Uneasy is the head that wears the crown. Meet these city girls who are fabulous at their age and have crossed all hurdles to follow their dreams and win coveted titles with their sheer grit and determination.
BY NAMITA GUPTA
The first step: Entering the glam world wasn’t a conscious or planned decision, it just happened. I was in the fashion field and had my fashion label, so the transition was quite smooth for me. My friend Veena Bhat insisted that I participate in Mrs Karnataka, so I took the plunge. I was the first runner up Mrs Karnataka (2016) and after that there was no looking back.
The turning point: I was the winner of Mrs India (MIBQ) in the classic category (above 40 years) 2016. From there they sent me to Las Vegas to participate in Mrs Globe Classic. I was the first contestant from India so it was a huge responsibility. The biggest turning point in my life was when I entered the fashion business from Italy. It was like a dream come true as I wasn’t a trained fashion professional and here I was handling a fashion brand at an international level. I was thrilled to travel to Italy in a business visa every time. I understood if you have a passion it can take you anywhere and nothing is impossible.
The challenges: My first Mrs Karnataka pageant was challenging, as there were some girls who were younger than my daughter. Winning the pageant was the most beautiful feeling. When I look back it brings a smile on my face and I couldn’t be more grateful.
The journey: The experience was beautiful as I learnt a lot specially from the international pageant. Honestly the most important lesson I learnt was that everyone has a right to love themselves and chase their dreams, happiness and find what they really want to do with their lives.
How has life changed after winning the crown: My life has changed a lot after the pageant. While I get a lot of attention and endorsements, it has made me stronger internally. I feel I’m a better person. I now have a more positive outlook towards life. I love to dress up well and look glamorous. I love to travel the world. I’m from Mangalore and living in Bangalore has given me a lot of exposure.
Future plans: I want to encourage ladies specially of my age group to follow their passion and dreams. If a lady makes up mind nothing is impossible.
