Ramdas Shenoyy listens to Nishtha on stirfrymba.com. She never tried to fit in and also never tried to stand out from the crowd. She just listens to her heart.
How would you describe your journey from a Punjabi Girl to Miss Deaf Asia 2018? What does it mean to you?
First of all, I never thought of myself as a Punjabi girl. I always thought of myself as a human first. Secondly, the journey of the girl who was once not able to hear and speak to becoming Miss Deaf Asia 2018 has been an exhilarating rollercoaster! Never in my wildest dreams could I have thought that I would participate in a beauty pageant. I am so happy to have learned and experienced so many things by participating in a beauty pageant.
How was the competition at a global level?
It was really intense. There were around 20 women who were very beautiful. When it was my first day of Miss Deaf World’s journey, I saw everyone communicating with the help of sign language. As you know that I am not fluent in sign language, I was not able to communicate much with them. But I learned some ASL in 1-2 days and I was able to communicate better with them. But I was still tensed that I might lose the competition because the beginning had not been great. But on the night of the finale, I thought and decided to give my best and leave the rest to God. So, I felt relaxed and that’s why I was confident and happy during the performance.
Indian education system focuses too much on academics and less on sports and other activities. What is your view?
It is true that the Indian education system focuses on academics and less on sports and other activities. I have experienced it myself. I was in class 5th-6th when I started playing tennis. However, it was just for fun. It was a few years later when someone suggested joining the fitness center if I wanted to continue professionally. By that time, I had come to the 10th class. Summer vacation started and so did fitness. Once school started, it was getting difficult for me to manage as I did fitness in the early morning. We asked the school for permission to skip the morning assembly so that I could do fitness and then directly attend the classes. But the school denied it. Even when I had to play matches (other than school matches), the school was not supportive at all. They used to make fun of me when the match was over and I was back to school- ho Gaya match? Chalo, padh le ab. So as school was not making it easy for me, I had to change school next year. So yeah, the Indian education system is flawed in this area.
How was it to be awarded and recognition from Hon. Vice President of India?
It was amazing and I was still not able to believe it at that time that I was getting the award but at the same time, I felt that I deserved it. Receiving the award from Hon’ble Vice President of India was indeed a pleasure and what made it more special was that the minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Thawarchand Gehlot immediately recognized me on the stage and acknowledged me and wished me well. It was a special moment.
You have made your parents and India proud by achieving so much at such a young age, what are your future plans?
I am really happy and proud by making my parents and India proud by winning the first title for India at Miss and Mister Deaf World. Many people think that I have achieved a lot, but I still have miles to go. My soul is still hungry for some things which I have yet to explore. I still have to explore what I love doing and what I really want to do next.
In today’s world people give up very easily in life and feel dejected…what will be your message to them?
I know what it feels like to be dejected and wanting to give up very easily. I know it very well. We all are humans. We don’t always feel positive, and it is completely okay. Sometimes we feel like “yes, we rock it”, “today is a good day”. Sometimes we feel like “ugh, I want to leave everything behind and run away to the hills”. I assure you it is okay feeling like this. Don’t be hard on yourself. If you feel like giving up, take a break and think about it. It is the easiest choice to give up but if you really want to achieve something, then don’t give up, tolerate some for now and you will be awarded.
You are a great face to women power — what is your motivation and who is your idol?
My motivation is that I don’t compare myself to others or I don’t even compare my life to other people’s lives. I never tried to fit in and also never tried to stand out from the crowd. I just listen to my heart.
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