It was her first public event in Madurai after winning the Mrs India Universe Globe title three months ago. With the glittering crown resting on her head, the 27-year-old Shamyuktha Prem was a picture of poise and confidence as she took on questions from a room full of women who had perhaps lost themselves in being moms and wives.
Who was your trainer, what is your diet, can we participate in beauty pageants? The questions rode high at the All Ladies League (Madurai Chapter) meeting that chose to present stories of grit and determination through successful women.
"It is more about setting a good example and giving others the confidence of having dreams and achieving them," says Shamyuktha during a post-event chat. "As women, we should not let others' perception hold us back," says the Coimbatore-bred girl who completed her degree in fashion styling from London School of Fashion. "I was on a roll, studying and working for brands like Ronnie Coleman and Prada and binging on fast food," she says.
Beneath that happy-go-lucky life, she nurtured a dream of seeing herself on the ramp. From childhood she use to be in awe of models, she says. Marriage brought her to Madurai four years ago and while she continued to remain in touch with her profession, her battle with her bulge also began. Last January she weighed 91 kg. "I began to feel conscious looking at models during my photo assignments," she says. "I saw an ad for Mrs Galaxy India competition scheduled in August 2018 and told myself here is my chance."
Losing weight to fit the mould is not an overnight quick fix," she told the audience. It is all about learning a process and a lifestyle with determination."
It took her eight months of regimented diet and physical activities to shed 30 kilos. She went to Delhi for the Mrs.Galaxy India pageant and was in the top six finalists. "It was enough to boost me. You need to be happy and content with yourself and remain active. That's what counts the most," she says.
Two months later she was in Pune taking on 52 other contestants from across the country. "I went with an open mind to learn new things, make new friends and gain experience and confidence," says Shamyuktha. Apart from external beauty, the pageant was much about inner sparkle and energy and the lone contestant from Tamil Nadu went on to become the first ever winner from the State. Her flair for all things fashion and the dedication with which she worked on her transformation to the model she is today, says Shamyuktha, bagged her the title. And now she is preparing for the Mrs International Universe pageant to be held this year-end in the US.
"Being married should not stop women from pursuing their dreams," says Shamyuktha, who gives full credit to her husband for his support and encouragement. "I channelised my energy and influences and took the leap to do what I always dreamt of and so should you," she told the audience. She also runs a charity that works for the education of girl children.
The other speaker Latha Srinivasan, a media consultant and cancer survivor, shared her story of not letting the big C conquer her by believing in herself and having faith in her doctor, family and friends. "Do not limit yourself because nothing is impossible. Dream and make use of every opportunity that comes your way," she told the group of women.
