MORE THAN A PRETTY FACED STRUTTER

I can bet that during her childhood, almost every girl is fascinated watching her mother getting dressed and putting some make-up on. And I can assert equally that each of such girl in her early age when alone, has taken a beautiful ‘dupptta’ out of her mother’s wardrobe couple of times, wrapped it around her head, slipped into her mother’s heels, put on some lipstick and spent hours looking at her reflection in the mirror, wondering when she would grow up and do all that cool stuff. There must be some who would try to imitate the actress they watch on TV and dreamt of being one someday. I clearly remember when I first heard about beauty pageants in my early teen or pre-teen years, I wondered how beautiful those divas must be. ‘Ignorant me’ used to think that they scrutinize the entire population of women at certain age and pick the most good looking girl. Well, those days are gone and now I know the procedure. I believe I do. We all know that it is not all about beauty but brain and heart as well. It’s not just about walking the ramp in those high heels and lavish dresses or having a pretty face but being your best in every possible way; it is about performing consistently well throughout the competition. There's no room for self-righteousness, even if you have the most beautiful appearance.





Well, one such girl, whom her mother used to dress up as Miss India, whenever there used to be a Fancy Dress Competition in her school was, Sana Dua. But her childhood dream has become a reality. Despite graduating in Law and practicing it for a while thereafter, she left that profession in a brave attempt to make her dreams, a reality. Starting in 2015, she was finalist in Miss Diva, which was her first audition. After that she was one of the finalists for Campus Princess 2016, season 1 as well as first runner up of Senorita Miss International India, 2016 Beauty Pageant. Clearly it was not way of roses and Sana had to work hard to step up the ladder and her hard work paid off when she got crowned Femina Style Diva in 2016 and as a result of which got featured on Femina Magazine. She became State’s beauty queen by getting crowned as Femina Miss India Jammu & Kashmir 2017 in North Zone crowning event, on April 16. Now, she will represent state in Femina Miss India 2017 (54th edition of the pageant) which is to be held in June. We The Women caught up with this Diva before she left for the event.







· It is known among masses that you came into the arena of modeling and beauty pageants while pursuing Law but still finished your studies. There must be a model within you even before that; were you in a box or did you always know? When did the idea to be a model become concrete?



Yes it is known that I finished my studies and even practiced Law for a while but it would not be appropriate to say that I was in the box despite the fact that I was not certain about this field either. I just went with the flow of life and took up opportunities as well as created few as I grew up. I believe that I had it in me to be a model, all I needed was to push myself for my goals and once I did that things also started taking their course, eventually.

The idea of being a model became concrete when I participated in an audition for beauty pageant and realized that it is as not as easy as I thought it must be. So I went for formal training. It is evident that the more you face the camera the more comfortable you get in front of it, so I took up modeling, walked on dozens of ramps as well as indulged in shoots so that I could improve myself.





· What are the instances that led you into Beauty pageants? Describe your journey; all the hardships and sacrifices as well as turning points to be what you are today.



There are not any such instances that led me into this field because it was a choice that I made. But I believe that the timings played a major role. Hardships are part of everyone’s life. It does not feel like an accomplishment if you do not struggle to achieve it. I would like to add here that my parents have invested a lot in my career and supported me throughout in my endeavors and ventures. Sacrifice are inevitable while pursuing your dreams; I left my job as a practicing lawyer but I did that in very initial stage because I realized it at very early stage that I cannot sail in both boats and I have to let one go. Other than that there are things like wearing heels and going on diet and for a person who has never done that before, these could be very hard.



· What exactly has changed after you switched to modeling? How would you describe the shift from black and white attire of lawyer to being all colorful? Where should we expect you few years from now; as a lawyer, model, actor or business woman?



Life in B&W attire was good but like I said, I left it very early stage. Yet, B&W has its own charm. Life in the colorful glam world feels complete. It is fascinating. But yea' B&W is my plan B and that's why my B&W attire is still lying in my wardrobe. Still nothing is certain and I will continue moving as I always have been, giving my best to opportunities that come my way, creating them if I desire and believe that I can. Let things happen; I will go with the flow, live to the fullest and not depress on what ‘could have’, ‘would have’ and ‘should have’. Who knows what future holds for me?



· Being from Army background is something Army brats always brag. I believe it has its own setbacks as well as perks. Looking back at your life how did it shape up your personality?

