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Jani presenting a project at the Brazilan Senate
Impactful work in Brazil and beyond its borders
Interview with Jani Nayar By Tera Brooks
From India to Brazil , Jani Nayar ’ s life journey is nothing short of amazing . When we first met , pleasantries were exchanged which is customary in interviews , but by the time we were done , I felt like I had been talking to a close friend . I could not help but be drawn to Jani ’ s kind and welcoming demeanor . Her enthusiasm was contagious , and you could see her passion for the work she does with the Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality ( SATH ).
Jani was born and raised in Trivandrum , which is the southwestern state of India . She lived with her parents and four siblings . In her home , family was very important - years later her parents would take in her uncle ’ s children when he passed away . She reminisced on the happy times with her siblings and cousins whom she adores . Jani attended one of the biggest high schools for girls in Asia and performed well academically , later attending Maharajah
College for Women . Many of the women in her family attended this college . Jani obtained a degree in home science . This degree concentrated on language , psychology , physiology , sociology , diet and nutrition . Although she enjoyed academics , Jani had a desire to be active and so played tennis and field hockey . At that time , in her culture , women obtained degrees but did not work outside of volunteering unless they had a prestigious career like a doctor .