Richa Sharma is the winner of Mrs. India International 2011-12 and felt honored to represent India at the Mrs. International Pageant in Chicago. She has also judged a lot of shows in United States and since she stays in Kolkata have been honored at many places. She is also a Teacher and mother . She has extended her ray of hope to the less privileged children. She has been attached to a few NGOs in Kolkata. In 2013, she was appointed the Global Ambassador of the Mrs. India pageant.
RK : Thanks a lot for accepting our invitation for an interview. it’s a great pleasure to have you as our Guest. Let’s start from the first question… Let's jump into the past. What was your dream since you were a kid? …what would you like to do?
Richa Sharma : After watching so many films, the perfect idea of meeting ‘the one’ after your first dip in the dating pool (or him waking you up from a deep sleep with his magical kiss, etc) and then going on to live happily ever made sense.
RK : You are the woman who fueled her dreams to make it a reality! An inspiration to all the common girls who dream of being a queen! Mrs. India International 2011 title winner. Can you recall the moment? What was the first thought that came to your mind when they announced your name as the winner?
Richa Sharma : It was terrific, a six-chair turn! I was hoping for just one when I got six. It was crazy. I still can't believe that I got a six-chair turn, let alone win. When the top three were announced I was so happy.When my name was called I was just star struck. I am so honoured to take the title.
RK : What has been one thing that has motivated you to come so far in your journey as a beauty queen?
Richa Sharma : I’ve never been a ‘beauty pageant’ kind of girl; when I learned that Mrs India International was so much more than a beauty pageant, I did a little bit of digging. I looked at their values, past winners, and I found such a synergy between the Mrs India International vision and my own. Mrs India International gives average women a platform to do amazing things. What’s interesting is that the ‘average’ Indian women are Super Women in their own right. She is a wife, a mother, a home-maker, a career woman, a friend, a mentor, and many times the glue that holds her family together.
My wish is that I can motivate and inspire Indians – no matter their background, education or scars – to be unapologetic in recognising ourselves as massive forces in society. To come forward and take on those leadership roles. To teach our daughters to be fearless, and teach our sons to respect our women.
RK : Being the Global Brand Ambassador of Mrs. India International, do you think there’s anything about the Indian beauty pageant scene and the modeling scene that needs to change?
Richa Sharma : Men need to learn to respect woman more, and understand that women of all shapes and sizes are beautiful.
RK : As a public figure, how do you think being hailed as a role model impacts on others and what pressure does it put on you?
Richa Sharma : What I’ve mentioned above is pretty much the most candid I’ve ever been. I’ve always had this deep yearning to motivate others. People always say to me “Wow you’re doing so well… you’re so successful…” Sure it appears that way I’m sure. But people often don’t realise the other ‘stuff’ you’ve got going on. I’d love to finally have a mic, a platform, a stage… to tell others just how human I really am; about my own personal experiences, and show them that we truly are capable of INCREDIBLE things – irrespective of our pasts and challenges.
RK : Sometimes the modeling industry gets a bad rap with the jealousy and egos encountered between other models and agencies. Was this true for you? Have you managed to tough it out and make good friends?
Richa Sharma : Yes, that is very true. But I have stayed above the fray and I have been lucky to have friends that are down to earth and that is all you need.
RK : What do you enjoy most – acting or modeling?
Richa Sharma : Both, because each has its own skill sets and challenges.
RK : Any designer brands you like wearing?
Richa Sharma : Manish Malohtra, Sabyasschi, Anamika Khanna, Puja Prasad, Abhishek Dutta, Indroneel Mukherjee and many more. I also like to give an opportunity to young and upcoming designers.
RK : What is your mantra to not give up in life and not to give in to any peer/external pressure?
Richa Sharma : As women we are so critical of each other – but I’ve learned that our greatest critics are ourselves. The good news is that being critical is a learned behaviour; we can build new neural pathways and retrain our brain to process information differently.
RK : Which of your forthcoming projects are you eagerly looking forward to?
Richa Sharma : All my projects and assignments are very dear to me. I have completed shooting for Rifle, Purbo Paschim Dakhin, and a Hindi Web Series. I have a number of projects are lined up but to confidentiality agreements, we will update as soon as possible. But, the projects dear to my heart is the work I do with a number of NGOs.
RK : If you had to look at the ever-changing world and change something; wave a magic wand and fulfill any wish, what would it be?
Richa Sharma : What would really make me so deeply happy and gratified, is embracing the opportunity to inspire and motivate others.
RK : Any message to all the aspiring girls who dream of being the beauty queen?
Richa Sharma : I want to inspire girls to have dreams, reach their goals, and appreciate their value. We are very powerful as women. We carry the world; we're the mothers. My goal is to solidify and bring strength to the female community in India and around the world. If we're not strong, we won't be able to strengthen the generations to come.
RK : We (Retro Kolkata) are trying to build one single stage for all the artists, because we believe that artists are the most beautiful creation of God and geographical boundary can never break their unity and harmony. Please say something about our initiative and any special message for your followers.
Richa Sharma : Congratulations you are on your way to doing some great things indeed.
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