Grace & Grit: A story of resilience ft. Priyanka Bajaj Sibal

[00:00:00] My father has always taught me,

[00:00:02] that Saraswati comes in the hands only once,

[00:00:04] no one can take it from his hand.

[00:00:06] And it's such an important and strong message that I had since childhood.

[00:00:10] True success is where you can make a difference in anybody's life.

[00:00:14] I feel that is such a big blessing that if God gives you,

[00:00:17] you should make the most of it.

[00:00:19] I was the only female who was there in the entire finance department

[00:00:23] and then other males were getting promotion.

[00:00:28] I was being told because he is a chartered accountant

[00:00:32] and you are still not.

[00:00:34] I left my job, I joined library,

[00:00:37] I was being judged at that time.

[00:00:39] There's a very funny incident also during that journey.

[00:00:43] So what I did, I bought two cardboards

[00:00:46] and I put it on my table like left and right.

[00:00:48] Now people started making fun of it like,

[00:00:50] what is she doing and this is so funny.

[00:00:53] But then in that same attempt by God's grace

[00:00:57] I cracked the A.

[00:00:59] So when my result was out,

[00:01:01] I came to the library to distribute sweets.

[00:01:04] There were around 7-8 tables in which I saw those cardboards.

[00:01:08] That was the time when I realised it is so important

[00:01:11] to focus on your own journey and don't follow the crowd.

[00:01:14] Welcome to Unstoppable Woman Priyanka.

[00:01:17] Thank you, Shailja.

[00:01:18] Thank you so much for inviting me

[00:01:20] and I love the name of your show already, Unstoppable Woman.

[00:01:23] Thank you so much.

[00:01:24] It's just complete honour

[00:01:26] and you can't imagine how happy I am to spend this time with you.

[00:01:30] Your journey is so intriguing from being a CA

[00:01:34] into brand promotion and now an actor.

[00:01:37] But there's a lot more behind the person sitting here

[00:01:42] which I can sense and feel

[00:01:43] and that's the reason I really wanted you to be part of the show.

[00:01:46] You know what happens is when you're in an entertainment industry

[00:01:50] a lot is seen on the camera

[00:01:52] and what people see is they build their perception.

[00:01:55] But the Priyanka which I see on Unstoppable

[00:01:59] is completely unstoppable.

[00:02:00] Where did your journey begin?

[00:02:04] So I always believe that whatever happens in your life

[00:02:08] it happens for your good.

[00:02:10] You know sometimes when things are not happening

[00:02:12] according to your will also

[00:02:14] if you have the belief in the spiritual system

[00:02:17] because my entire life is guided through a spiritual system

[00:02:21] that I believe in

[00:02:22] and things started happening when

[00:02:25] I got onto my journey of becoming a Chartered Accountant

[00:02:29] it was a very challenging thing for me.

[00:02:31] It has three levels and when the third level got stuck

[00:02:35] and it did not get stuck for like once

[00:02:38] but I failed seven times.

[00:02:40] So just for the purpose of letting people know

[00:02:44] I don't count failure as a failure

[00:02:47] because I feel that if you're trying

[00:02:49] you're still going, you're still being successful in your life

[00:02:53] when you're trying.

[00:02:54] So that's what happened and I think my whole journey started

[00:02:57] from this trying to crack

[00:03:00] the final level of Chartered Accountancy

[00:03:03] because that's the journey that taught me so much

[00:03:08] becoming resilient

[00:03:11] or having that never giving up attitude

[00:03:16] because that's very important in life

[00:03:18] there will be so many instances where

[00:03:20] you'll feel that you will give up

[00:03:22] or people will tell you that you're not good enough

[00:03:25] So my whole journey I will say

[00:03:27] that it started off from this Chartered Accountancy journey

[00:03:30] and then everything followed after that

[00:03:33] or made me the person I am today from inside.

[00:03:36] You know there's a Japanese saying which says

[00:03:38] you fall down seven and you get up eight

[00:03:41] the exact saying I don't remember

[00:03:43] but when I read your story it just reminded me of that

[00:03:46] and I think somewhere maybe a memory map

[00:03:49] or a structure was kind of seeded into your subconscious mind

[00:03:54] that if I did that journey failing seven

[00:03:57] and succeeding eight then I can do anything in life.

[00:04:00] Well I got to know about this saying just now

[00:04:04] I did not know it.

[00:04:05] I just kept going because I wanted to try my 100%

[00:04:11] and I think that was the God's way of teaching me

[00:04:16] to put your heart and soul into whatever you do

[00:04:20] So I always take that seven times failing

[00:04:22] as an opportunity for me to grow

[00:04:25] and for God's way of telling me to put your heart and soul into anything

[00:04:28] because that's what I could do in the seventh attempt

[00:04:32] Lovely. I mean it's very difficult

[00:04:34] like what we are saying obviously sounds great

[00:04:37] because the outcome was great

[00:04:39] but if somebody is struggling and going through anxiety and stress

[00:04:43] at the first attempt, second, third

[00:04:45] I think this is a great message out there

[00:04:47] right then you be at it.

