December 28:
Q:-Firstly Congratulations, So Poonam Please tell us something about yourself?
Thank you for your wishes.
I am from Mumbai, started my career after I got married; while most people think life ends after marriage, it was the other way around for me. I hold a masters degree in journalism, have worked as a newsreader/anchor with a leading news channel in the past and am now a freelance journalist. I’m also a trained radio jockey because I love to talk. I have worked on several modelling assignments and have done many ads. I have also done a film (unreleased) and have been offered a web series; if things work out well should start working on it soon. Fingers crossed.
Q:-How did Mrs India happen?
Ans:-The credit goes to my friends and family. They have always pushed me to reach my maximum potential. They insisted I should participate in a Pageant like this and were sure, if I did, I would definitely win, so the entire credit goes to them for always encouraging, supporting and helping me achieve all my dreams. As a child, I’ve always fancied beauty pageants but never really thought that I would be a part of it someday, and now, after winning Mrs India Earth as one of the top three winners and getting the Mrs Photogenic and Mrs Popular award, I feel great.
Q:-How do you feel after winning?
Ans :-I’m overwhelmed and so glad I participated. There was a very tough competition as the contestants were from various fields, from across the globe, so talented, so beautiful, and so well prepared. Each one of them was an achiever in their own right and had made it to the finalist. So reaching here, when you have such tough competition, is a very special feeling altogether. And this was all thanks to my family, my Bhabhi-Sushma Mishra, my Bhaiya-Rohit Mishra, my Husband-Vikas Chaubey, my Daughter-Avantika Chaubey and my In-laws-Krishna Kumar Chaubey and Sadhana Chaubey. My designer-Shaili and my coach-Rita Gangwani, also supported and helped me a lot. All of them have been of Supreme help to me; without them, I don’t think this would have been possible. Because doing anything like this is not easy, it takes a village of people to get everything done. And I’m so grateful I had all of them in my life.
Q:-Did you come across any hurdles through your journey?
Ans:-Hurdles! No, I don’t think so, I look at it that way, I am a 21st century woman, and I believe in finding solutions. If Plan A doesn’t work, you have to move to Plan B. I don’t give up, I can multi-task, and if I set my heart on to something, I really make sure I get it. My mantra for success is ,’stay focussed, determined and disciplined and you shall have whatever you want in life.’
Q:-How did you prepare for it ?
Ans :-A lot of hard work, dedication and commitment is needed. I had to follow strict workout regimes, super strict diet, keep myself updated, practice a lot on my walk with heels, balance work with family had sleepless nights and have to give on all the comforts to prepare myself. It’s not at all easy. Having said that, I would also like to add that anything is possible if you have the right people with you, like your family, your coach, your designer, makeup artist and many others.
I’m so grateful for all of them, especially my coach Ms Rita Gangwani who was extremely helpful and supportive. She’s a fantastic mentor and helped me spot my potential and made me believe that I could do it and come out in flying colours.
Q:-Whats your take on women empowerment?
Ans:-I am a woman, and I don’t think there is anything in this world that I can’t do. I think we already possess dynamic abilities in ourselves, and we don’t need any kind of empowerment. I read it somewhere,”if you want to see how powerful a woman is, just try to take her child away and see how she reacts.”
The least one can do is not create unnecessary hurdles and see what she can achieve.
And to my fellow sisters, to all the homemakers, everyone who’s trying, I want to tell you, you matter, you’re important, and you are doing great. If there is anything you want to achieve in life, you can, and you should, do not neglect your dreams and desires. If you want it, go get it. Just the way I did.
Q:- Can you enlighten us with your future career plans?
Ans: I am an actor and model by profession. Hence, I would like to work in the same direction. My focus would be choosing the right films and doing some meaningful cinema.