22/09/2017
He started his work life at a very tender age of 16 - 17 years , helping his uncle in one of the family business of trading in sea food at crawford market.
With the business acumen that he acquired at a tender age , he further on in life managed to have his own construction company and his own restaurant.
In the early 90's he had everything going for him as planned . At a young age , he was the CEO of East West Constructions , he also owned and ran a famous Mughlai restaurant in Khandala , which served the best butter chicken in the 150 km radius.
He was always a outdoor person and loved the flora and fauna that the Indian subcontinent had to offer. But his responsibilities always kept him away from the wild . Then one day the wilderness bug bit him real hard and he gave everything up and started off on a journey , which only a few can dream of and even fewer can accomplish.
His destination was a small village named Kusur , inhabited by the local adivasi and surrounded by the sahyadri mountain ranges , which was teeming with wildlife . When he commenced to convert the wilderness into his home , it was more of a barren ground with only 3 standing trees. During his tenure in Kusur , he personally planted more than a 1000 evergreen saplings , which during the course of time grew into large trees . The barren land was converted into a lush green abode , with a small eco system of its own.
As a rare and unique individual , he has donned a lot of stetson hats on his capable head . From being one of the best Marwari horse to big dog breeders and trainer in the country, to being one of the best farmhouse architects and landscapers that western Maharashtra has to offer . He is also famous for training and breeding the notorious Belgian Malinois.
Its now been more than 30 years , that this man has been living in the wild and has been living the jeep lifestyle in the true sense.
Without further ado , its a great honour and a matter of privilege to introduce our followers to the " living legend " Junaid Merchant. at 6 feet 2 inches tall and well built ,to strangers he comes across as a eccentric and no nonsense personality . But for friends he is a Big gentle giant , humble despite all the accomplishments in his life , a man still in touch with his values passed on to him by his father , mother and uncle , a man who stands by you during your trying times , a man who intensely indulges in charity work without the world knowing about it .
The best host , a thorough gentleman , impeccable dressing sense along with impeccable local dialect and victorian english with the diction to match it . One of the most charming and the most ruggedly handsome man i have ever met in person.
Junaid bhai ( as we lovingly call him ) has built , restored and driven more vintage jeeps that we can think about . He has owned and maintained everything thing , from a 1942 ford to a land rover defender .
In this introduction , we shall highlight his CJ2A which has been with him , since he moved to the wilderness and has worked like a mule and a daily transport.
once again , it is a matter of honour and special privilege to have him as a part of this humble group . Thank you Junaid Merchant for being a part of our lives and making us a part of your life as well.
inset ( in London attending the crufts dog show , along with one of his clients and a Belgian Malinois , at his estate and the legendary CJ2A in its full glory )
