Success Life Journey of Ajita Italiya & Jagdish Italiya

Hello Fitness Magazine selected the power couple Jagdish Iataliya & Ajita Italiya from Surat for its cover story. Both Belief in Humility, the Love of Animals, and, most importantly, belief in a healthy and fit lifestyle.  Jagdish Italiya and Ajita Italiya are the Proud Owners of Ajiliyaa, a successful singer, Writer, and Fit Cyclist.

Flashback

Rooted in Saurashtra, Gujarat, a kid observed his father work hard every single day to earn bread yet be kind and humble. Villages are encompassed with natural beauty, and this kid rode his bicycle every day, exploring nature one sunrise at a time. Then, one day, the family repositioned to the city of Surat for better opportunities carrying all the abstract emotions in the suitcase. Metro cities impart access to good education that paves the way to prosperity.

In a world parallel to this kid's, the universe raised a beautiful teen girl who had just graduated from school. An obedient daughter unaware of what life had planned for her, she chose to take familial responsibility and obey her father to begin a family with the boy pursuing engineering. They tied the knot at a tender age in the hope of a beautiful journey called LIFE. It is a happy, healthy family with two amazing kids, Yug and Kaarya.

"I have no regrets", quotes Ajita Italiya.

Today I ponder upon those days and realise the importance of education. I wouldn't say I was deprived of it, but yes, it's crucial for a human being to have a primary education, not for the world but oneself. Starting a family at 19 doesn't allow you to think about a career or education, and I was no different, laughs Ajita. Being a wife, a mother of two, and a homemaker kept her occupied to cloud her judgment until the day she realised her zest for learning. During their tenure in Mumbai, she decided to step out and educate herself in Hotel Management.

Mera Jeevan Kora kaagaz to Tari Aankh no Afini

Very fond of Gujarati folk, our protagonist Jagdish Italiya used to try his vocal skills on small notes now and then. He believes our Gujarati folk lyrics are way more potent than any other genre, and his efforts remain to add a tinge of youth and fun to appeal to the young crowd of India.

It was not until his song Tari aankh no afini hit the 8 million mark on Youtube that people recognised this man as a versatile singer. This love anthem was a surprise dedicated to his wife, Ajita, on their 17th anniversary, who was in the US during that time. The song was an impromptu choice, shot and recorded overnight and presented to her as their 17th wedding anniversary gift. The romantic husband uploaded it on his Youtube Channel, which went viral. This event created a sense of satisfaction in his mind, which got him focused on singing more. "Ajita was my inspiration for this song, and I am happy that I could make it on time!" says the doting husband. Apart from professional singing, music as a whole is satisfying. He believes it's not mandatory to meditate or perform yoga for mental health. Do what your heart says, and your mind will be at peace. For him, making his wife happy on their anniversary and seeing that tear drop down her eye when she realised he recreated this song for her was enough to deliver him peace. "That scene still brings tears of joy when I see him singing for me with so much affection", reminisced Ajita.

Paddling the battles, breaking records!

The man we are talking about here is a zealous explorer. Early morning sweeps, the milk man's horns, the hustle of newspaper vendors and witnessing the rising sun are his classy. Being fond of these rituals, he used to roam about the city on his bicycle to kick start the day. Although, initially, it was sheer fun, wandering around the town with friends, visiting unexplored places and hustling those pedals gave him immense joy. Upon realising the potential of this power-packed tool, he decided to patron a cycling club called LIFE CYCLING GREEN. He was always fascinated with the accessories, helmets and gears. Forte being into endurance, his interests in cycling grew to a level to hit a record by cycling for four days to reach a milestone of 1600 km.

"My son YUG inspired me into cycling," says Ajita.

She wasn't much into cycling until Yug and Jagdish Iataliya went to Leh. Since there were no women on that trip, she couldn't attend, and the father-son duo decided to go. This trip added the first feather to the kid's crown as he was the youngest kid to cycle from Manali to Khardungla at the age of 13. After returning, this kid had stories to narrate, and he went on and on about his experiences. These stories fascinated the mother, and she decided to experience the same. A couple of years later, the same group travelled to Spiti valley, and Ajita Italiya grabbed this opportunity. Safety, the only female in the group and a dangerous route were the causes of concern; however, the zeal kept her going only to hit a record as the first lady to cycle the Spiti Valley.

"My elder son YUG taught me parenting", quotes Jagdish.

During their father-son trip, there were instances when the insecure father used to protect the son by his nagging. However, the repercussions were contrasting to that expected by Jagdish. That moment he realised that it was not the kid but him who needed to keep his insecurities in check! He needed to channel the kid's immense power and energy, soon realising it. So they applied the strategy to the younger one and channelled his energy into cycling.

The kids won their parents' apprehension on a family cycling trip to Arunachal Pradesh. "I let him go; my heart was pounding," says Ajita Italiya with goosebumps. At the end of the expedition, I hugged him teary-eyed and realised his inherent potential. "It gave us confidence," confirmed Ajita. Though they are in their comfort zones during the year, taking them to these cycling trips where there are no luxuries, horrible climate, food is not good enough, and you are on your own gives them the strength to survive in the worst situations.

