Rajasthan-born Aarti Gautam, who lives in Qatar now, bagged first runner-up in the recently held Mrs. Asia Pacific Beauty Pageant in Singapore.
She possesses a captivating personality, one that is filled with optimism and sophistication. The 55-year-old mother of two young sons is an educator by profession and is passionate about fashion, fitness, gardening and interior design.
Gautam has carried out various professional roles in her career in India, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, including being the Cultural Secretary of the Indian Women’s Association in Qatar for four years. Along with other international appearances, she has also participated in several fashion shows in Qatar.
In a candid conversation with Gulf Times, Gautam talks about her journey, her preparation for the beauty contests, and lots more.
Excerpts:
Q: Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself?
A: I was born in Kota, Rajasthan, and have been living in the Gulf countries for the past 32 years. I have two sons and both of them have been brought up in Qatar as well. By profession, I have been a teacher for about 33 years. Currently, I’m pursuing my passion in interior design, gardening and fashion. I am a highly organised person by nature, constantly striving for perfection while eager to take on new challenges.
Q: How did you feel about being named 1st runner up at the Mrs. Asia Pacific Beauty Pageant 2022?
A: It was like a dream come true. I feel blessed. It was a wonderful feeling being named the 1st runner up at the Mrs. Asia Pacific. At the same time, it was certainly a challenge to compete with extremely talented young ladies from other Asian countries. On top of that, I was honored to represent my country, India, among all the participants.
Q: Where did that first thought about entering the pageant come from?
A: My passion for fashion shows and beauty contests dates back to my childhood. While I was a teacher, I was actively involved in organising socio-cultural events. As the Cultural Secretary of the Indian Women’s Association in Qatar, I organised the Mrs. IWA Beauty Pageant Award, among several other cultural events. My friends and relatives have always admired my fashion sense and confidence, and have motivated me to take part in the beauty pageant shows.
Fortunately, I was able to participate in the Mrs. India – I am Powerful Beauty Contest held in India in 2021, where I won the Mrs. India - IMP Tourism Award. As a result of winning that title, I was invited to take part in the Mrs. Asia Pacific Beauty Pageant recently held in Singapore.
Q: Could you walk us through your prep routine for a contest - diet, fitness, personality training, etc.?
A: Although I do not follow a very strict diet, I always follow a fitness routine that includes yoga and daily exercises. The most important factor for me is to maintain a positive attitude and always learn to improve my skills, such as power dressing, speaking, stage walking and building self-confidence. A lot of my preparation goes into working on my body language to reflect my positivity.
Q: Who do you look up to for inspiration, especially in the beauty pageant?
A: I don't follow any specific individual, but learn from every successful woman who has ever taken part in a beauty pageant, who happens to be very intelligent, beautiful and strong.
Q: What incident in your life made you realise about your passion in pageantry? Who assured you that beauty pageants are totally your cup of tea?
A: I have been very passionate about fashion, styling and dressing. All of my friends have positively reinforced my passion and have encouraged me to participate in beauty pageants. They made me realize that I could be a success in such events and set an example for others around me. I just acted on it and proved everyone right.
Q: What does fashion mean to you?
A: Having a distinctive dressing sense displays your personality, character, mood, style, and how you like to express yourself. To me, fashion is anything that makes me feel comfortable, trendy, and myself.
Q: Who and what has been your greatest support in life?
A: Without a doubt, my family and friends. But my greatest supporter is my husband who has been with me in every aspect of my life.
Q: How do you find balance between family, career, and your passion?
A: To answer that question, I would say time management is the easiest solution, but I would not call it simple. It takes a lot of determination and willingness to keep up even when I’m tired. I am lucky to have supportive people around me as family and friends. It makes it all worth it.
Q: In your opinion, what’s the best way to handle criticism?
A: We should try to absorb criticism in a positive manner. It is an opportunity to improve, to correct flaws, and to become a better person.
Q: What is the biggest lesson that life taught you?
A: Be empathetic and stay positive.
Q: They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What is the secret of your beauty?
A: Staying fit and always wearing a smile
Q: Lastly, what is your message to women hoping to win a beauty pageant?
A: Stay focused, give consistent efforts, and just be who you are. Self-confidence is key.
Why should we limit our ambition based on our age? Age has no bar. Many women in their fifties tend to think that their lives are confined to their homes. Aspirations have no age limit and gender does not have to determine a person’s role. We should trust our intuition and pursue what makes our life beautiful and fascinating.
Favourite fashion designer: Manish Malhotra
Heels or Sneakers? Heels anytime
Describe your sense of style in 3 words: Comfortable, trendy and cool
Favourite place to travel: I have been to many countries around the world. I liked Austria and Seychelles the most.
Favourite accessory that you cannot leave the house without: Shoes and my two sapphire rings.
Where can we follow you?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aarti.gautam.355/
Instagram: @aarti.gautam.355
