At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Purva Singh for an exclusive interview with us. Purva is an Internationally Certified Life Coach, Founder at Bhagwani, an International Legal Consultancy. Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Purva:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I began my legal career as a BA LLB (Honours) student interning with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). This experience gave me a ringside view of the development sector, especially the workings of the United Nations system. I was able to see firsthand how law can be a powerful tool for international agencies to advance public health and drive sustainable development.
After my graduation, I joined one of India’s leading law firms as part of the Intellectual Property Rights team. Alongside my corporate practice, I undertook consultancy assignments with the World Bank in the energy sector, which deepened my understanding of the important role of legal frameworks in infrastructure development.
Thereafter, I pursued my LLM (Master of Laws) from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, specialising in legal issues relevant to the developing world. This academic experience paved the way for my transition into the international development sector.
I joined the World Health Organization (WHO) as their first in-country Legal Officer within the pharmaceutical team. In this role, I worked directly with the WHO-LEG headquarters in Geneva, advising on intellectual property rights, compliance and diplomatic immunity, and interacted with various government authorities. This position gave me a unique and in-depth insight into the functioning of a large operations based UN agency in the public health domain, as well as the challenges of being an in-house legal counsel.
Over the next seven years, I continued to serve across the United Nations system as a public health lawyer, engaging at the intersection of law, diplomacy, and global health policy. My most recent role was as Advisor to the Union Health Minister of Family & Welfare, Government of India, where I had the privilege of organising a G20 Summit in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. As a part of the G20 engagement, I also had the privilege of travelling to Brazil with the India delegation to attend the Stop TB board meeting.
Currently, I run my own international legal consultancy, Bhagwani, where I advise clients on legal and policy matters. I am also an internationally certified life coach, running PIVOT Life Coaching by Purva specialising in education, career and well-being. Given time constraints time and other professional commitments, I chose to begin this exciting journey by working with a niche clientele.
How did you discover your passion?
For me, law is not just a profession—it is a way of life. It resonates with me at every level: human, intellectual, and spiritual. In many ways, I see law as closely connected with Dhamma (or Dharam)—the law of nature that is universal and equally applicable to all. This innate sense of justice has been with me since childhood, guided by values of equality, equity, respect, and dignity for all, especially the vulnerable.
From a young age, friends and family, and later colleagues, often reached out to me for career guidance and counselling. The real turning point, however, came when I was invited to serve at a meditation centre.
Over the course of ten days, I witnessed the profound resilience of the human spirit—the grit, perseverance, and transformation of individuals striving to become the best version of themselves. This experience ignited my passion for life coaching, inspiring me to create a structured way to serve and positively impact more lives.
After 15 years as an international legal consultant, I felt drawn to devote a part of my journey to life coaching, using my experience and skillset to support people in unlocking their potential.
The response has been humbling—positive feedback, client success stories, and encouragement from my professional and personal networks has reaffirmed that this path is meaningful and immensely satisfying. However, I see this as just the beginning; there is still much more to learn and contribute.
I have always been deeply interested in health, well-being, and spirituality. I have practiced yoga since childhood and later became a certified beginner-level yoga instructor. My spiritual journey started thanks to my yoga instructor, followed by Reiki (Level II certification, 2010). I then trained in Satvik cooking and lifestyle. Since June 2019, I am a dedicated meditator of Vipassana.
At the core of everything I do—whether in law or life coaching —is the belief that to be of service is the highest calling. I remain committed to supporting individuals and institutions discover their fullest potential, while also evolving continuously on my own path.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
One of the biggest challenges of my career came during the pandemic years, when the public health sector was thrust with the primary responsibility to battle a pandemic while being in the global spotlight.
Suddenly, all eyes were on WHO. While we worked behind the scenes, each of us was taking on the workload of four to ten people. The sheer volume, intensity, and pressure could easily overwhelm anyone.
Yet, amid the hardship, there was a hidden blessing: people finally started taking their health, especially mental health seriously. The period also saw public health, the dedicated healthcare workforce, and eventually, public health law received the recognition it deserved.
Serving as the Legal Coordinator for the Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) team at the WHO Country Office for India, we technically supported the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare primarily on tobacco control law and policy, alcohol regulations, and road safety and injuries related matters. Despite the testing circumstances, our team worked tirelessly—producing high-quality, meticulously researched papers and reports for the Health Ministry, and publishing three books in collaboration with WHO and the National Law School of India University, Bangalore.
