A Life Steeped in Dedication and Dreams
Life has a strange way of unfolding. You think you are heading in one direction, and suddenly, you find yourself somewhere entirely different—somewhere you never planned for, but somehow, it feels right. I was born in Amravati and raised in Pune, the youngest of six siblings. Ours wasn’t an easy childhood. I lost my parents when I was in the 10th grade, a loss that left a quiet, heavy space in my heart—one that never fully went away but I learned to move on gracefully. After all, for how long can one feel the same emotion? I had responsibilities to take up and I had to look after myself. So, I grew up quickly, learning to make my way in a world that never really pauses for anyone.
I studied until the 12th grade at Sanghvi Kesari College, but books soon made way for work. My journey took me to places I had never imagined—hotels in Goa, Baramati, Ooty, and Pune. From Mirchi Masala in Kothrud to Poona Gate Hotel, I worked in the service line in the hotel industry. It was a life of movement, of new cities and unfamiliar streets, of constantly learning and unlearning. But no matter where I went, there was always something missing. I wanted stability. A place to belong. That place came unexpectedly, through a friend who told me about a vacancy at Thermax’s Chinchwad factory. I didn’t know then that I would stay for 17 years. But looking back, it makes sense. Life may not always give you what you ask for, but it often gives you what you need.
My days begin early. By 7:30 am, I am at work, setting up the serving area at canteen in Thermax Learning Academy (TLA), making sure everything is ready before people start coming in. Tea, coffee, conversations— small moments that may seem ordinary but hold their own quiet significance. Over the years, I have learned that people find comfort in the simplest things. A familiar face. A warm cup of tea. A place where they can pause, even if just for a minute and serving those moments with serving their favourite beverage is a good thing to do.
Beyond work, my life is built around my family. I have two daughters, and they are my biggest source of pride. My eldest is in her second year of Bachelor’s in Computer Science, and my younger one is in the 9th grade at a CBSE school. Both of them excel in their studies, topping their classes without any tuition. I often tell them, I couldn’t study beyond 12th grade, but I want them to have every opportunity I didn’t.
I saved for years to build our home in Indori, beyond Dehugaon. It stands as proof of everything I have worked for—a space of our own, a place where my daughters can dream freely. Last year, we celebrated Diwali in a house owned by us. A house that we call home now and I couldn’t have asked for more.
The toughest times often show you who truly cares. In 2020, when Covid struck, I fell sick. I was in the hospital for seven days, isolated, while my family managed on their own. My neighbours and even my landlord kept their distance. Fear does that to people. But amidst the loneliness, there were moments of kindness too. My friend Dashrath stepped up, offering help when I needed it most. Even now, thinking about it, I am reminded that no matter how unpredictable life is, there is always goodness to be found.
Through every loss, every struggle, and every quiet triumph, life has taught me one simple truth—it never stands still. And neither can we. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I do know what I want— to watch my daughters chase their dreams, to see them build lives filled with purpose and pride. The road hasn’t always been smooth, but I’ve never turned away from hard work. Time, effort, and perseverance—these are the lessons I live by and the ones I pass on to them. Until then, I will do what I have always done—take each day as it comes and make it matter.
Ravindra Bonde
Service Boy,
Thermax Learning Academy, Chinchwad
