Chandigarh

17 February 2021

DIVYA AZAD

To walk on the ramp like a diva, to flaunt herself in front of the camera and to wear a crown like a queen is perhaps the dream of every single girl out there. Manika Sheokand too had this dream and now that she has bagged the title of VLCC Femina Miss Grand India 2020, expressing the feeling through words isn’t easy. 

The 57th edition of the pageant was held virtually this year and after an aggressive hunt from 28 states of the country, 31 finalists made it to the final rounds. Manika, being one of them and now the winner, shares her journey from being a simple girl with dreams to becoming Miss India and now representing the country on various international platforms. Back to her home town after her big victory, Manika addressed a media conference at Hyatt Regency Chandigarh on Wednesday to give a lowdown on her journey so far and future plans.  

“Dedicated actions have beautiful reactions”

Manika, says that participating in a pageant was never on the list. 

“I was working in the corporate sector for a year and a half and participating in any pageant wasn’t my plan. Because participating in a beauty pageant and then winning one wasn’t even close to any of my dreams. So, it was my elder sister who convinced me that I could and I should participate in the pageant.”

Manika says that after winning the title, her life has changed upside down and now she has discovered various different aspects of her personality. 

“This entire journey has taught me to be myself, to have more faith in my abilities and to see myself as an achiever. And that’s what I want to tell to all those girls out there. Never ever give up on your dreams because actions have reactions and dedicated actions have beautiful reactions,” says Manika. 

“Beauty Beyond Perfect Eyes, Lips And Nose”

Although Manika has bagged the title of a beauty pageant, she believes that the actual definition of beauty is beyond the perfect shape of eyes, lips and nose. 

“I know people still see beauty pageants where beautiful girls with beautiful facial features go and participate, but it’s not like that. You see me…I don’t have those perfect eyes or perfect nose. But, I am beautiful. My thoughts are beautiful and my opinions are strong. I believe in beauty with brains and that’s what this pageant has taught me,” says Manika. 

Having worked in the renowned MNC Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd. as a senior executive, she is currently pursuing her modelling profession and loves reading. She is a movie enthusiast and going for a run feels like therapy to her. Her favourite books are the Fountainhead by the author Ayn Randand the Kite Runner by the author Khaled Hosseini. She is a big fan of movies like the Dead Poets Society and Tamasha and wishes to visit Italy someday.

Manika is passionate about addressing the issues of climate change and also she was quite inspired by Meenakshi Chaudhary from Haryana who won the title of Femina Miss India first runner up in 2018. From Meenakshi, she learnt to live by this quote, “Everything is possible if only you believe.”

Manika will represent India at Miss Grand International soon. Miss Grand International (MGI) is one of the world’s leading international beauty pageant and they want to encourage education and awareness through their “Stop the War and Violence” campaign

You can watch the Grand Finale telecast of VLCC Femina Miss India 2020 on Sunday, 28th February at 12 noon & 5 pm on Colors HD and JioTV. Also available on Voot.

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