Beauty for a cause

Beauty for a cause

Miss Scuba India 2019 is being held in Pune for the first time. This one of a kind beauty pageant expects the winner to work as an Ocean Ambassador and protect the environment by spreading awareness though different platforms. The auditions will be held on September 19 (Playboy, Koregaon Park) and the main event will be held on September 28 (Phoenix MarketCity, Viman Nagar). 

Ocean Ambassador and former Miss Scuba International, Varsha Rajkhowa, who is the brand ambassador and face of Miss Scuba India 2019, talks about the role and responsibilities of Miss Scuba India 2019. 

Is Miss Scuba India 2019 taking place in Pune for the first time?
Yes. Though, it has been taking place in India since 2016, it’s the very first time that our company, Oceanic Divas, is organising it in Pune with participants coming from different parts of the country.

What qualities are you looking for in the participants?
Participants should be passionate about the environment and dedicate their time to conserve it. We are looking for true beauty with brains and an Ocean Ambassador who can represent India internationally.

Is it necessary for participants to know scuba diving?
No, it’s not compulsory to be a scuba diver to participate at the national level. But since it is a must for the international level, we will train the winner to become a professional scuba diver.

‘Beauty’ and ‘hard/ smart work’ don’t go together. Do you think there’s still a stigma about beauty pageants in our society?
I think, we, as a society, have grown with time and slowly adopted the fact that beauty lies within. People nowadays have a different mindset. Being a beauty queen brings a huge responsibility towards society and I believe the harder you work, the smarter you grow and become the precious symbol of beauty with a purpose.

Since you won the Miss Scuba International 2016, what initiatives have you taken to protect the oceans?
After winning the title, I did take a tour around the world and studied environmental changes. I also did awareness campaigns to protect oceans, save water, rainwater harvesting and reduce carbon footprint with The Climate Reality Project and other organisations.

Being an Ocean Ambassador, what are the roles you play on field?
My main aim has always been to encourage people to do their bit towards the environment and have a healthier planet to live in. I do deep diving and make short videos to show the harm we are doing and where it will lead us. I believe that when we see the damage, we realise our mistake.

How will this pageant help save the environment?
This beauty pageant not only talks about saving the oceans and environment but how one must also work hard to protect the surroundings. Miss Scuba India is a unique pageant as the winner not only becomes a beauty queen but also the Ocean Ambassador for India and will represent the country internationally. She will also help spread awareness via different media.

Any comment on Amazon rainforest wildfire, popularly known as the ‘Lungs of the Earth’ which is being destroyed.
With time, our nature is expressing its anger and I truly believe what you give, comes back to you. We are so consumed in our personal lives that we are least bothered about the environment. Amazon Rainforest Wildfire is the visuals of what our future will be if we don’t protect what we have and try to sustain it as soon as possible as time is running out.

What are some specific issues related to oceans you are fighting against?
Plastic pollution and waste dumping are the major concerns. This kind of pollution affects the ocean currents (warm and cold currents) and leads to climate change and creates unexpected weather conditions.

Are you planning to expand your vision of conservation from oceans to other such environmental causes?
Yes, definitely. I have done my Masters in Environmental Science and my aim is not only to protect and conserve our oceans but environment as a whole. When we, as environmentalists, step out to work, we don’t focus at one thing because everything is interconnected.

Which other countries/ organisations are part of this initiative of ocean conservation?
Ocean conservation is done all over the world, but some of the major countries include Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Poland, Australia, Monaco, Slovenia, Ecuador and France. There are many organisations associated with the cause at the global level but specifically in India, The Climate Reality Project and Afroz Shah Foundation are the most active organisations.

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