[00:04:49] If you feel this is your purpose

[00:04:51] then nothing should keep you back

[00:04:52] And it was not all positive

[00:04:54] though seven attempts was not like I was feeling good

[00:04:57] all the time from inside

[00:04:59] going through that bunch of heavy books

[00:05:02] after every six months

[00:05:04] and where everybody around you is trying to tell you

[00:05:06] that you cannot do it or leave it

[00:05:08] it's not your life, you cannot become a CEO

[00:05:10] even the close ones

[00:05:11] leaving apart from family or a bunch of friends

[00:05:15] apart from that a lot of people were negative

[00:05:17] even a few of my close friends

[00:05:19] they kept telling me that

[00:05:21] why are you after this

[00:05:23] life will not stop

[00:05:25] but as women are unstoppable

[00:05:28] Yes absolutely

[00:05:30] So the determination obviously was one very strong reason

[00:05:33] why you were doing what you did

[00:05:36] and that determination also came into play

[00:05:38] when you lost 30 kilos

[00:05:40] Yes

[00:05:41] You want to talk about that

[00:05:43] Sure

[00:05:44] First of all I would want to say that

[00:05:46] losing 30 kgs was not my intention

[00:05:49] Okay

[00:05:50] I got onto this journey

[00:05:52] of this transformational journey

[00:05:54] because somewhere down the line

[00:05:56] when I got onto

[00:05:57] when I became 74 kgs

[00:05:59] Okay

[00:06:00] I thought that my

[00:06:01] I was very low on energy

[00:06:03] I started feeling a little bit depressed

[00:06:05] like and all this did not happen all of a sudden

[00:06:08] It happened in 8 months

[00:06:10] So I was 65 kgs when I got married

[00:06:12] and then I got onto 74 kgs

[00:06:14] because I kept eating at that time

[00:06:17] without thinking like the rubber cushions

[00:06:19] because what is being taught to us

[00:06:21] that you eat and you get energy

[00:06:23] but nobody tells you that you have to eat right

[00:06:26] and at the right time

[00:06:28] and consistently

[00:06:30] you can do whatever you want to do in life

[00:06:32] you can lose weight

[00:06:33] you can feel positive

[00:06:35] you can feel so light

[00:06:36] and that's what I started experiencing

[00:06:38] Like I just started my journey

[00:06:40] and I lost 11 kgs in the beginning

[00:06:43] and I started feeling like

[00:06:45] so energetic

[00:06:47] Did you follow any regime

[00:06:49] or any fitness diet

[00:06:51] any nutritionist guiding you through that

[00:06:53] No, there was no nutritionist

[00:06:55] All by yourself

[00:06:57] Yes, yes

[00:06:59] But I will say consistently

[00:07:01] Consistency is very important

[00:07:03] in any area of life or whatever you are trying to achieve

[00:07:06] So I got onto

[00:07:08] I did intermittent fasting

[00:07:09] I am still doing it

[00:07:11] but fasting is just a name

[00:07:13] Intermittent fasting is fantastic

[00:07:15] It's a term

[00:07:17] but what it is

[00:07:18] it's just like feeling like eating healthy food

[00:07:20] and at the right time

[00:07:22] and I don't have dinner

[00:07:24] because I don't feel the

[00:07:26] and so you eat before 6 pm

[00:07:28] Exactly, until the evening and in the night

[00:07:30] Of course in the beginning

[00:07:32] I felt it was little difficult

[00:07:34] but then when I got onto that journey

[00:07:36] in the morning

[00:07:37] I feel so light on stomach

[00:07:39] That's my message also to everyone

[00:07:41] Eat healthy at the right time

[00:07:43] Exercise

[00:07:45] Of course that is very important

[00:07:47] and exercise also of course

[00:07:49] it's not like because I want to look a certain way

[00:07:52] but of course that comes along

[00:07:54] But then you feel so positive

[00:07:56] when your trainer is trying to tell you

[00:07:58] to do 20 push ups

[00:08:00] and you do 40

[00:08:02] Oh my God, just imagine

[00:08:04] I haven't heard that, that's nice

[00:08:06] because the trainers can be cruel

[00:08:08] So what I try to do

[00:08:10] is whenever my trainer is telling me to do this much

[00:08:12] I try to do one thing more

[00:08:14] Maybe

[00:08:16] So lovely, I think determination

[00:08:18] and the second one we just learnt from you

[00:08:20] Yes

[00:08:21] Whatever you do be at it

[00:08:22] Yes

[00:08:23] So there are certain values which are obviously

[00:08:25] driving you into what you're doing

[00:08:27] and in your journey

[00:08:29] you have not been alone

[00:08:30] you have a partner in crime

[00:08:32] who's your husband

[00:08:33] Yes

[00:08:34] and he's been a major supporting factor

[00:08:36] right for your journey

[00:08:38] into entertainment

[00:08:40] You want to talk about that?

