Meet Cherisha Chanda, the 17-year-old future Fashion Icon and Miss Eco Teen India who represented and won at the prestigious 4th edition of Miss Eco Teen Pageant in Egypt – an international pageant focusing on environmental awareness and promoting care for mother earth.
Hailing from Gurgaon, Cherisha has grown up in a business family which has constantly inspired her to be active with her environmental activities and charitable works to uplift the needy. She has been a dynamic speaker at World Environment Events. She was also the speaker at the World Environment Conference held by Act Now along with the United Nations Environment Programme. Cherisha also advocates for sustainable fashion and living in her endeavors.
In conversation with PEAKLIFE, here is how the young diva is carving her own name with each blazing opportunity:
Please share with us your journey as Miss Eco Teen India. How did this opportunity come about?
My journey so far has been incredible. It has taught me a lot. I’ve made beautiful memories, and I am glad that I have the chance to represent my country at Miss Eco Teen International, which was held in Egypt, and have been awarded the winner. I am the first Indian to bag this title, and it is a very proud moment for me and my country, India. It all started last year when I applied for Miss Teen Diva 2021 and won the title Miss Teen Diva runner. It has been an incredible journey since then, and I loved every moment.
You have participated in many other reigning pageants. How did you venture into this?
I got into pageantry and applied for Miss Teen Diva in India when my friends and I sat together. We got to know about the pageant and filled out the form. It had been my dream since I was a kid; I won my first crown in pre-nursery, and by god’s grace, I won India’s crown in Miss Teen Diva last year, and now I have won Miss Eco Teen International.
You are an avid advocate for sustainability and charity. Why are these notions so important for you, and how do you intend to support them?
Yes, I am an avid advocate for sustainability and charity; these notions are essential because I want to work for the environment and take every step to make a better world. I want to promote sustainable fashion further. I have seen many valuable ideas worldwide during the pageant; I want to use these ideas now to save our environment for a better generation ahead. We should reduce reuse and recycle waste products to make new ones. We can use waste tires, wrappers, paper plates, pins, etc., to make utensils, clothes, jewelry, etc.
What are some challenges that you have to go through?
Some challenges I have to go through are balancing my studies and other social work. Along with my regular schoolwork, I help the environment and those around me. With my teachers and parents being very supportive, I balance both. I love working for the environment and the ones around me, which keeps me motivated to take part in environmentally friendly activities such as tree plantation, and I also love doing charity and seeing a smile on those bright faces.
On the flip side, what are some of your favorite things about being on this journey?
My favorite things about being on this journey are that during the pageant, I was not called out by my name, but my country’s name called me. India, this was a proud moment. I loved dancing with all the contestants worldwide and learning different dance forms. Lastly, I loved the beaches, islands, and beautiful dresses. It was all fantastic, and I will never forget these beautiful memories.
Please share with us a bit of your preparation strategies. How do you embrace the entire process?
I prepared for the pageant by myself and with the help of my mom. I saw several videos of beauty queens on Instagram, and I used to hear their questions and answers. I trained for my walk from my earlier pageant, Miss Teen Diva.
Lastly, what are your future plans and aspirations as a representative of India?
My plans and aspirations as a representative of India are to promote sustainable fashion further. I have seen many valuable ideas worldwide during the pageant; I want to use these ideas now to save our environment for a better generation ahead. Next is my journey to fly high and keep making my country proud so that every citizen of my country raises the Indian flag high with pride in every field.
