Meet Vodafone Sugar Festival Queen Contestant: Payal Prasad

Name: Payal Prasad , 23, Lautoka

Occupation: Final Year student at the University of the South Pacific.

How did the idea of being a contestant come about?

As everybody says, girls are their daddy’s princesses but my dreams were shattered when my father passed away when I was in Primary School. However it did not stop me in trying to achieve my dreams and being a part of the festival will give me the opportunity to show my daddy that I’m not a princess but I have become a queen for him.

What will you be advocating this year?

I will be advocating on a clean environment, healthy nation and a brighter future using the 3 R’s concept. (Reduce, reuse and recycle) .

What are the major challenges faced in the community?

People are not being responsible for their actions. They are dependent on relevant authorities in pressuring them in doing the right thing. I personally believe that people should work on their own in order to attain a healthy lifestyle and also ensuring that the environment is clean at all times.

What is you major source of inspiration in life?

It will be my mother because after the death of my father, she has been a role model for me. She is a retired teacher now and I’m following her footsteps. My dream job is of being a school teacher and she has been an inspiration for me all this while. She taught me how to be an independent person---not to rely on anyone and face challenges as it comes through in life.

What was your biggest obstacle in life and how did you master it?

The loss of my father because everyone needs the love of their parents in life. But I have a very encouraging mother who supported me all throughout the journey.

What is your philosophy toward a happy life?

Eat well, stay well, listen to good music and the most important thing is that you should be enjoying your life despite the daily challenges encountered. You only get this life once so live it fully.

How do you handle failures and what keeps you going face to face with disasters?

Just keep on trying and you will eventually succeed.

If you had the opportunity to change one thing about society, what would it be?

I would change the mindset of people in taking responsibility for each action they do because our environment is suffering.

What is your message to everyone?

Believe in yourself, be confident and no matter how hard life gets, you will eventually succeed in the end.