Riya Manish Gadhavi: Building a Life of Purpose, Creativity, and Spirit

"Life can be magical, if you believe in the magic of your God."

At just 23, Riya Manish Gadhavi from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, has already made her mark as a model, entrepreneur, author, and spiritualist. Balancing the stage lights with spiritual depth, she blends creativity and conviction in everything she does. Her achievements range from winning pageant titles to becoming an award-winning author, but for Riya, success is measured less by trophies and more by the ability to make her parents proud and inspire others.

A Childhood of Creativity and a Legacy of Strength

Riya’s path was shaped by a household where business acumen met artistic passion. Her early years were filled with dance, theatre, and modeling. She learned Bollywood, belly dancing, semi-classical Kathak, and Latin styles such as salsa, bachata, and cha-cha. “Dancing always felt meditative—it was my way of connecting inward,” she recalls.

Her father, a businessman and spiritual guide, introduced her to entrepreneurship and spirituality. Working alongside him while studying at the Amrut Modi School of Management, she absorbed lessons on discipline, courage, and faith. Her father’s teachings—and her mother’s strength—remain her compass.

The Turning Point: Loss and the Fire to Continue His Legacy

Riya’s life took an unexpected turn when she lost her father, her role model and constant source of encouragement. “The pain of losing him is something I can never put into words. But his love and guidance never left me—it became the fire within me,” she says.

Determined to honor his memory, she wrote her first book, Spiritualism: Enrich Your Spirit, to share his teachings and inspire others to see life’s magic with a fresh perspective. The book was featured at the World Book Fair in Delhi in 2025, an achievement she humbly credits to her father’s blessings and her mother’s undying support and motivation.

Achievements That Matter Beyond Awards

Riya has earned titles such as Miss Ahmedabad Juniors, was the youngest finalist at Miss Fabb Ahmedabad (2018), received the Rising Star of the Year Award (2024) from Page 3 Excellence Awards, and was named Women Icon of the Year (2025) at the Influential Women Leaders Awards.

But she views her greatest achievement differently:

“My father’s blessings and teachings and my mother’s proud smile are my biggest achievement. They give me the courage, faith, and positivity to face anything.”

Challenges That Forged Her Strength

Life after loss brought Riya face-to-face with her toughest challenge—finding the strength to rise each morning without her father physically there. “When even the thought of losing someone terrifies you, actually living through it feels unbearable,” she shares. Yet she channeled her grief into growth, holding on to the values of humility, gratitude, and service that her parents instilled in her.

Another challenge came from balancing her many roles—model, blogger, author, entrepreneur, and spiritual guide. “Every day demands something different,” Riya explains. “There’s no perfect ratio for balancing personal and professional life. You stay flexible, listen to your heart, and prioritize what matters most in that moment.”

Values That Shape Her Path

Riya believes in surrendering to divine guidance and staying true to who she is. She carries a clear philosophy:

• Stay grounded and humble.

• Recognize everything as a blessing.

• Keep an open mind and heart.

• Spread love and help others whenever possible.

These principles guide her as she works to grow in every field she touches—from writing her next book to preparing for her upcoming projects.

What Keeps Her Moving Forward

Asked what fuels her ambition, Riya’s answer is simple: her parents. “They are my wind beneath my wings. Their faith in me makes me work harder, fight through challenges, and keep winning.” Her mother, once the quiet strength behind the family, has become a role model alongside her father. “Now my goal is to become an amazing combination of both of them,” Riya says.

Shaping the Future: Vision and Aspirations

Currently, Riya is focused on personal and professional growth—juggling projects in modeling, lifestyle blogging, and spiritual writing. She’s developing fresh content, working on her growth, and dedicating time to creative ventures.

Her long-term aspiration is clear: to continue her father’s legacy while building a life full of purpose, creativity, and service. She dreams of inspiring others to see life as a gift and to recognize the magic within themselves.

Advice to Young Women: Independence Begins Within

With debates around women’s independence everywhere, Riya offers a thoughtful perspective:

“Independence is not just about where you work, how much you earn financially, how you travel, or what you wear. True independence starts inside your mind, heart, and soul. When you are free from within, that strength reflects in every part of your life.”

“Life Can Be Magical”

Riya’s journey is more than a story of achievements—it’s a reminder that courage, faith, and love can turn pain into purpose. Whether she’s performing on stage, representing Gujarat in a pageant, or writing about spiritual growth, she carries her parents’ teachings as her anchor.

Her words linger long after the conversation ends:

“Life can be magical, if you believe in the magic of your God.”