I'm all geared up and excited to make my country proud and represent India at Miss World 2021 in Puerto Rico. Before I set foot into the world of beauty pageants, I had determined to use this platform to bring about a change in any possible way I could. I want to inspire the upcoming generation in more ways than one. Being a part of an NGO, I grew with a strong desire to be the voice and make an impact by using my title and platform to reach a wider audience.

Beauty pageants have always transformed the lives of numerous talents and created role models and achievers who represent their cultural purpose and give meaning to the cause on an international stage. However, a healthy mix of inner and outer beauty is what makes a woman truly beautiful.

It's a definite balance that we need to strike during all stages of the competition. When I walked into Miss India, it was a whole new world. Outer beauty does matter, because if you look good on the outside, you feel confident, but inner beauty matters more because of the end of the day, you could be wearing the most glamorous outfit, but what matters is the intention and beauty of your thoughts, your willingness to be kind and compassionate, and to be able to revel in joy and laughter, to show up as a person at the end of the day — that's what truly matters. So, while external beauty does have a certain level of importance placed on it, what makes the mark at the end of the day is how you think and how you show up to the world.

Beauty reminds me of this quote I read a while ago, 'Beauty is that in the presence of which you feel more reliance.' For me, beauty is just about thinking, acting, speaking, and connecting — from a place of love!