[00:08:41] Yeah sure

[00:08:42] In fact not only just in

[00:08:44] entertainment industry

[00:08:45] but also during pageantry

[00:08:46] Okay

[00:08:47] Because before marriage I had this dream

[00:08:49] of becoming Miss India

[00:08:51] along side

[00:08:52] not like the focused dream

[00:08:54] but like just

[00:08:55] sometimes you have those small dreams

[00:08:57] all of a sudden that

[00:08:58] I might, I would want to try

[00:09:00] maybe

[00:09:01] So we had this

[00:09:02] I had this candid conversation with my husband

[00:09:04] once before marriage

[00:09:05] and then I had this dream

[00:09:07] So he said

[00:09:08] because at that time

[00:09:09] I had cracked my CA

[00:09:10] I had completed my CA

[00:09:11] Okay

[00:09:12] And then he was like

[00:09:13] okay let's get married

[00:09:14] And you were practicing CA

[00:09:15] at that time

[00:09:16] Into job

[00:09:17] Into job

[00:09:18] Okay

[00:09:19] So and then he said

[00:09:20] let's get married

[00:09:21] and we together

[00:09:22] Okay

[00:09:23] try to achieve this dream of yours

[00:09:25] Okay

[00:09:26] At that time I honestly felt

[00:09:27] that he's just saying

[00:09:28] for the heck of it

[00:09:29] like you know

[00:09:30] to get married

[00:09:31] But then yes after marriage

[00:09:33] I think after

[00:09:34] 8-9 months

[00:09:35] like he only reminded me

[00:09:37] that you know

[00:09:38] we should start focusing

[00:09:39] on your dream as well

[00:09:40] many, I think very few

[00:09:42] men will do that in today's time

[00:09:43] but that's what I'm saying

[00:09:44] you know it's all about

[00:09:45] breaking stereotypes

[00:09:47] understanding

[00:09:48] Yes and your larger family

[00:09:49] support was there

[00:09:50] Yes

[00:09:51] Okay

[00:09:52] Yes both side families

[00:09:53] Both side families

[00:09:54] are my pillars

[00:09:55] my support system

[00:09:56] Both are very

[00:09:57] understanding that way

[00:09:58] So I'm just

[00:09:59] Just tell us about

[00:10:00] your preparation

[00:10:01] for the pageant

[00:10:02] I know there's a lot

[00:10:04] which you invested in

[00:10:05] like now we know

[00:10:06] that Triyanka is determined

[00:10:08] She's consistent

[00:10:09] let's see how her journey

[00:10:10] into pageant

[00:10:13] If you allow me

[00:10:14] to go into little bit of details

[00:10:15] Yes please

[00:10:16] So when I did Mrs. India

[00:10:18] 2021 for the first time

[00:10:20] that was all new for me

[00:10:21] Nobody's from pageantry background

[00:10:23] in my family

[00:10:24] So and then

[00:10:26] there were various rounds in that

[00:10:27] you know once I cracked

[00:10:28] my audition for

[00:10:29] I became one of the finalist

[00:10:32] The first round

[00:10:33] was introduction round

[00:10:34] that was just 30 seconds

[00:10:36] So like what I did was

[00:10:37] like and this was

[00:10:39] all following

[00:10:40] from my Charal accountancy journey

[00:10:42] like to give my heart

[00:10:43] and soul into

[00:10:44] every bit and piece

[00:10:45] what I'm doing

[00:10:46] And then just for the first round

[00:10:48] introduction round

[00:10:49] I think I practiced

[00:10:50] 500 times

[00:10:52] People will say like

[00:10:53] what is it

[00:10:54] just a 30 seconds line

[00:10:55] But it's like

[00:10:56] no I wanted to

[00:10:57] of course

[00:10:58] I wrote it from the heart

[00:10:59] but then there

[00:11:00] I did not want to leave

[00:11:01] like a single stone unturned

[00:11:03] that I am not prepared

[00:11:05] It's very important

[00:11:06] to be prepared

[00:11:08] like in whatever you're doing

[00:11:10] And then there was a round

[00:11:11] of national costume

[00:11:12] in which I

[00:11:13] I wore a prop of 12 kgs

[00:11:15] on my shoulder

[00:11:16] I saw that

[00:11:17] And I'm not a

[00:11:18] I do a lot of exercise

[00:11:20] but then I'm not a gym person

[00:11:21] like who will carry weights

[00:11:23] In fact I'm not allowed to carry weights

[00:11:24] I have slip disc level 1

[00:11:27] We'll talk about it

[00:11:28] So in my

[00:11:29] actually

[00:11:30] so when I do exercise

[00:11:31] I can only do

[00:11:32] 30-40% of what

[00:11:34] a normal person can do

[00:11:35] Okay

[00:11:36] Okay and in spite of that

[00:11:38] I think amazing

[00:11:39] So then

[00:11:40] So that's what I'm trying to say

[00:11:42] So every round

[00:11:43] like I practiced

[00:11:44] and I gave in

[00:11:45] Of course then

[00:11:46] Mrs. India 22 happened

[00:11:48] And then wherein

[00:11:49] I took a lot of

[00:11:50] coaches from various pageants

[00:11:53] how to speak

[00:11:54] And in that also

[00:11:55] from one pageant coach

[00:11:56] I learned

[00:11:58] I practiced

[00:11:59] question answer

[00:12:01] from one voice modulation

[00:12:03] voice also

[00:12:04] how it should touch

[00:12:05] other people's heart

[00:12:06] what you're saying

[00:12:07] It should always come

[00:12:08] from the heart

[00:12:09] It should not be like

[00:12:10] practiced and

[00:12:12] clinical

[00:12:13] not look like

[00:12:14] exactly

[00:12:15] it should not look artificial

[00:12:16] and be authentic

[00:12:17] I think that's what

[00:12:18] that was also a learning

[00:12:20] You don't need to practice

[00:12:21] and you know

[00:12:22] just

[00:12:23] what do you say

[00:12:24] meaning answers

[00:12:25] to learn

[00:12:26] whatever

[00:12:27] exactly

[00:12:28] like you know

[00:12:29] whatever comes from your heart

[00:12:30] And I think I was

[00:12:31] very fascinated

[00:12:32] because I write poetry myself

[00:12:33] I've heard

[00:12:34] you go into almost

[00:12:35] a flow state

[00:12:36] where you start

[00:12:37] reciting poem

[00:12:38] that you did mention

[00:12:39] it's all like

[00:12:40] just comes in a flow

[00:12:41] Yeah

[00:12:42] Not like big poems

[00:12:43] but yes

[00:12:44] when I'm speaking about something

[00:12:46] and I feel that

[00:12:47] one or two liners

[00:12:48] it comes automatically

[00:12:50] which

[00:12:51] I might feel that

[00:12:53] sometimes it just might help

[00:12:54] other people

[00:12:55] unintentionally

[00:12:57] So three beauty pageants

[00:12:59] two in India

[00:13:00] and one was in US

[00:13:01] So two beauty pageants

[00:13:02] Mrs. India

[00:13:03] But then

[00:13:04] after I became

[00:13:05] Mrs. India 22

[00:13:06] that led me

[00:13:07] to represent India internationally

[00:13:09] So it was the same pageant

[00:13:10] but internationally

[00:13:11] I could represent India

[00:13:12] How was that?

