The third guest on my #WomenOnAMission series was none other than my sweetest predecessor and Miss World 2019 2nd runner-up and Miss World Asia 2019 titleholder, Suman Rao. It was so insightful, catching up with her. While we have many things in common apart from sharing the same Miss India crown, our passion and dedication towards our Beauty With A Purpose (BWAP) projects stand above all.

There is truly nothing impossible for a queen on a mission, and Suman is proof! In a fun conversation, we reminisced about our individual journey at Miss India, our experiences, challenges, and our BWAP project. Suman’s BWAP’ Project Pragati’ aims to empower the women residing in rural areas in her home state, Rajasthan, by generating employment opportunities, fostering financial independence, and improving the female literacy ratio. All in collaboration with Princess Diya Kumari Foundation (PDKF), an NGO run by Princess Diya Kumari, working towards a similar vision for women. The project, which now has four units, employs over 3000 women.

Speaking about the same, Suman opened up how women in her village expected to stay behind doors taking care of household chores. But through her initiative, thousands of women are now breadwinners of their families and have financial independence. “My mother is my biggest inspiration behind starting this project. Because I have grown up looking at her and how she dedicated her entire life toward looking after our family. So when I came across the Beauty With A Purpose project — what Miss World is known for — is when I thought I have to give it a shot,” she added.

Suman’s BWAP project made it to the TOP 5 at Miss World 2019, and I am glad to have had a true role model for inspiration. As I concluded, Suman, I would again like to thank you for inspiring thousands of young women across our country by taking up the initiative for equal rights for women in your community. You’re truly a Beauty With A Purpose at heart and a true Woman on a Mission!