So when I had a bit of a health scare late last year, I decided I needed to do everything in my power to live life to the fullest... in all my roles “ be it as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, as a friend or even in my professional life.
My illness magnified everything for me and gave me a completely new perception of life. It taught me that everyday is a new day and that we need to take every opportunity we can to just live, be happy, to inspire, embrace, motivate and connect with others.
Which brings me to the Mrs Goa Pageant. A challenge I simply had to take on, given my new mantra for life....
But watching a beauty pageant from the comfort of your home, and actually being in one are two completely different ball games. Because just as it takes a lot of grit, gumption and hard work to achieve success in life, so it is for pageants.
And that’s not all it takes. Standing in front of a crowd, knowing that you are being judged takes guts. Speaking to an audience and answering the judge’s questions requires skill and presence of mind. Even just standing there on that ramp, lights blazing, requires that you overcome your stage fright and social anxiety, if any.
That is why I applaud the ladies that stood on that ramp with me. Because it was a true transformation to see everyone change from shy and nervous on audition day to confident, self-assured women that rocked the ramp. Because nothing compares to that feeling you get when you do go out there, empowered, and feeling good about yourself.
In this regard, pageants are truly empowering. And they are so much fun “ Not just because of the preening and pampering involved, but also because of the wide variety of people you meet, the friendships that develop along the way, and the mentors you gain for life.
Forging new friendships
Whenever I heard other pageant contestants say that they genuinely became friends with the other women, and it was not the catty sniping people assume, it did sound a bit too good to be true.
But now I understand the sentiment. Yes, beauty pageants are essentially a competition. Yet, even with all the girls competing against each other, it is also a place where many friendships are forged. And it’s certainly not as catty as everyone expects.
The girls you compete with become your friends. After all, it’s about solidarity and standing together. So despite competing for the same title, everyone is supportive of one another.
First runners-up Dr Priya Rao was always there, whether to hold my hand or to zip me up. Shreya Prameet Phaldessai ever ready to help and do good for another, Roshni Shaikh “ a truly generous soul and Anita Postwalla, who was indeed deserving of the sub-title of Miss Congeniality.
Social outreach
Most beauty pageants across the world serve as a vehicle for environmental-social-humanitarian outreach. As part of the Mrs Goa pageant, contestants visited various old age home, orphanages and cancer care hospitals in a bid to encourage social responsibility.
Another vertical of this pageant is its participation in the ‘Beti bachao, beti paahao abhiyan’ that this platform has been linked to ever since its inception and in such a big way. And if walking the ramp can give the contestants such an awesome adrenaline rush, which leaves them feeling like they can accomplish anything, and meet any challenge life throws their way, just imagine what a difference it can make to the lives of the little girls who also walked the very same ramp as part of the campaign.
But backstage is where the magic really happens
While the finale and the crowning happens in a matter of hours, the magic is what really happens backstage and in the weeks and months of hard work leading up to the main event.
Special appreciation goes to Thasveer M Salim of Media Waves for organising such a lovely event and providing married women (some of whom claimed to need a morale boost, while others came from as far as Sanquelim in Sattari) with such a beautiful platform.
A big thank you to Anna Tharakan of Anna Artistry for all the mentoring, grooming, encouragement and support and most importantly, for making us look like such divas; Mrs Goa 2017 Samiksha Karmalkar Harji for the inspiration and the love, Sweety Fernandes Pereira for all the backstage support, and all the judges along the way “ acclaimed designer Monty Sally, founder of Mrs India Jazpreet Kaur, founder-Sheenergy Sonu Dabral, lecturer-Government Polytechnic Rahila Khan, and noted fashion designer Julie D’mello... Thank you for deeming me worthy of the crown.
”Heather Fernandes-Colaco
Mrs Goa 2018
