Nandini Gupta, a 19-year-old girl from Rajasthan, is Miss India 2023 and will now represent India at the upcoming Miss World pageant, a title that was previously won by the likes of Priyanka Chopra, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, etc. After emerging victorious at the 59th edition of the Miss India beauty pageant, Nandini believes that rejections play a crucial role in defining who one is as an individual.
She recognizes that challenges will inevitably arise but is prepared to confront them head-on by embracing failures and setbacks as learning opportunities. In this interview with Outlook, she talks about struggles, challenges, and Bollywood.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q. Your first thought when you were announced the winner?
OH, I still think of that moment and I get chills, my heart skipped a beat. All my hard work and perseverance paid off. That was the most precious moment of my life and I’ll relive every bit of it every day.
Q. You spoke about how important are challenges in your life. Would you like to talk about the hardships that you had to face to stand where you are today?
My biggest challenge was to overcome my communication barrier as having English as my 3rd language was the most challenging part of it. Accepting all the failures and working hard for success is how I made my barriers my skills and I will continue to polish them.
Q. Do you think the journey from here is going to be equally challenging?
Well yes, but more challenging and more responsibility all at once. But I hope I face all of them beautifully.
Q. you come from a humble background with your father being a farmer. How and when did the modeling happen and when did you think about participating in Miss India?
It was initially my mother’s dream and she guided me through all of it when I was 10. She was the only one who introduced me to the beauty pageants.
Q. Was your family happy with your decision considering your strong academic background?
Yes, and it was encouraged by my parents itself. So yes they are proud and they are also supportive of all the decisions that I make.
Q. You spoke about Priyanka Chopra as one of your inspirations so who according to you is the most successful Miss
World apart from her ?
Aishwarya Rai, Sini Shetty, Suman Rao- I try to learn from all of them, they are role models for me. I hope by going through their journey and their experience I also create an impact during my time at Miss World
Q. What kind of role model do you want to be for future Miss India and why?
Someone to who people can relate and feel the journey. They learn, get inspired, and most importantly are loved by them.
Q. Is Bollywood your dream too just like a few previous miss India Winners ?
Well if I get opportunities, then why not. I would like to explore all the world has in store for me.
