A dream come true

Gurnaaz Kaur

Just one year in the US and Thapar University, Patiala, pass-out Milanpreet Kaur has won laurels for both the countries. She was recently crowned Miss India Washington, USA 2018. 

This was a dream she wanted to fulfil in India but was not able to because of her height but her never-give-up attitude led her to living it in another country. This Punjabi girl feels the title has opened a window of opportunities and she is going to make the most of it. 

“I am beyond grateful to everyone who has helped me reach here. I did try for Miss India but my height was half an inch short for it. That’s about past, there is so much to look forward to in the future. I am already on my way to represent Washington in Miss India USA to be held in the New York in February next year. Other than that, I am working on ways to give back to society. That’s another thing I am quite passionate about and have participated in many outreach programmes with Microsoft. I am in touch with some NGOs and charities here. There are cultural events where I will be proud to represent India.”

Milan has studied BTech in computer science in Patiala and got campus placement as a Software Engineer in Microsoft. After working for the company in Hyderabad for five years, she opted to relocate to Microsoft, Seattle. A multi-tasker by nature, she has interest in art, cooking and is trained in bhagra, salsa and hip-hop, and these qualities have come in handy winning the title. 

“I’ve sold Mexican food at Comicon across India as a doodle artist and I’ve also sold my art to raise funds for different non-profit ventures. Leading the dance team during college was more of a fun activity back then but when during the pageant, I performed a yoga dance over a self-written poem and displayed my artwork in the backdrop, I realised those experiences have really helped me grow.”

Ask her what has been the best part about  three months of being in the pageant and pat comes a reply, “There is so much I’ve learnt that I can’t point one particular thing. Ravishing Women, the organising NGO of the show, trained us in all possible aspects of life. Such platforms are not about beauty, they are more to do with understanding yourself, your values, sorting your mind.”

So, does the future look sorted? “I am a born artist and I want to stay connected to the audience, so whether it is modelling or acting, I will explore all such possibilities.”

Home is where health is 

Milan shares some beauty tips that have worked for her.

1. Grind asafoetida; mix some lemon drops and a pinch of salt in it. Have it after a heavy dinner to avoid belly fat.
2. Start your morning with a glass of warm water with half a lemon.
3. For hair, boil coconut oil and olive oil in equal proportions with chopped onion until brown. Strain the oil and apply. This remedy fights dandruff, promotes shine and health.
4. For face, I try to switch between ubtan and facewash for washing my face. Take some besan, honey, lemon, a pinch of turmeric and water and make a paste of ubtan. Massage it on face and wash.