CHENNAI:Choki Dhani, a Rajasthani cultural village located near Queensland, spans over 13 acres and offers visitors an experience of a Rajasthani fair. The director, AN Shanthilal Bohra, who started this venture in 2012, talks about his journey of introducing the concept in Chennai, his Rajasthani heritage, and his family.
How was it to set up a business in Chennai?
I had a very tough time in the beginning because many of our friends and relatives did not think that I would be able to do it. “Would you be able to sell air conditioning in Kashmir?” they would ask me. Selling something like Choki Dhani in the south is difficult. After a year, I knew I didn’t need to worry at all, because we had a good flow of visitors during summers and winters. And then I realised that this will work. We do face few issues during the monsoon season, but otherwise we have no competitors, and have monopoly over the business.
You at work vs you at home?
When I am at work, I am firm in what I want from my employees. I always maintain a strong employer-employee relationship. I’m very different at home. I forget all of my commitments and duties when I am at home. I am much more relaxed and free.
Can you tell us more about your family?
I have an older and younger brother. We share a good relationship together, and they help out with Choki Dhani. My forefathers are from Rajasthan, but I was born and raised here. My family has been in Chennai from 1946. I got married 30 years ago and was blessed with a son and a daughter. Everybody in my family is often immersed in works at Choki Dhani. We have discussions about business and how to succeed.
What is the one piece of advice you would share?
Whatever business you start, you need to be dedicated towards it. You need to face your challenges and fears. Without that, you won’t be able to face your competitors and rise to the top. Only your passion can drive you ahead. After some struggles, everything will settle down, but until then you must work hard.
What are your hobbies?
I don’t enjoy flight journeys, so I often travel by train. I enjoy the small picnics we have on the train with my family. I am also interested in architecture and have studied, and read about Indian monuments. The monuments in India are purely based on science and technology. It is a mixture of the concepts of wind, water and earth, one of the perfect examples of this being the
Golkonda temple.
If you had to choose a different career, what would you choose?
I am not very keen on doing anything else, but if I had to choose, I would love to work with Dairy Milk, Amul or Heritage. I am interested in such dairy-based industries. I am fond of animals, especially cows. I want to provide a better quality of milk for daily consumption, as what is available isn’t very good for consumption. I would also love to throw myself wholeheartedly into social work.
What is your relationship with Rajasthani heritage?
My culture is one of the oldest cultures in India. Any person from any state, be it Kerala, West Bengal or Maharashtra, like my culture because of our colourful history and royals. I am a culture-oriented person. I cannot forgive people who leave their culture and follow western beliefs. It is the most important aspect for me.