Aditi Arya, a research analyst at Ernst & Young, also happens to be India's official representative at the 65th Miss World 2015 beauty pageant, after being crowned the Femina Miss India World 2015. She has a clear vision of what lies ahead and the different ways she can make a difference to society. Here, she speaks with us about her victory, her alternate career as a research analyst, and the fluid and non-superficial nature of beauty.
Q. How does it feel to be crowned Miss India? What relevance does the contest have according to you?
A. It's a great feeling; a strange mix of happiness and responsibility to live up to. The honour entails a lot of hard work to hold it high for others to emulate — before and after the pageant.
The contest offers young girls a plank to expand their potential and prove their mettle by providing them a range of opportunities. It opens up numerous avenues and opportunities, besides playing an instrumental role in shaping up the destiny of the young and upcoming achievers and allowing for our self discovery.
All the participating contestants are beautiful in their own diverse ways, to say the least. Besides "beauty", the combination of brains, professionalism and personality is also put to test for any pageant.
The crown means a lot to me, and it enables me to touch millions of hearts through my action and opinion. It may sound clichéd, but I wouldn't have lived a true life had I lived it only for myself. The crown empowers me to create a world of wonders, for myself and for society as well.
Q. You have worked as a research analyst with Ernst & Young. How did you make the shift to modelling?
A. I started directly with the pageant by applying for Miss India Delhi in December 2014. That was my first attempt to venture into the glam world. And I am still working for Ernst & Young, where I have been given some leeway to suit my tight work schedule.
Q. Who do you consider your role models in this arena?
A. I hold Sushmita Sen and Priyanka Chopra in high regard. These classic beauties with brains have dedicated their lives to constructive causes.
Q. What are your future aspirations?
A. Given the diverse background I come from, I wish to work on multi-strategic projects that could bring sustainable change to our shaky system. I would like to build a diverse profile for myself, thereby grabbing the opportunities coming my way. I would also like to build entrepreneurial models for women from the neglected strata of society and work for their upliftment. At a young age where your opinion may not matter much to the masses, the crown brings you into the limelight instantly and empowers you in a big way, where your voice is heard and your opinion matters. It comes with powers that can be used to bring a change to society; in fact, the best power is to share the benefits with those who are powerless.
Q. Do you have any plans to venture into Bollywood, or do you want to continue with modelling?
A. I haven't thought of it as of now. It depends on what life throws at me. For now, I am concentrating on the Miss World Pageant and also devoting time for a few academic and professional commitments that I am currently involved in.
I have been an active multi-tasker and am working on various aspects of my persona from the pageant point of view [for the Miss World pageant]. The Miss India Organisation is providing me with the best industry experts and trainers to support my grooming under their protective patronage.
Q. The most unforgettable moment of your life that you would like to share with us?
A. I had prayed to the almighty God for a baby sister every night for 10 long years of my life. The day she joined us turned out to be an unforgettable moment not only for me, but for the entire family.
http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/miss-indias-crown-and-her-new-world-of-wonders
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