“Outside beauty has a shelf life”

SHINATA CHAUHAN, SECOND RUNNER-UP AT THE RECENTLY HELD MISS INDIA 2022 PAGEANT HAILS FROM UTTAR PRADESH. THE 21 YEAR OLD WAS CROWNED MISS TEEN INDIA EXQUISITE AT THE AGE OF 16, AND SHE LATER REPRESENTED INDIA AT THE USA’S EXQUISITE INTERNATIONAL PAGEANT.

- NAMITA GUPTA

1. When and how did you realise that this is what you want to do?

Miss India! My lifelong dream! My first attempt at Miss India wasn’t a complete failure but I didn’t make it to my destination. And that just completely made me realise how badly I wanted to reach there. So I took three years to re prepare myself, mentally physically and emotionally, reprogram my mind and heart and to gather the confidence to walk the runway again and to turn the dream into a reality.

2. What are the hurdles you had to face to reach where you are today?

The most difficult was to convince everyone that there are different career options apart from the regular ones. I was studious and had a safe career, but choosing a different path and that too unknown was a struggle. I had no clue what it was, but research and my mom’s support helped me to reach where I am today.

3. Please share some of the highpoints of your journey so far?

Mostly it’s the love that I am receiving from people. I’m happy that I am able to inspire the younger generation and they tell me that they want to become like me. That feeling is the biggest high and no material success compares to it. I was felicitated by my own school and college. The CM of UP and many more respectable delegates met me and told me that they see potential in me to bring about a change in the country.

4. What in your view did you have that gave you an edge over others in the pageant? Which language comes closest to your heart?