[00:13:13] It was a great experience

[00:13:15] like another level

[00:13:17] because meeting contestants

[00:13:18] from different countries

[00:13:20] was amazing

[00:13:21] like

[00:13:22] and

[00:13:24] you know sharing my experience

[00:13:25] listening to their journey

[00:13:27] also everybody

[00:13:29] had come from

[00:13:30] different backgrounds

[00:13:31] you know

[00:13:32] lot of them had

[00:13:33] many motivation stories

[00:13:34] So there was so much learning

[00:13:36] camaraderie going on

[00:13:37] It's a myth

[00:13:38] where women are together

[00:13:40] it's always

[00:13:42] So it's just people have that perception

[00:13:44] that

[00:13:45] when a lot of women are together

[00:13:47] they will always be fights

[00:13:48] but it's like

[00:13:49] what do you want

[00:13:50] Yes, it's the energy and the intention

[00:13:52] energy and the intention

[00:13:53] which you get back

[00:13:54] Yes, there was so much support

[00:13:56] between each other

[00:13:57] So you see also

[00:13:58] there's a perception

[00:13:59] like when you

[00:14:00] go for these beauty pages

[00:14:01] and then

[00:14:02] you go for these beauty pageants

[00:14:05] what after that

[00:14:06] like you obviously

[00:14:07] are carrying a responsibility

[00:14:09] you have been awarded something

[00:14:11] but there's also a sense of now

[00:14:13] I need to give back

[00:14:15] I need to do something

[00:14:16] for people out there right

[00:14:17] So I think you did join foundations

[00:14:19] NGOs

[00:14:21] for women empowerment

[00:14:22] Yes

[00:14:23] So actually I did that long time

[00:14:25] before that

[00:14:26] before that

[00:14:27] but I never had put it on social media

[00:14:30] because at that time

[00:14:31] I had a perception

[00:14:32] that I'm doing it from the heart

[00:14:34] I don't need to tell the world

[00:14:35] Tell the world, okay

[00:14:36] But then through pageantry

[00:14:37] where I had to tell about my social cause

[00:14:39] that's when I started putting it on social media

[00:14:42] Okay

[00:14:43] And to my surprise

[00:14:44] really like you know

[00:14:45] it was

[00:14:46] I mean it motivated others

[00:14:48] So I felt that why not

[00:14:50] putting it across on social media

[00:14:52] and positive things

[00:14:53] Right

[00:14:54] And if it's giving

[00:14:56] the right message

[00:14:57] and a motivational message

[00:14:58] to so many people

[00:14:59] why not do it

[00:15:00] So basically I am connected to two foundations

[00:15:03] Okay

[00:15:04] One is cause foundation

[00:15:05] Okay

[00:15:06] So with them

[00:15:08] we provide education

[00:15:09] to victims of abuse

[00:15:11] Okay

[00:15:12] So basically and that's how

[00:15:14] actually the movie also that I worked

[00:15:17] Yes

[00:15:18] were in that also

[00:15:20] it's been shown

[00:15:21] that they're victims of human trafficking

[00:15:23] Okay

[00:15:24] So the foundation

[00:15:25] what they do is

[00:15:26] and in fact

[00:15:27] we have opened a computer facility

[00:15:29] Okay

[00:15:30] along with the foundation

[00:15:31] So that

[00:15:32] you know

[00:15:33] it's very important for a woman

[00:15:34] to be independent

[00:15:35] to be independent

[00:15:36] to have education

[00:15:37] Yes

[00:15:38] I would want to say in Hindi

[00:15:39] that

[00:15:40] my father has always taught me

[00:15:42] that

[00:15:43] Saraswati

[00:15:44] Aikbari haath mein aati hai

[00:15:46] Koi usko haath se le nahi sakta

[00:15:47] And it's such an important

[00:15:48] and strong message that I had

[00:15:50] since childhood

[00:15:52] that education is so important

[00:15:54] you know

[00:15:55] money can come and go

[00:15:57] but education

[00:15:58] you know once you get a degree

[00:15:59] it is yours

[00:16:00] or any sort of education

[00:16:02] It's so true

[00:16:03] Yeah

[00:16:04] And it teaches you in so many forms

[00:16:06] Like knowledge

[00:16:07] wisdom

[00:16:08] stays

[00:16:09] and that

[00:16:10] I mean from a spiritual context

[00:16:11] that's exactly what they say

[00:16:12] we'll go with you

[00:16:13] Yes

[00:16:14] Baki to sab yangi rahe jaay ka

[00:16:15] Exactly

[00:16:16] So that's the true dhan

[00:16:17] ya true investment

[00:16:18] one can make in life

[00:16:19] The second organization

[00:16:20] again that I support

[00:16:22] it's called Gursadha Foundation

[00:16:24] And they also provide

[00:16:26] education

[00:16:27] to children

[00:16:29] who cannot afford it

[00:16:31] basically from the rural areas

[00:16:33] they have almost now

[00:16:34] seven branches

[00:16:36] all across

[00:16:37] and

[00:16:38] so we pay the fees of

[00:16:40] volunteers

[00:16:41] in a few branches

[00:16:43] but that's also

[00:16:44] it's beautiful

[00:16:45] to meet those children

[00:16:46] like you know

[00:16:47] when

[00:16:48] I would want to share

[00:16:49] one of the instances

[00:16:50] where I

[00:16:51] went

[00:16:52] to meet them

[00:16:54] and

[00:16:55] the way they were

[00:16:57] touching

[00:16:58] and it is a beautiful feeling

[00:17:00] when you do such things

[00:17:02] because I always feel

[00:17:04] that you get many opportunities

[00:17:09] where you can measure your success

[00:17:11] but then the true success

[00:17:13] is where you can

[00:17:14] make a difference in anybody's life

[00:17:16] I feel that is such a big blessing

[00:17:18] that if God gives you

[00:17:19] you should make the most of it

[00:17:21] because the full world is

[00:17:24] they have so much of burden

[00:17:27] so much of burden

[00:17:28] so I feel why not

[00:17:30] if a little bit of my kindness

[00:17:32] can lower their burden

[00:17:34] why not

[00:17:35] so that's how I'm associated

[00:17:37] with these two organizations

[00:17:39] and I feel blessed to be part of it

[00:17:41] and this is irrespective

