Ability is the real beauty, says Mrs India runner-up
AGRA: ‘Mrs India Worldwide-2014’ runnerup Dr Shivangi Maletia reached out to the ‘Sheroes’ of Agra on Sunday. The beauty pageant contestant motivated the acid attack survivors and praised them for their grit and ability to lead life on their own term.
“Ability is the real beauty, which will always remains with you when you become older,” she told the five acid attacks survivors Ritu, Rupa, Geeta, Neetu and Chanchal, who are at the helm of ‘Sheroes Hangouts’ café on Sunday.
“This is the first time in India that survivors of such evil attacks have come forward to pursue their dreams and break all the stereotypes,” Dr Shivangi Maletia said.
Speaking at a panel discussion on ‘Redefining Beauty’, the ‘Mrs India Worldwide-2014’ runner-up said beauty did not pertain to just physical appearances.
“If someone is very beautiful, but speaks to people very rudely and hurts them, then would you call that person beautiful? One should be beautiful from within. Kindness and passion is what beauty is all about,” she was quoted as saying.
Sharing her experiences at the international beauty contest, she said that Indian women were the most beautiful. Indian women were getting recognition world over since the past two decades, but the country was home to women who were naturally endowed, she said.
The beauty queen also stressed on the need for clean surroundings along with clean hearts on the occasion.
Plastic surgeon Dr Rahul Sahay, gay right activist Atul, founder of NGO ‘Stop Acid Attacks’ Alok and acid attack survivor Rupa also participated in the panel discussion.