“My biggest inspiration has been Sushmita Sen. She seeded a dream in my eyes as a little girl in 1994 of wearing a crown, walking like a queen and bringing pride to her people”, reveals this Bengali beauty, Dalia Datta, who, won hearts and accolades as she was crowned the 2nd Runner Up at the Mrs India – Empress of the Nation pageant, amongst 42 beautiful women. The event was held recently at Hyatt Pune.
“My story to winning at this prestigious pageant is quite interesting. With time, while I got busy with my personal commitments and struggles, the dream faded out. Until one day, I came across DIVA Pageants. I was surprised that they welcome married women to experience the glamour world, which otherwise is stereotypically designed for single and skinny ladies. I felt that this one is skin deep as they wanted ‘woman of substance” to come forward. I decided to push my boundaries and take the plunge. Rest is history and I am still glowing in the twinkling aura of the crown.
DIVA Pageants is a real game-changer for many women and I am indebted to my mentors – Anjana and Karl Mascarenhas, owners of DIVA Pageants for this lifetime opportunity. They were the perfect mentors who handpicked us, polished us and transformed us into shining stars. Because of them and the entire DIVA team, we dared to live our dream and came out dazzling”, shares Dalia.
A Masters of Science in Electronics & Telecommunication, Dalia owes her success to her mother, her husband Lijo Varghese, sister Tuli Datta, sister-in-law Liji Varghese and her friends, for their enormous support, love and encouragement throughout her journey, and of course her motivator, Ronil, her 3-1/2 year old son. “This crown is for them”, she beams.
She currently works as a Key Account Manager with e-Zest Solutions Ltd., a multi-national IT company in Pune. “I am thankful that at this place I get to work with the United Nations’ various organizations playing a tiny role in making a global impact towards humanity. I am a strong believer of Karma and to me Humanity is the biggest Dharma. My association with UN organizations gives me immense job satisfaction”, she smiles.
A passionate dancer, Dalia learnt Kathak for a few years, and is also into Salsa and Bachata, That’s not all – she loves to sing, cook and travelling is uppermost on her list of favourites. “I am a wanderlust”, she laughs.
“The journey was not easy. It was very difficult with a little kid demanding my full attention at home, a full-time IT Job and my other family commitments. I barely slept for 3 hours, trying to fulfil all commitments and being groomed. I broke down a few times thinking I am neither doing justice to my dream nor to my people, but I continued to tread my way. Now that I have tasted the flavour of success, I must confess, it’s addictive. My aim is to inspire more women to come out from their shell and live their dream. I feel when a woman gives power to another woman that is true empowerment”, she sums up.
The eminent jury comprised of Ashmit Patel (Film Actor), Mugdha Godse (Actress & Model), Aditi Govitrikar (Actress, Model & Mrs World 2001), Karl Mascarenhas, Piya Pawani, Gaurangi Shrawat, Simran Godhwani, Kamal Sharma, Hyatt & Dr. Rachna Sharma.
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