Shweta Teckchandani: Walking the Ramp to a Glamorous Life!

She’s a doctor. No wait. She’s a Miss India Global. Okay, she’s both. And you thought only Superman could play two roles! Shweta Teckchandani is the ideal example of the medical world and the glamour world coming together. Not only is she a Bay Area resident and a doctor, but has managed to bag the Miss India Global title making her a one of a kind in many ways.
But amidst her busy schedule which revolves around rotations, photo shoots and attending events where she represents her title, Shweta is also a normal gal. She enjoys her evenings out watching Hindi films, yes, she is an avid Bollywood fan and is looking to accomplish what she has set out to do: be amongst recognized pageant winners. Shweta speaks exclusively to B’Khush about all things glamorous, the medical field and her future endeavors!
 
 
 
How does a young girl go from a Mumbaikar to Miss India Global winner?
I was raised in Mumbai and like every other girl my age, I was in awe of Sushmita Sen. I moved here when I was 18 and continued pursuing my education at UC Berkeley, but it was not until 2010 that I happened to enter the Miss India Global pageant. I have always loved performing on stage and facing the camera; entering the pageant gave me an opportunity to showcase my talent and be in the spotlight; and the rest is history.
 
Did you always want to get into the glamour world?
I never planned on getting into the glamour world. As chance would have it, I got the chance to be a part of the Miss India Global pageant where I won the titles of Miss India Global 2010 and Sahara One’s Miss People’s Choice 2010, and since then doors opened to a different world for me. Besides being a model, you are also a medical student.

How do you manage such varied jobs?
I compromise on sleep! Just kidding; I love what I do. I feel like you can always make time for the things you love. I just try and manage my time efficiently and see that I give 100% to both the fields.

What would you say is your motivation and inspiration in life?                                                                 
I’m definitely inspired by my mother; she taught me to love life to the maximum and to be truthful and upfront. I look up to her and derive a lot of my strength from her. As far as motivation is concerned, it is definitely based on the drive to carve a niche for myself in my field and do something substantial and meaningful with my life.

How did Miss India Global 2010 happen?
A friend of mine recommended that I try out; I did and here I am! How has life changed since the pageant especially since you went on to win not one but two titles? It’s definitely very glamorous. As a woman and an individual, it has given me a different kind of confidence with the ability to make my voice heard. It has also been a lot of fun; having had a seg-way into the fashion world has definitely been an amazing experience for me!

What are you being offered now post winning and what would you ideally like to do?
I have been representing my title at various events around the Bay area, the latest being the India Independence day parade. I was recently also invited to be a part of the Charity Fashion show for Be That Kid productions with various other women celebrities from the Bay area. I have also been doing photo-shoots, the most recent one being for americancupcake.com. Recently, I was selected as a runner-up for the Runway Face of Australia 2010 by Kismet magazine. I have been featured in Canada’s Desi Fashion magazine’s Summer Issue 2010 and missindiamagazine.com. I have been offered to be an anchor with Sahara One TV channel to cover various events in and around the Bay area. I have also been offered to be a pageant director for an upcoming International pageant.
 

How did you family react when you told them you wanted to be a part of the glamour world?
I’m actually the first person in my family to take a step into the glamour world. I’ve been lucky to have a family that’s been not just supportive, but encouraging. I have always had the freedom to do anything I wanted and my parents’ faith in me has always given me the confidence to achieve my goals. Now, I read you are an avid Bollywood fan. Is acting a viable option for you in the future? Let’s see what the future holds!

You are officially a Bay Area resident now. Do you miss India and will you be moving back or are you pretty much settled here?
 
I have and always will be a Mumbai girl at heart; I definitely miss India. Where my career takes me is definitely a question that even I want to know the answer to! 

What are some of your achievements outside the fashion and glamour world?
I’m working towards becoming a doctor and currently I’m in my third year of medical school. I volunteer at a free clinic where I help treat underprivileged people. Apart from that, I am also involved in the Sindhi Community of Northern California. I have helped organize cultural shows annually and have been choreographing dance shows. As a trained Bharatnatyam dancer, I have also been performing for various cultural organizations. Recently, I got associated with Sahara One TV USA, a South Asian television channel, to cover events in and around the Bay area which will be telecast around the world. I have also been offered to be a pageant director for an upcoming International pageant.

 
 What are some future goals you’d like to achieve?
I have already taken the first few steps towards my future goals, which are becoming a successful doctor and entering the mainstream glamour world.

What message do you have for the readers of B’Khush?
As clichéd as this may sound, live life to the fullest and take pleasure in small things; don’t get caught up in everyday stress so much that you don’t have time for things and people you love. Enjoy life!