[00:17:43] of which journey do you take

[00:17:44] or chart

[00:17:45] the plain new chart

[00:17:46] it's been there

[00:17:47] it's part of your life

[00:17:50] it's an integral part of your life

[00:17:51] and will stay

[00:17:52] yes

[00:17:53] and I think

[00:17:54] I can just imagine you

[00:17:55] walking into these NGOs

[00:17:56] and the kids going like

[00:17:58] crazy all around you

[00:17:59] I can get those visuals

[00:18:00] suddenly in my head

[00:18:02] right

[00:18:03] and what an inspiring story

[00:18:04] you are in yourself

[00:18:06] and the best part is

[00:18:07] they're so innocent

[00:18:08] they're so innocent souls

[00:18:09] like you know

[00:18:10] you get a lot of positivity from them

[00:18:13] yes

[00:18:15] so it takes me back to the time

[00:18:16] when I was in Singapore

[00:18:17] and I used to go to this old age home

[00:18:20] every weekend

[00:18:21] we used to go there

[00:18:22] 200

[00:18:24] old age

[00:18:25] senior citizen used to stay there

[00:18:28] and believe you me

[00:18:29] what you're saying is

[00:18:30] what I kind of resonate

[00:18:32] it resonates with me

[00:18:33] because

[00:18:34] just to be with them

[00:18:35] it's so healing for yourself

[00:18:37] forget what you're doing

[00:18:38] for them

[00:18:39] right

[00:18:40] in that moment of that

[00:18:41] it's not me

[00:18:42] it's not Shailja

[00:18:43] it's not

[00:18:44] it's not this

[00:18:46] avatar which I carry

[00:18:47] it's something bigger

[00:18:49] and it's something which is beyond me as well

[00:18:51] right

[00:18:52] and that is Seva

[00:18:53] I mean we call it Seva or service

[00:18:56] which is also integral part of

[00:18:58] you know

[00:18:59] any person's life

[00:19:01] which is some sort of

[00:19:03] it's gone missing in

[00:19:04] when we stay in cities

[00:19:06] high rise buildings

[00:19:08] my son is 7 years old

[00:19:10] and I'm looking at opportunities

[00:19:13] to expose him to Seva

[00:19:15] but still figuring out how to do it

[00:19:17] okay

[00:19:18] yeah I think Seva is

[00:19:20] one of the most blessed things that

[00:19:22] we can get

[00:19:23] and as I said

[00:19:25] if we get that opportunity

[00:19:27] for example right now

[00:19:29] on our birthdays

[00:19:31] or anniversaries

[00:19:32] or even our families

[00:19:34] birthdays or stuff is there

[00:19:35] so we try to

[00:19:37] in whatever way

[00:19:38] we try to connect

[00:19:39] even if we cannot travel

[00:19:41] some distribution of food

[00:19:43] or anyway

[00:19:44] or some gifts for them

[00:19:46] whatever little happiness we can provide them

[00:19:49] amazing

[00:19:50] you know so like you've been on our journey

[00:19:52] not really that

[00:19:54] the platforms of beauty pageants

[00:19:56] opened that journey for you

[00:19:57] you've been on a mission

[00:19:58] literally like you know

[00:19:59] the way I sense it

[00:20:01] and this mission is not going to

[00:20:03] just be limited to beauty pageants

[00:20:05] you got into brand promotions

[00:20:07] I see a lot happening in that aspect

[00:20:09] in your life

[00:20:10] and recently

[00:20:11] you had a movie release

[00:20:13] trailer release

[00:20:14] Kathakar

[00:20:15] Kathakar

[00:20:16] what is the character like

[00:20:18] you can give us some

[00:20:19] sure

[00:20:20] so first of all Kathakar means

[00:20:23] so you know the Indian classical dance Kathak

[00:20:25] so person who tells stories

[00:20:27] through Kathak

[00:20:28] and I'm playing a role of a cop

[00:20:30] who is strong

[00:20:32] determined, resilient

[00:20:34] and who unravels

[00:20:36] a case of a human trafficking

[00:20:39] so when this came up to me

[00:20:41] I was already connected

[00:20:43] to you know the abused victims

[00:20:45] through my NGO

[00:20:49] so I really you know somehow

[00:20:51] I was also emotionally connected

[00:20:53] throughout this movie

[00:20:55] somehow

[00:20:57] and just to share with you

[00:20:59] I have not used a Gleason in the entire movie

[00:21:01] I tried

[00:21:03] internalizing each and every scene

[00:21:05] before the camera was rolling

[00:21:08] I love challenges

[00:21:09] so this was one challenge that I promised to myself

[00:21:11] that I'm not going to do it

[00:21:13] and let's see how it comes up

[00:21:14] amazing

[00:21:16] and I think

[00:21:18] so that's how

[00:21:19] talking about the movie

[00:21:20] so yes

[00:21:21] in her flashback she's a very

[00:21:24] girl next door

[00:21:25] but then the challenges

[00:21:27] changes her

[00:21:28] again in our life

[00:21:29] she's surrounded by

[00:21:31] some naysayers

[00:21:33] who tries to tell you

[00:21:35] that's how I've also related in many ways

[00:21:37] there is a word which is being called

[00:21:39] like

[00:21:40] to

[00:21:41] in the movie

[00:21:43] and whenever she hears it

[00:21:44] she gets triggered

[00:21:46] and then

[00:21:47] you know she bounces back

[00:21:50] so that word

[00:21:51] I mean of course

[00:21:53] in that moment

[00:21:54] she feels emotionally like

[00:21:56] what has happened

[00:21:57] and how can somebody say so

[00:21:58] but then she bounces back

[00:21:59] and that's what has happened

[00:22:00] that becomes a fuel

[00:22:02] for her to bounce back

[00:22:04] very interesting because

[00:22:06] the NGO experience

[00:22:08] led to some

[00:22:10] opportunity which led to another opportunity

[00:22:12] which are all linked

[00:22:14] almost like a serendipity right

[00:22:15] happening in the universe

[00:22:16] universe is like

[00:22:18] hey I'm taking care of it

[00:22:19] you just keep playing your role

[00:22:22] but to keep playing your role in life

[00:22:24] requires a lot of

[00:22:26] resilience and all these values

[00:22:28] of determination and consistency

[00:22:30] and that's sort of a take away