Yes as army brats we all brag because of our fathers, who serve the nation. And true that there are its own perks and setbacks but people only focus on the bright side. The set back of the life growing up was to be in transit mode, never settling leaving each place my father used to be posted at after every few year. Constantly shifting, leave your comfort zone and friends, adjusting in new environment, getting to know net set of people just to leave them again was not easy while growing-up. Other than that my father used to be away from us so much and my mother use to constantly take care of us; I often missed that feeling of everyone being together in a family.

Still, I am proud to be brought up in such environment despite all that because it has instilled in me lots of qualities like discipline, feeling of not giving up, adjusting among all sorts of people , culture and environment, respecting diversity and so on, that makes me live and get through, more efficiently.



· Some might think that may be you were born like this, with all the beauty and it does not take many efforts because of your upbringing. Would you shed some light on your routine as well as efforts it takes?



No! it is not true. Though my upbringing has been an integral part of individuality but I am not here merely because of my upbringing and the comfort and luxuries I was blessed with. The field demands the best out of you in every aspect, how you talk and walk, if you are photogenic, your personal grooming and so on and no one is born or brought up learning all those qualities.

For example I am a foodie but for this I had to renounce from all the food I love, turn from junk food. There have been days that I had to go for going to cycling in morning Zumba at noon, gym in the evening and run at nights.

Other than that I am tallest in my family almost 5'9, so wearing heels was never required but in this field people are happier to see me even in 6 inches stiletto and trust me that takes time to learn and you never get hang of walking elegantly in those and acting like they are the most comfortable footwear possible. We all know how comfortable they are.



· What is beauty for you? What basic qualities as per you, are required to be crowned in a Beauty Pageant?

Beauty for me is a kind heart and somebody who is beautiful inside. When you are beautiful inside it shows on the exterior in your personality and you appearance. It is how gracefully you carry yourself, how comfortable you make others around you, how patient and strong you remain in difficult situations and shower love around even when circumstances are not favorable.

Because you are beauty queen and because there are so many people looking up to you, I think the basic qualities should be or would be there in whoever participates, that you are kind and grounded; that you are lively but your aura exhibit calmness. And I believe that applies to everyone.



· What according to you have been your major achievements so far, both personal and public? What is most cherished compliment you have ever received and by whom. (Reason why it touched your heart?

Major personal achievement for me was to understand that people think differently so I have to believe in myself and have faith in my beliefs. I believe that to most extent I have achieved it and public achievement would be to be crowned Ms J&K. My other titles are equally important but I would anyway keep it at top for now.



To be honest without sounding boastful, Compliment showers on daily basis. There are many which touched my heart but the most recent one that touched my heart was a message from a guy which says, "I am really proud of you. Belonging from same state, due to the mindset that prevails in our society, my parents were skeptical about modeling as profession and did not support me. So I picked your example and told them about your story. Since then they have started opening up about it and accepting it. I am thankful to you for that" I was really touched by that







· What is your ideology behind your professional and personal life?



My ideology is that it is important to be true to yourself and handle every matter maturely and not let emotions take over you and drive you insane.





· Most of the teenagers whether boys or girls, have identity issues and many of them are conscious about their looks. I believe, subtly it stays the same throughout life. What would you like to tell them?

Everyone is bothered about their looks, including me. I would suggest that rather than how you appear shift it to how you present yourself, be presentable and feel like a star. Don't be part of a race wherein you follow someone you feel looks better than you and copy them. If you admire someone, inculcate the qualities but don't be part of trend and lose yourself. Person who is comfortable with himself is far more attractive that the one who has good looks.





· Where do you see women of Jammu & Kashmir few years from now? Any message for women

out there?



Women of Jammu and Kashmir are coming out say that the industry of glam is often demeaned. I believe everything has a dark side but it is not as bad as it is presented. Women are following their heart as it was for the first time that audition took place in Jammu and many women came forward to participate. Women are doing great in whatever endeavor they indulge in. One needs to remember that, we women are different and we were not created to compete men. We should be aware that men cannot handle everything that we are capable of. There should not be feeling of competition. We should only strive to be our best.



My message would be, Believe in yourself and it is not about choosing this field explore the field that you believe you are made for or is made for you because you wouldn't want to regret it later as you only live once.


Updated On 5/31/2017 8:16:31 PM