This crown is a reminder to every woman that it’s not about what you look like or how you dress or what body size you are, it’s a reminder that if you’re honest and true to the essence of yourself and you genuinely stay grounded and wear your personality on your sleeve, you will win hearts and that is of so much more value than any crown that you will ever win in a lifetime.
1. Tell us about your background and journey?
I am SVP and Head - Marketing and Communications at Anviti Insurance Brokers With over 15 years of work experience in Marketing, Communications, and CSR across industries, I have worked and consulted with corporate groups and start-ups like First Advantage, CoreObjects, Wooqer, Collabera, JGI, Creative Geeks, Write Impressions, Toozio Technologies Pvt Ltd. Previously, I was Director – Marketing, Communications, Product, and CSR at First Advantage.
I am on the advisory board of several companies and not for profits and am an entrepreneurship mentor. These include – The Ibnii, Promise Foundation, SCORE, and DezynSmith. I am a Trustee with WOW, Brand Ambassador for Vidya Foundation, Mentor and Advisor to Assistive Technology Foundation, Hope Works Foundation, and work with several NGOs for social impact.
I started my own consulting firm called Onyx Communications in 2006 and worked with start-ups to set up their marketing and communication modules. Top 50 Most Talented CMO’s in India, Top 100 Most Influential Marketing Leaders by CMO Asia and World Marketing Congress in 2015 and 2016 and The Top 50 Most Talented Corporate Communications Leaders in India by Corporate Affairs in 2015 and The Greatest Marketing Influencers in 2017 and 2018 are some of the industry awards that I have been conferred.
More recently I have been listed in the 40 under 40 class of 2017 young leaders in Communications by Reputation Today. I have also won the awards Woman Achiever of The Year by Insurance Alerts and Emerging Leader in MarComm by exchange4media in 2020. I was also awarded the Indian Achiever Award in 2020.
A graduate degree in Environmental Science and Honors in English Literature, Journalism and Media Studies, and a Mass Communications Post Graduation, with a Gold Medal from SBMJC – Centre for Management Studies, Bangalore is my education credentials. I started her career as a journalist for The Hindu and continues to write articles for magazines and newspapers.
I teach and engage with colleges as a visiting faculty and am on the Academy Board of SBMJC – CMS. I am an active contributor to magazines and newspapers and have several published articles in the space of Women and Gender, Marketing, Communications and CSR, and the social sector. I author a column on Leadership and Communications called Forward Leap for Reputation Today.
I am a Diversity and Inclusion champion and work with Corporates as a trainer and speaker and conducts workshops on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality. I write on this subject and conduct education sessions on the topic. I have been convenor of the POSH committees across organizations and conducts training programs in the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace.
A champion of causes relating to the environment, women empowerment, and children, I have volunteered and worked with organizations like ESG, Greenpeace, CEE, UNEP, Radio Active, Samarthanam, Vidya Foundation, Rainbow Homes, Selco, and others. I am a Corporate grooming consultant and a trainer in soft skills, communications, gender sensitivity, workplace equality, and other gender issues.
I recently co-authored a book called Words Matter, the language that girls need to speak, with Jacintha Jayachandran. The book is a compilation of forty words that help the reader to choose their vocabulary in a way that allows them to redefine how human beings are treated. With equality. And with respect.
I am an anchor and speaker and has anchored for over 1500 entities, brands and events for over 12 years and moderated and chaired sessions across the industry events, I moderate and anchor for National and International events and am a well-known speaker in Diversity, Marketing, and CSR circuits at national events. I am also a TedX speaker.
I love reading, cinema, writing, cooking, traveling, theatre and photography. I am a published poet and author, a trained dancer in over thirty-seven forms of dance, awarded theatre artist and choreographer. I run a fashion and lifestyle blog on Instagram called DramaRani and am a proponent of ethical and sustainable fashion.
I have won several pageant titles including Cloud Nine Queen 2013, Miss Cherish 2014, Super Mom 2014, and Corporate Diva 2017. I was recently crowned Mrs. India World 2017 and won the subtitles Mrs. India Universe Beauty with a Purpose, Mrs. India Universe – Confident, and at the Mrs. India Universe Pageant 2017.
2. What inspired you to participate in a beauty contest?
I wasn’t the girl growing up who dreamt about being a princess or a queen, never liked dolls, and didn’t imagine a tiara on my head. So it’s something that happened organically over time.
A dark-skinned tomboy whose journey reached here. I am so grateful and thankful for the journey so far. No matter what the outcomes are, the journey is what is truly worth it.
Spent 7 days in a Udaipur in a resort with no network with 40 women from around the world and from different walks of life. It was truly an amazing experience. I stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the stunning glamorous women who were so wonderfully dressed and well turned out.
I was the simplest at the risk of being too plain. But I managed to break every stereotype in the book that exists about beauty and managed to plant the seed of being self-aware and being content with who you are and embrace yourself for your imperfections.
The love I got from all of these women was overwhelming and they made me one of them, they helped me pick outfits and match the lipstick and shared their baubles, taught me to pose like a model and embraced me, and made me feel at home. Now I come back with having made friends for a lifetime.
I went super under-prepared clearly but I was happy to have stuck to my style. I wore Handlooms and nose pins and clothes that were entirely my style and was happy to have made my very own style statement. Again a reinforcement that it’s absolutely amazing to be yourself and to stand your ground.
I want to thank the organizers, the groomers, the dance trainers, yoga and nutrition consultants, the show directors, photographers, makeup artists, designers, the jury, and all the people involved for putting up a world-class show and for providing this platform and opportunity. Some of you have surely left a lasting impression. Thank you!
This crown is a reminder to every woman that it’s not about what you look like or how you dress or what body size you are, it’s a reminder that if you’re honest and true to the essence of yourself and you genuinely stay grounded and wear your personality on your sleeve, you will win hearts and that is of so much more value than any crown that you will ever win in a lifetime.
I have to say this, without the support of friends, family, peers, and networks, none of this would have been possible. thankful for all the love and support! Special thanks to the people who pushed me to go!
3. When and why did your interest divert towards activism?
I have been part of activism starting from my college days. I was a part of many interventions and environment, women and children were my primary interests. I volunteered with ESG, UNEP, CEE, Greenpeace, and many more. I continued on that journey even through my career.
4. How was your experience as an actor and model?
I like being in front of the camera and the idea of changing and shaping the context of beauty, so to me, it has been empowering.
5. You have built an empire of skills and talent, how do you manage to do multitasking?
I joke always saying I don't sleep enough, but it is a part of my life now, I enjoy it and the thrill of doing multiple things.
6. What inspired you to be a co-author of the book 'words matter' and what is it about?
Jacintha Jayachandran, my co-author got me involved and there was no looking back. Words matter. Some more than others. Have you ever felt that some words color your world without giving you a choice? In colors that create a context that doesn't give you the freedom to exist or express on your terms.
That ends now. This book is a compilation of forty words that help the reader to choose their vocabulary in a way that allows them to redefine how human beings are treated. With equality. And with respect.
Our sisters, wives, and mothers have suffered the consequences of a language that has been fed into our minds since we were born. Those in relationships with them have suffered repercussions of the narratives these words have created. Let us make sure the same doesn't happen to our daughters. Essential reading for boys, girls, and every human being who believes in human dignity.
7. How do you keep yourself inspired and motivated?
People around me inspire me and my work motivates me. I enjoy my work entirely and that in itself keeps me going.
8. What message would you give to our readers?
Be kind and have the strength to tide over what life throws at you.
9. Which is your favorite book and why?
Gone with the wind. I love how real and raw the book is and the narrative of the civil war through the story.
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