[00:22:32] I'm taking from you right

[00:22:34] that it's not really

[00:22:35] tactical

[00:22:36] that you have won a beauty pageant

[00:22:38] or you have won a movie

[00:22:40] what are the values

[00:22:41] in your personality behind it

[00:22:43] yes and I would want to say

[00:22:44] one more thing here

[00:22:45] that you know

[00:22:47] every day is a learning opportunity

[00:22:49] so we should not stop ourselves

[00:22:51] that today we got this

[00:22:53] so the way

[00:22:55] the day you feel

[00:22:57] that I know everything

[00:22:59] the life is stopped

[00:23:00] you are dead

[00:23:01] you are not growing

[00:23:02] you are not growing

[00:23:03] so I always feel that

[00:23:06] and one more thing

[00:23:08] that is imbibed in me

[00:23:10] through childhood

[00:23:12] being kind to others around you

[00:23:14] I think that is very important somehow

[00:23:15] being grounded

[00:23:17] being grateful for what you have

[00:23:20] or what you don't have

[00:23:22] again I will come back

[00:23:24] to my spiritual system

[00:23:25] because that's what is guiding me always

[00:23:28] keep your intentions pure

[00:23:30] keep doing your hard work

[00:23:31] because there is no shortcut to success

[00:23:34] there is no shortcut to success

[00:23:36] even if you

[00:23:38] somebody might think that

[00:23:40] they do a smart work

[00:23:41] or a shortcut

[00:23:42] it will be very temporary

[00:23:43] it cannot be long term

[00:23:45] you have to work hard every day

[00:23:47] right

[00:23:48] so we see a very strong person

[00:23:50] in you right Priyanka

[00:23:52] but I am sure there might be instances

[00:23:55] where they would have been an emotional

[00:23:57] low period in your life

[00:23:59] which would have been

[00:24:01] really impacted

[00:24:02] you are just like the character

[00:24:03] which you are talking about

[00:24:04] somebody has said something

[00:24:05] he has done something in life

[00:24:07] that impacted you so much

[00:24:09] that you hit the ground bottom

[00:24:11] it happens in our lives

[00:24:13] so

[00:24:15] can you share that instance

[00:24:16] is just if you are comfortable

[00:24:18] because see for us to see a beauty

[00:24:22] pageant winner

[00:24:24] actor we see lot

[00:24:27] perfection

[00:24:29] but to know a story

[00:24:30] where they rise up again from the bottom

[00:24:33] is really inspiring

[00:24:35] absolutely

[00:24:37] there were a few

[00:24:38] but if I have to tell one

[00:24:39] yes

[00:24:40] one of the major ones was

[00:24:41] where I was trying to crack

[00:24:43] my childhood accountancy

[00:24:45] and I was into job

[00:24:47] and

[00:24:49] so I was the only female

[00:24:51] who was there in the entire finance department

[00:24:54] and then other males

[00:24:56] were getting

[00:24:58] promotion

[00:24:59] so when I asked my boss

[00:25:01] like everybody else would have done

[00:25:02] that

[00:25:04] my promotion is also due

[00:25:06] I was being told because

[00:25:08] he is a chartered accountant

[00:25:11] and you are still not

[00:25:13] now I had two choices to make at the time

[00:25:15] because I was an average job

[00:25:17] like keep doing it

[00:25:19] be safe

[00:25:21] or

[00:25:22] leave my job

[00:25:24] and wholeheartedly

[00:25:26] try to crack it

[00:25:27] because I don't know

[00:25:28] like if I haven't cracked it since 6 attempts

[00:25:31] I didn't know whether I'll crack it or not

[00:25:33] but then I took that step

[00:25:35] I left my job

[00:25:36] I joined library

[00:25:38] they were all young

[00:25:39] very very young kids around me

[00:25:42] you know somebody was trying

[00:25:44] for the first level, second level

[00:25:46] or maybe first attempt

[00:25:48] for the third level

[00:25:50] and

[00:25:51] of course I was being judged at that time

[00:25:54] but then what I did was

[00:25:56] just ignoring everything

[00:25:58] and just paying attention to what I want to do

[00:26:01] there is a very funny incident also

[00:26:03] during that journey

[00:26:05] so

[00:26:06] you know I don't like disturbances

[00:26:08] when I am doing something with full focus

[00:26:12] so what I did

[00:26:13] I could

[00:26:14] feel like lot of disturbances

[00:26:16] from around here and there

[00:26:17] so I went to a market

[00:26:19] and

[00:26:20] I went to a market

[00:26:21] and

[00:26:22] I bought two cardboards

[00:26:25] and I put it on my table

[00:26:26] like left and right

[00:26:28] now people started making fun of it

[00:26:29] like you know what is she doing

[00:26:31] this is so funny

[00:26:33] and

[00:26:34] you know like how it is

[00:26:37] but then

[00:26:38] in that same attempt

[00:26:40] by God's grace

[00:26:41] I cracked CA

[00:26:43] because I full-fledgedly

[00:26:45] over my heart and soul into it

[00:26:47] what I thought I was capable of

[00:26:48] I gave more than that

[00:26:50] and when

[00:26:52] so when my result was out

[00:26:53] I came to the library

[00:26:55] to distribute sweets

[00:26:57] and then I saw

[00:26:58] I just thought let me just take a walk

[00:27:00] and see like I was at this place

[00:27:02] and when I took a walk

[00:27:04] there were around 7-8 tables

[00:27:06] in which I saw those cardboards

[00:27:08] that was the time

[00:27:10] when I realised it is so important

[00:27:11] to focus on your own journey

[00:27:13] and don't follow the crowd

[00:27:15] amazing

[00:27:16] and be a trailblazer

[00:27:17] just try at least

[00:27:19] what will happen

[00:27:21] at least as you will fail

[00:27:23] but at least you try it

[00:27:25] and there is no failure

[00:27:26] failure I always feel is like

[00:27:28] another opportunity

[00:27:29] for you to evolve more

[00:27:31] and it gets you more closer

[00:27:33] to the success

[00:27:35] have you had a role model

[00:27:38] ever?

