Femina Miss India organization had announced the names of the thirty-one stunning ladies who will compete at the 2020 edition of the national pageant and win the chance to represent India at Miss World 2020. The 57th edition, for the first time in the pageant history, held its entire selection process digitally. Miss World Asia 2019 Suman Rao, Miss India Grand International 2019 Shivani Jadhav and Miss India United Continents 2019 Shreya Shanker will crown their successors.
Manika Sheokand is representing Haryana at Femina Miss India 2020 competition, has opened about her battle against gender-based inequality she faced while growing up and how she has been tackled every situation like a queen she was born to be. She wants to use the platform of Femina Miss India 2020 to create awareness and educate people about the same and normalize the topic. Manika is 26-years-old and stands 173 cm tall and has graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering and Master’s in Business Administration and started working as a professional model.
Manika was born and brought up in an environment where being strong and confident was given priority and that’s how she started out as a professional model. She is determined to follow her dreams and work hard towards making them come true. The diva has mentioned, “When I was born, except for the twinkle in my parents' eyes, it wasn’t celebrated with trumpets and celebrations from the community rather regret of another girl child.”
The diva’s will to turn the circumstances where she wanted to prove that she is an asset to the society and not a liability has helped to her to grow out of the stigma of a girl only doing house hold work. As she started working and earning, Manika realized that financial independence made her a stronger and resolute to change the narrative that women are less capable or competent.
“At my workplace, I worked for the cause of Climate Change, essentially related to Sustainable Development Goals. Women play a crucial role in preserving the climate, and that is why one of the SDG especially focuses on gender equality and women empowerment,” she added. She aspires to be a part of the solution of Climate Change. Manika felt that she needs a bigger platform to make an extraordinary impact in the society that’s how she participated in Femina Miss India 2020.
Manika feels, “Miss India provides the perfect opportunity which will equip me with both resources and fame. I believe Miss India is beyond beauty pageantry. It reflects a blend of glamour, discipline, talent, and ambition.” After being selected as one of the finalists, Manika shared on her social media that she feels ecstatic and overwhelmed on being a part of the such prestigious journey and assures that she will perform her best at the competition.
For Manika, "Beauty is about being comfortable in one’s skin own irrespective of color and texture. Beauty is about carrying one’s confidence, energy, enigma, and emotions. Beauty is about defying stereotypes and labels." She is one of the strongest contenders for the title who is not only determined to make a shift in the society’s thinking but also work for the environment too. The diva’s audition video makes a powerful impact on the audience because she is very confident in the way she speaks and puts out her thoughts and opinions.
The diva’s confidence and determination towards her goals and dreams is praised by all and this could make her one of the fan favorites at the competition. She is very grateful for the opportunities she has received till now which has helped her to grow and has assured that she will be keep fighting until she makes her country proud at international stage and becomes an inspiration to the people who deal with gender based inequality like her but wants to work to eradicate that from the society.