Meet Ashima Sethi, the homemaker- turned- fashion Diva who’s lit up the Delhi stage
When the milestone- 30 rolls around and life demands a remodel, what does a sweet but skilled homemaker do? This was the question before Ashima Sethi, a beautiful lady who decided to take a step out of the mundane comfort zone and participate in her first beauty pageant- Mrs. India 2018. As fortune favors the brave, Sethi found herself among the top 3 contestants, crowned as 2nd runners up at Mrs. India. She also won an additional title- Mrs. Fashionista, for her impeccable sense of style.
Hers, however, was not just a journey of mere stylish attires and ramp walk. The 21st- century demands that its women icons be strong, empowering and resilient in their personalities. The aim behind the cutthroat national pageant was a widespread awareness of breast cancer among Indian women. Ashima Sethi, with the assistance of radiologist Dr. Gurneet Singh Cheema and Ruchi Bawa, educated herself on the effects of the disease and conducted campaigns and seminars to provide crucial knowledge for the aid of all women.
Asked about her inspiration, Ashima has an instant answer- “If ever there is something like a life mentor, mine is undoubtedly Mrs. Rupa Pahwa, the founder of ISOE and a true Guru. Whatever I have become, is because of the confidence and grooming tips that she has ingrained in me. I thank her from the bottom of my heart.”
Hailing from a nuclear family, Sethi received complete encouragement and patronage from her people. Realizing that the national- level pageant, organized by Abhishek and Barkha Nandia, was of an elegant and classy stature, the business-oriented family played the role of supportive star-makers behind the scenes.
In fact, Ashima finds it particularly difficult to pick the best part of her entire dazzling experience. With a nostalgic chuckle in her voice, she says that the event had set the standards for a beauty pageant for her, as wonderful the entire experience was. The five days spent in pre-event grooming by various celebrity trainers, from makeup to walk and presentation, were grueling but very educational.
Ashima, as she answered in the tough question round of the competition, says that first impressions are not everlasting, and can be transformed through a powerful projection of your ideas and beliefs. She signs off with an advice for young women of Ludhiana- “Realize that you are the only one keeping you from achieving your dreams. It’s never too late, or too strange, to just pick a passion and follow where it takes you.”
