A trained Bharatanatayam dancer, “an accidental tourist”, a volunteer for philanthropic projects and a self-declared street food fan — Mumbai girl Sini Shetty is definitely an all-rounder.
The pageant skipped a year because of the Covid pandemic but the wait has been worth it for 22-year-old Miss India World 2022 as India plays host to the Miss World event after 28 years.
My Kolkata was at the buzzing Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan as 120 women from all around the world geared up for the Head to Head Challenge, and caught up with Sini for a chat.
At Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, the contestants presented their ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ projects in the Head to Head challenge
My Kolkata: Tell us a little bit about yourself — you grew up in Mumbai and are a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. Was Miss India always part of the plan?
Sini Shetty: Miss India was never part of the plan but, of course, I used to watch Aishwarya Rai (Bachchan) and Priyanka Chopra on the ramp and wished I could be a Miss India. I have been an accidental tourist all my life. I studied accountancy and that’s what I was doing, then I ventured into marketing. Dance has always been a hobby close to my heart and it was something that kept me sane and centred. Then Miss India happened. Earlier my vision and purpose for life was centred around myself, but with this I realised that my calibre could reach across the world. Things started to change when I began teaching dance. I realised that people were getting inspired by me, and the joy you get from being able to inspire others and make them smile is something else. Then the opportunity for Miss India came about and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to go for.
As a Mumbaikar, what are the three things you would recommend someone to try in the city?
I have already given the girls a list of things to try. (laughs) I am a big foodie, so for me it will definitely be all food-related. Top of the list is vada pav, along with sev puri and misal.
Have you been to Kolkata? What’s your favourite thing about the city?
I have been to Kolkata, yes. My favourite is phuchka! As I said, I’m a big foodie!
India is hosting the Miss World event after 28 years. Being from the host country, how does it feel? Are there any duties that you have as the host country participant?
I think there’s an added responsibility — not pressure, just a responsibility. People have come, many for the first time, to a country that is unknown to them. They are very excited, but at the same time also sort of clueless about exploring India, so I feel like it becomes a responsibility to guide them with whatever they need.
Also I feel like the spirit of hospitality— the motto of ‘guest is god’ — comes from within for us. My parents are from the hospitality industry so I have grown up seeing that, and I am genuinely loving the duties of being the host delegate and I hope everyone has a great time in India!
What’s your definition of beauty?
I think the definition of beauty can be very vague. Now that I have come to Miss World, I know there are 120 girls from different continents, different countries. They are all different races, have different skin colours, and I look at these girls and realise even more that beauty is so subjective. You could walk into a room and couldn’t pick one out. There is no standard to measure beauty, I think. For me it will always be about what’s inside rather than outside — it’s about your personality. When you walk into a room you shouldn’t be judged on how tall, or pretty or fair you are.
Over the years, there have been many conversations surrounding Miss World, and one of them is that in today’s day and age, how relevant is something like this, especially when it comes to women empowerment. What’s you take?
Of course! I think this is the only platform where I see women supporting women, and women speaking about issues that are relevant to them and their nation. A lot of women here get the opportunity to be role models for people and inspire girls across the world. I think Miss World is so unique because it has a beautiful initiative called ‘Beauty with a Purpose’, which helps us highlight socially relevant issues.
For example, I am working on Aashayein, which partners with NGOs and organisations to help students and young professionals with upskilling — things like public speaking and personality development— that will help people beyond their academic life. Others have issues like women empowerment, poverty, scarcity of resources that they are highlighting and working on. Which platform will give the opportunity to speak about 120 such relevant issues.
We could always do a better job, we can always get better at what we’re doing, but I think we have also come a long way. If I talk about relevancy, then yes, we do stand as relevant in today’s world.
As someone who is representing such a diverse country — especially one with very strong opinions — and someone dealing with almost overnight spotlight, what are the pressures you face and how do you deal with it?
The Miss World crown comes with a responsibility. I wouldn’t call it added pressure, but you know it comes with responsibility. You know your job and what you’re signing up for. There’s a lot to do in that one year of reign, and I only wish that I could not only inspire people, but fulfil my responsibility of reaching every nook and corner of the world and be there for people.
There’s a small story I’d like to share here. I went to an old-age home, and we were distributing blankets, and spending time with the residents along with helping with some funds. An old gentleman came up to me and said, “there are a lot of people who give money and give things, but hardly anyone comes and spends time with us and talks to us”. I get that opportunity with this. Things like that stay with you.
Sini Shetty’s favourite Miss World is Priyanka Chopra, from whom she says she has learnt the lesson to not be scared to voice your opinion
Any lessons or takeaways that you have from previous Miss World winners?
I think we have a beautiful legacy with Indian women who have won Miss Worlds — they have left something to aspire and inspire, and we all look up to them. If I had to pick, my favourite would be Priyanka Chopra. The one thing I learned from her was that do not be scared to voice your opinions. She’s so outspoken and principle- oriented, and I abide by that.
Your message to someone who is looking at you and your journey
Ambition cannot be associated negatively, so if you’re ambitious in life just march towards your goal and don’t look down on yourself. I know in today’s world, you judge yourself intensively but remember that life is planned for you. Everyone has a destiny. If you have your head straight and in the game, then the sky’s the limit. Just wait for the world to look at you.
The Miss World finale, to be held at Jio Convention Centre, Mumbai, on March 9 will be broadcast live on missworld.com and Sony Liv