[00:27:41] yes

[00:27:43] I really liked

[00:27:44] I've always liked the journey

[00:27:45] of Priyanka Chowk

[00:27:46] somehow I relate a lot to her

[00:27:48] because she is also an explorer by nature

[00:27:51] so am I

[00:27:53] like you see she does so many things

[00:27:55] with a lot of passion

[00:27:57] and with the belief

[00:27:59] that she can do it

[00:28:00] she doesn't care

[00:28:02] so she is a producer

[00:28:04] she is an actor

[00:28:05] she comes from a pageantry background

[00:28:07] she is a singer

[00:28:09] and a lot more

[00:28:11] and she manages her home

[00:28:13] so many things together

[00:28:14] in that way

[00:28:16] I have been an explorer

[00:28:18] I have been following my passions

[00:28:20] my dreams

[00:28:22] with all my heart

[00:28:24] and whatever I have

[00:28:25] without thinking what others will

[00:28:27] think

[00:28:29] because that is what

[00:28:31] pulls you down

[00:28:33] that what people will say

[00:28:35] people tell you that

[00:28:37] Priyanka why are you doing it

[00:28:39] I am like why can't I do it

[00:28:41] I try to restrict myself from negativity

[00:28:42] so when I think that from somewhere

[00:28:45] lot of negativity is coming up

[00:28:47] I close the door very respectfully

[00:28:50] so you withdraw your senses

[00:28:51] you are away from that completely

[00:28:53] I don't like to give back negativity

[00:28:54] because it's not in my nature

[00:28:56] so what I will do is

[00:28:57] I'll keep distance

[00:28:59] Meera karma kharaab ho gana

[00:29:01] if I say something negative to them

[00:29:02] why should I spoil my own karma

[00:29:04] true blessing

[00:29:06] to have a support structure around

[00:29:08] Priyanka because what you are saying

[00:29:09] is

[00:29:11] having clarity of thought at this age

[00:29:13] having very strong values

[00:29:15] and having proven yourself again and again

[00:29:18] that if you implement these values in life

[00:29:21] you do get success

[00:29:23] but if they don't get the environment

[00:29:25] if they don't get water

[00:29:27] if they don't get food

[00:29:29] then what will happen to them

[00:29:31] but in your case

[00:29:33] you have been lucky

[00:29:35] and glad to have a support system around

[00:29:37] very strong support system around

[00:29:39] women let's say who don't have

[00:29:41] strong family support system

[00:29:43] who are not able to shut down the trolls

[00:29:46] who are not able to you know

[00:29:48] just shut it out

[00:29:50] the negativity

[00:29:52] any message for them

[00:29:54] how do they surface out of this

[00:29:57] I'll say first of all

[00:29:59] even if they don't have

[00:30:01] the immediate support system

[00:30:03] but still what happens is

[00:30:05] when they don't get

[00:30:07] the support system

[00:30:09] they are not giving themselves

[00:30:11] so they should not doubt themselves first of all

[00:30:14] somebody else's opinion

[00:30:16] cannot tell you what you are capable of

[00:30:18] or what you are not

[00:30:20] you should decide for yourself

[00:30:22] so I feel that choice

[00:30:24] those women should still not give to anybody else

[00:30:27] like you know be the

[00:30:30] be the guide at least

[00:30:32] and in my case also

[00:30:34] if you see that the decisions that I make

[00:30:36] I make independent decisions

[00:30:37] my husband alone

[00:30:39] like always

[00:30:41] so I will say to them

[00:30:43] that even if they are not getting

[00:30:45] the immediate support system

[00:30:47] but still they should not feel shattered

[00:30:49] because still whatever potential

[00:30:51] they have you know whatever

[00:30:53] little they can do

[00:30:55] they should do it

[00:30:57] rather than totally shutting down themselves

[00:30:59] from everything that you know

[00:31:01] nothing can happen and

[00:31:03] that is like even if

[00:31:05] you can do 30 or 40%

[00:31:07] 30%

[00:31:09] even if you keep achieving

[00:31:11] in life

[00:31:13] it will give you happiness

[00:31:15] so it becomes like a building block

[00:31:17] and you never look from there what happens

[00:31:19] and maybe

[00:31:21] like example

[00:31:23] for immediate family also

[00:31:25] if somebody is not getting the support

[00:31:27] maybe if they see you

[00:31:29] getting there

[00:31:31] maybe they start supporting you

[00:31:33] how universe conspires

[00:31:35] exactly

[00:31:37] so I am getting the story