"Today, our kids might be slouching on their couches playing PS4, but we know their true potential that they can survive on their own," affirmed the couple.

Health always trends, just like fashion- The venture AJILIYAA!

My life as a family was just fine, I was busy with familial activities, taking part in school functions, etc., but one fine day, a visitor at home popped a question that startled me. He asked- what do YOU do as a profession? This query kept me thinking at night, and I realised the importance of the term CAREER and that indulging in your spouse's activities or household chores was not a career. This thought took the shape of a multi-designer store, a state of the art facility that projects fashion in a literal sense. With no background in fashion, just a zeal to do something for me made this venture happen. But it was still incomplete without food, and health was a priority for me. So a health café was innovative in thinking about the dear husbands who accompanied wives to Ajiliyaa, taking care of their taste buds while considering their nutrition needs. And hence Ajiliyaa is a complete package.

One interesting fact about Ajita is that after she ventured Ajiliyaa, she did a US certified course on Image Consultancy while she was in the US to justify her brand and her image.

Saddle and paddles keep them fit!

"Ajita and Karya were very fond of horses," declares Jagdish. Not to forget how fantastic a fitness tool horse riding is, these two made sure horses become a part of the family. A proud owner of 5 horses, this family saddles them with sheer affection. Team HFM got a chance to visit their half-done stud farm, and the team was amazed by their love for these stallions.

"You become more human when you communicate with an animal," believes the fitness enthusiast. It was a unanimous choice to pet a horse considering passion, fitness and love for equines. Kabir, our first adopted horse, was just 1.5 years old and is emotionally attached to us and playing with him infuses satisfaction at the end of the day!

"The kids are mostly seen at the farm, and we feel we have made the correct choices for them", says the brand owner of Ajiliyaa with pride.

Team HFM got a chance to visit their home, the farm, and meet the kids, where we realised the word HUMILITY. Today, this family is considered one of the state's topmost tycoons, yet their hospitality dazzled the team. Numerous cups of tea and coffee, countless laughs and a fantastic time with the family and their horses will remain in memories forever.

JAGDISH AND AJITA - From HFM's perspective!

The story of Jagdish and Ajita and their achievements are an open book for all, and mostly everyone's well aware of. But team HFM discovered something beyond everyone's perspective.

To list out Ajita's achievements:

• Completed Hotel Management course post marriage
• A US certified Image Consultant
• First woman cyclist to cross Spiti Valley
• First woman cyclist to cycle around in perilous trails of Arunachal Pradesh (Miao to Annini)
• A fabulous singer
• A brand owner - Ajiliyaa
• A book writer - Sincerely Yours (a novel but a diary of an aspiring woman exploring her identity at every aspect of her life)
• Bagged numerous awards for being so iconic
• Numbered as An Icon Of Excellence by Forbes India

And the list is endless. She's a wife, a mother, a cyclist, a vocalist, a fashionista, an entrepreneur but most of all, a woman of determination. Her determination to eliminate the identity crisis that arose due to one question led her to achieve those heights that a woman might only dream of. Therefore, one must not look at what she has achieved but how she has earned it. Who would have thought that a subtle teenage girl would one day become the talk of the town not for her status but her immensely acquired achievements?

Not forgetting the adorable life partner, Jagdish Iataliya, who lived up to the wedding vows he bore while circling that holy fire in all its true meaning. It is said, Behind every successful man, there's a woman. We say, Behind every successful woman, there's a supportive husband.

Jagdish Italiya truly supported Ajita Italiya in every aspect of her life and respected each decision that she made for herself. He always had her back no matter what. His undying love, care, support and most of all faith, was what caught our attention. Jagdish Italiya is genuinely one man of honour.

Rapid Fire with Jagdish Italiya

Favourite food: Pav bhaaji

Go to person: Ajita (my wife)

Workout style: Cycling

Cheat meal: Redbull

A celebrity you follow most: Ashutosh Rana

Sports brand: Nike

A book close to your heart: Not a book person at all but if I want to mention then it’s Sincerely yours by Ajita Italiya

A movie that touched your soul: Hellaro

Choose one from below——

Comfort or style: Comfort always

Indian food or other delicacies: Indian always

Theatres or OTT: Both

Tea or coffee: Neither tea nor coffee

Cat person or dog person: Horse

Mountains or beaches: Both

Late sleeper or early riser: Early riser for sure even if I sleep late

Message for HF readers:

We have one life and we have to live it the best… So, by being healthy we can have the best out of it.

Rapid Fire with Ajita Italiya

Comfort or style: Comfort in style

Indian food or other delicacies: Authentic Dishes

Theatres or OTT: Theatre

Tea or coffee: Both

Cat person or dog person: Dog

Mountains or beaches: Mountains

Late sleeper or early riser: Late sleeper