Of course, the personal and emotional toll of each individual was undeniable. Every team member faced struggles of their own. I tried to lead online yoga meditation sessions for my WHO colleagues when time permitted to boost our morale and build team spirit.
Together, we chose to channel our energy into advancing public health, using law as a powerful tool for health promotion in the country. Looking back, those years not only tested us but also reaffirmed the transformative role of law in strengthening health systems and protecting lives.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
The first and most important lesson of my life has been of resilience. I believe there is no circumstance that one cannot overcome With hard work, perseverance, and the sheer grit of the human spirit, there is no challenge we cannot overcome. Human will and persistent effort has the potential to move mountains.
The second lesson has been about the universal truth of change. Both testing and pleasant circumstances are temporary—they will pass. The more we cultivate detachment from these fluctuations or shall we say practice non-attachment, the more we remain grounded in equanimity and balance.
The third lesson is about having an abiding faith in the positive energies of the universe. When we consciously choose a path that does not harm others, and our wholesome actions promote collective well-being, we naturally become more compassionate and loving.
This faith in the universal law of nature brings with it forgiveness, non-judgment, and acceptance. By embracing people and circumstances as they are, we come to peace with the present moment—and in that acceptance, we discover real joy.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all success mantra, but I do believe there are certain fundamental truths that cannot be ignored:
1) The dignity of hard work. No matter how much privilege you are born into, never shy away from hard work—whether academic, intellectual, mental, or physical. I learned this from my parents, who not only emphasised discipline but also equipped me with the life skills to take care of myself and those around me. Too often, in India, we take these skills for granted and do not pass them on to others. My spiritual teacher also echoes this view: that many lifestyle diseases can be prevented with simple, active, self-reliant living. Hard work builds resilience, keeps entitlement at bay, and ensures that rewards are truly sustained and fulfilling.
2) Love—rooted in respect. Yes, love makes the world go round. But for me, love means universal compassion, not the highly romanticised version marketed to us. In fact, the only thing higher than love is respect—anchored inhealthy boundaries. The best companionships, whether personal or professional, are built on friendship, shared values, common interests, and camaraderie.
3) The power of mentorship. The right mentorship and guidance can change your life. Good role models help you visualise and aspire to your best version. You may find them in school, at work, at home, in books, or even in podcasts. But you must actively seek the right kind of guidance—otherwise modern day distractions can easily derail you from your true path.
4) Health is your greatest wealth. Your biggest strength is not material—it is your physical and mental health. Please prioritise it at any cost.If the pandemic taught us anything, it is the urgency of investing in health daily. Nurture your body, guard your mind, and make lifestyle choices that sustain well-being. Without health, no ambition can stand.
5) Trusting your inner compass. Statistics and numbers can be manipulated, but energy never lies. Call it intuition, gut feeling or inner voice—this quiet guide is your most authentic source of wisdom. Take time each day, even a few minutes, to sit with yourself and hone this inner power. It will carry you through the vicissitudes of life better than any external marker of success.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
My only advice is this: build your resilience and grit. These are the prime determinants of success in both personal and professional life.
Professionally, take time to look around, gain knowledge, and collect experiences—they will guide you toward what truly excites you. A good starting point is to ask yourself: What problem can I help solve in this world? When you choose to be part of the solution, and when your work is driven by a spirit of service rather than just the pursuit of material accolades, the energies of the universe align with you.
Remember, learning is a continuous process. Keep reinventing yourself, keep upskilling, and stay curious. With hard work, perseverance, and goodwill towards others, you will not only carve your own niche but also gradually grow into a leader in your domain.
Last but not least, what about your journey, what makes it satisfying/exciting?
The most rewarding part of my journey has been the lives that have been positively impacted along the way. My heart swells with gratitude every time I witness a transformation—when someone, through commitment and grit, chooses to break free from self-limiting beliefs and takes empowered steps toward his or her life goals.
Some of these stories are shared on the PIVOT Life Coaching Instagram page, and each time I read them, I feel overwhelming joy. To know that I played even a small role in sparking hope, clarity, or inspiration in someone’s life is deeply moving and gratifying.
No number, no statistic, no external recognition or validation compares to the feeling of receiving feedback that someone feels inspired, hopeful and positive after our interactions. For me, that is the highest reward.
With a balance of professional and spiritual skillset, Purva can be best described as the ‘Modern Yogini’.
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