Our Finalists

I hail from Kanpur, where I received my education and grew up. Over the past ten
years, I've experienced life in various cities such as Delhi, Jamnagar, and Ahmedabad in
Gujarat. During this time, I was deeply inspired by the remarkable work of Smt Ela Bhatt, a
renowned women's rights activist based in Gujarat. From her, I learned the invaluable art of
making a tangible impact on society by working diligently without any ostentation. I've strived to
apply these principles in my government service, aiming to effect genuine change in the
communities I serve.
The last decade has been a rollercoaster of experiences for me—both uplifting and
challenging. I ventured into public service, married the person I chose, and am now a proud
parent of two wonderful daughters. Stepping out of my comfort zone, I navigated through
different cities, often managing both my professional responsibilities and caring for my children
alone. Amidst these events, I faced the heart-wrenching losses of my younger brother and
father, testing my resilience and strength. While the process of healing was arduous, it
ultimately forged a stronger and more resilient version of myself.
Currently, my husband and I are stationed in the same city, granting us the gift of
togetherness and allowing me the opportunity for self-exploration. I perceive this significant
juncture in my life as a chance for profound self-realization. To be candid, the process of
preparing for this esteemed event has already been an immensely enriching experience for me.

When I look back at my life, i see myself flowing with time, as if destiny has planned
everything for me and I am getting everything without many efforts. Passing an exam for which
millions of candidates compete does not give me any great sense of achievement, or even
marrying a man who is the love of my life. In last few years, due to postings in different states, I
have been raising my two beautiful kids alone, and simultaneously carrying my official duties
responsibly. Thankfully we are together now, but the upbringing I have given my kids during
these years with all the hardships gives a sense of achievement.

A family, in which your immediate family members live together, is the ideal case. It's
great if the larger family, which includes your relatives, colleagues, neighbours and close
friends, are in good health, having no major health issues and financially independent, if not too
well off. The most important thing for a happy family in my understanding is the sense of
togetherness. In current times, families are scattered and physically distant. Even then if they
are in touch, communicate with each other without any filters, and care for each other that will
be the best possible happy family.

Genuine beauty resides within a person's mind. When an individual embodies virtues

such as kindness, empathy, patience, loyalty, and truthfulness, they exemplify an outstanding
human being. When complemented by external attributes like confidence, a pleasant
appearance, and authentic behavior, they blossom into a truly beautiful person. Authentic
beauty transcends mere appearance or physical traits such as height, looks, body structure,
color, or race. It's effortless to be misled by superficial looks and physical appearance, while it
requires time to truly discern the genuine beauty of an individual.

Honestly, the idea of winning or participating in a beauty pageant never crossed my
mind. It was more of a spontaneous decision prompted by a sudden intrigue in the event.
However, as I delved into the preparations—reflecting on my own identity, discovering my
talents, and contemplating what I could present—I unexpectedly began an introspective journey.
I ventured into new territories by learning to dance, rekindled my passion for embroidery, and
started prioritizing self-care, elements that had either never existed in my life or had faded away
over time. This process not only allowed me to rediscover forgotten parts of myself but also
encouraged a significant shift in how I approach both my personal and professional life. I
observe a noticeable change within me, and I find myself thoroughly enjoying this transformative
journey sparked by my participation in this esteemed event.

• I've observed a concerning trend where people are increasingly becoming staunch and
  inflexible in their beliefs. The unfettered access to the internet and the widespread, sometimes
  irresponsible, use of social media platforms seem to be contributing to this shift. There's a
  diminishing level of tolerance towards differing viewpoints, which significantly hampers the
  potential for constructive dialogue, whether in a group setting or between individuals. It appears
  as though the continuous evolution of civilization, particularly since the advent of common
  language and communication, has hit a roadblock or even regressed. People tend to immerse
  themselves in information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs, inadvertently propelling them
  towards extremes. This recent change, propelled by advancing technology, is disquieting for
  me.

I resonate deeply with the essence of Gandhi's words, "Be the change you want to see
in the world." This quote, more than any other motivational saying I've encountered,
encapsulates my beliefs. It emphasizes the importance of initiating change within ourselves first,
rather than expecting others to embody the goodness we desire. It's crucial to focus on inner
growth, nurturing positive transformations, and sustaining those changes before anticipating
similar behaviors from others. Moreover, we shouldn't anticipate the world to replicate our
actions, but rather continue doing good without expectations.
For instance, if I seek truthfulness and fairness from others, I must embody those virtues
within myself first. To expect these qualities without practicing them would be hypocritical.
Similarly, if I aspire for a clean and well-maintained society, I must refrain from littering and take

the initiative to keep my surroundings clean.I strongly believe that if everyone comprehends and
applies this principle, the world will inherently become a much better place.

There is indeed much progress yet to be made in advancing the empowerment of
women. One significant aspect I am passionate about is working towards enhancing women's
independence, particularly in their ability to make decisions about their lives and to achieve
financial autonomy. While financial independence might not be the singular solution to women's
empowerment, it can undeniably serve as a catalyst, providing countless women with the
freedom to pursue their aspirations.
I believe that the first step towards this empowerment is raising awareness about its
importance. It's crucial to inform and educate women about the advantages and opportunities
that come with being financially independent.
While various entities such as central and state governments, NGOs, and international
organizations are actively working in this domain, I am dedicated to contributing by reaching out
to and educating as many women as possible. My goal is to bring them into the fold of
empowerment, enabling them to recognize their potential and actively participate in shaping
their futures.

Two months ago, if asked the same question, my response would have been dismissive,
stating that it hardly matters. However, undergoing the process of preparation has significantly
altered my perspective. I now view it as a journey towards heightened self-awareness and
inching closer to self-actualization. The positive changes I've witnessed within myself during this
process have prompted me to reconsider the significance of winning. I'm astounded by the
enriching nature of this journey and wonder about the world that winning could unveil. At
present, winning has evolved into a significant goal for me.
Each step, whether it's preparing an introduction video, attending auditions, learning to
dance, or even engaging with questionnaires like this one, has pushed me to explore my inner
self, challenge my limits, and grow. Winning this esteemed title is not merely an endpoint;
instead, it signifies the commencement of an exhilarating new chapter in my life.

I acknowledge that while I might experience a bit of stage fear due to a lack of regular
public speaking practice, it's a challenge I'm working to overcome. However, in the pursuit of my
goals, I've consistently approached tasks with confidence and dedication. I've seen success
through my wholehearted efforts, even though I've faced setbacks or failures along the way.
Reflecting on those instances, I've learned that giving my absolute best, pouring in focused
attention, understanding the requirements, and continuously improving is the key. I firmly

believe that with complete dedication and a positive mindset, I can conquer any challenge and
achieve my goals.