Strength of a woman

Manpriya Singh

While she’ll definitely give you all the politically correct answers and proper speeches, she’ll also let you get an insight into the more real side of human emotions! Chandigarh girl Neetu Prabhakar was crowned Mrs India International 2017 last week and as she likes to put it, “It’s been a life-altering experience…more than that, I’m so happy I got the crown. The moment I saw it, I was fascinated by the tiara, so much so I couldn’t take my eyes off it.” 

That’s when the all-grown-up married woman, with a five-year-old boy and 10 years of work experience in an MNC, turned into a little girl. “I also liked it when they announced on stage that the winner is from a small town, Chandigarh.” 

Having done her schooling from DAV, Panchkula, she is a thorough Chandigarh girl. “Oh yes, born, brought up, grown up, everything has been in Chandigarh.” 

Standing five feet and five inches tall, it is no surprise that suggestions to take a shot at glamour world came left, right and centre. “But I never took them seriously. It’s only when I came to know of this competition; it did not take me even a second to fill up my form.”

Focused approach 

It was all about constant endeavours and positive frame of mind all through the competition. “Being a working professional, I am no stranger to multi-tasking. In fact, I would credit my win to a focused approach and positive outlook. That is what helped me beat 16 other contestants in Mumbai.”   She adds, “I also believe in constant grooming. It has to be a part of your daily regime. I would practice ramp walk techniques in my hotel room and things like those.” What else? “My competition was on the 20th and till 17th I was working till 8 o clock in my office.” Kudos! 

Hereon, for her all roads lead to The Mrs International 2017 pageant that takes place in August in Virginia, US. We are sure once again she will be fascinated by the tiara in the crown, but it is going to take a lot more this time. 

manpriya@tribunemail.com

A happy mom 

Amidst the supporting spouse and happy family, there was somebody else trying to make sense of it all. Her five-year-old son, who, “asked me after the introduction round during the regional competition as to why was I doing show and tell on stage.” She laughs, “When I came back to Chandigarh airport, he also couldn’t understand why so many people were giving me garlands and bouquets.”