time I create videos and/or take photos. We share our experiences through social media.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would start out our visit at Scramblers in Farmington Hills. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day in my opinion. After enjoying some delicious waffles with side of hash browns, we will drive across town to Eastern Market. Here we can checkout all the restaurants and local farmers for the day. After taking necessary selfies and enjoying a midday beer at Eastern Market Brewing company, we will go to Belle Isle. Here we can see Canada, the Caesars casino, GM building and so much more. If you want feel special, we can take a helicopter to see the Detroit Skyline. As nighttime rolls around, we can visit Greektown. Here the streets are lit up with a romantic mood. There is wide range of eateries to pick from such as Pegasus Tavern. Finally to end the night, we can go to the Renaissance Center. See all of Detroit and Canada lit up.

Start the next morning with a hike at Maybury State Park. Here we can see what makes Michigan so green. Plus, if you haven’t rode a horse before, here is your chance. After resting, we can visit Corktown, Detroit’s oldest neighborhood of Irish settlers. Enjoy some beer and lunch at Meander Michigan Ave. Then take a stroll to Commerica Park and watch the Tigers play. After getting tipsy at the game, we can sober up at the Michigan Grand Central Station. Now the hub for businesses, its renovation pays tribute to the architects who also designed New York Grand Central station. As dinner time rolls around, you can pick from so many restaurants, but one of my favorites is Neehees, across town in Canton. If you love Indian food, you will love the top choices of vegetarian street food. If you Indian food isn’t your top choice, you can go to Mexican towns’, Xochimilco restaurant, for their house margarita and chorizo tacos.

Detroit has so many things to offer from food, beer, and culture. It’s a melting pot with endless things to experience. From so many places to choose from, I believe I encompassed what is true to Detroit. I have lived here for over 22 years and always felt safe and at home.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Both my parents deserve recognition in my story. From leaving behind family and friends in India to move to an unknown country for a better life in United States. They are an example of how to face life in moments of adversity. My mother learned to speak english from watching tv, to drive etc. She was privileged to be a house wife with no financial burdens. She was raised with her sisters and brothers in India in their soda shop. She raised me to focus on school because she never had the privilege to go to college. Losing her was one of the hardest things I faced in my life.

My father always believed in education. It helped him rise from poverty as he was the only college graduate at the time in his family. He studied using street lights and helped his father sell vegetables at the local market to make ends meet to provide for their family. He went to pharmacy school with the help of a friend who paid for his tuition because that was the only he could attend. He works in a pharmaceutical company as a general manager after having an amazing career as a vice president in the pharmaceutical industry. My father is a rags to riches story and an inspiration to my family. He could not have imagined a better life. He went from studying in the dark to being in Michigan. After my mother’s death, he became both my mother and father. He supported me through school and even afterwards. He was there for me during my mental health battles. He is supportive in everything I do. I couldn’t have asked for better parents.

Instagram: smilingdelight

Image Credits
AA’s Photography