[00:31:39] it really inspires me

[00:31:41] I am going to do something about it

[00:31:43] coming to my next section

[00:31:45] which should be interesting

[00:31:47] for our listeners

[00:31:49] rapid fire segment

[00:31:51] so my number one is

[00:31:53] what daily habits keeps you

[00:31:55] feeling empowered and unstoppable

[00:31:58] my never giving up attitude

[00:32:00] and

[00:32:02] always love to learn new things

[00:32:04] any advice for aspiring beauty pageant contest

[00:32:07] what are your suggestions

[00:32:09] dont compete with others

[00:32:11] compete with your yesterday

[00:32:13] and try to become a better version each day

[00:32:16] lovely

[00:32:18] so how has your finance background influenced your journey

[00:32:21] as an unstoppable woman

[00:32:23] in the entertainment industry

[00:32:25] I think finance is all about

[00:32:28] analyzing

[00:32:32] you know as we have closings

[00:32:34] and stuff like that

[00:32:35] it always keeps you on toes

[00:32:37] so that has really helped me to analyze

[00:32:40] in terms of

[00:32:42] how much effort

[00:32:44] I need to put

[00:32:46] is it worth it

[00:32:48] and stuff like that

[00:32:50] it really helps me to analyze in the entertainment industry

[00:32:52] whats a song that gets you pumped up

[00:32:54] and ready to take on the world

[00:32:56] you will not believe but it is unstoppable

[00:32:59] it always been

[00:33:01] in fact in my Mrs India 22

[00:33:02] I showcased my CA journey through this song

[00:33:06] lovely

[00:33:08] I could have done something very simple

[00:33:10] but I deliberately did it because this song is most close to my heart

[00:33:13] amazing

[00:33:15] I think the universe is completely conspiring

[00:33:18] something is going on but I am loving it

[00:33:21] can you recall a particular proud

[00:33:23] or unstoppable moment from your career

[00:33:26] that stands out to you

[00:33:28] unstoppable moment

[00:33:30] unstoppable moment

[00:33:32] I will say when I crack my child accountancy

[00:33:35] journey

[00:33:37] I still remember that time when my result came out

[00:33:40] and I started crying

[00:33:42] my father thought that I have again not cleared

[00:33:45] and he came to hug me

[00:33:47] and he said it's okay

[00:33:49] I said no I have cleared this time

[00:33:51] so it was all like you know I still get

[00:33:54] you know what you call that

[00:33:56] yeah goose bumps that are done in rush

[00:33:58] like when I remembered that moment

[00:34:00] life transforming moment

[00:34:02] that was a life transforming moment for me for sure

[00:34:04] if you had to choose one word

[00:34:07] to describe your unstoppable journey

[00:34:09] what it would be

[00:34:11] can I use two

[00:34:13] resilient warrior

[00:34:15] resilient

[00:34:17] Priyanka the resilient warrior

[00:34:20] insha Allah one day a movie will come

[00:34:23] what skill or talent have you developed

[00:34:26] that contributes to your feeling of being unstoppable

[00:34:30] I think

[00:34:32] my whole life has been a journey of learning

[00:34:35] I call my journey a roller coaster journey

[00:34:38] where I have

[00:34:40] I still try to evolve and learn each day

[00:34:43] so I will not say there is a particular skill or talent

[00:34:46] of course like a never giving up attitude

[00:34:48] has always been there

[00:34:50] it started from CA journey in pageantry

[00:34:52] like in pageantry also I faced so many challenges

[00:34:55] you know I got fracture and stuff like that

[00:34:57] there was so many instances

[00:34:58] but then still

[00:35:00] if I have to say one

[00:35:02] then I will say a never giving up attitude

[00:35:04] never give up

[00:35:06] you go to self care practice

[00:35:08] when you need to recharge

[00:35:10] exercise

[00:35:12] every time

[00:35:14] when I am tired

[00:35:16] when I am low

[00:35:18] when I need positive energy

[00:35:20] it has worked out every time

[00:35:22] even if when I am crying during exercise

[00:35:24] like when my trainer is telling me to do that

[00:35:26] when I am crying

[00:35:28] when I am in the thought process that I go through

[00:35:30] oh my god I have to do this

[00:35:32] and when I do that

[00:35:34] after the tears are out

[00:35:36] oh my god yes I can do it

[00:35:38] amazing

[00:35:40] can you share fearless decisions

[00:35:42] that lead to positive turning point in your life

[00:35:46] I think one of the most fearless decision

[00:35:48] was where I left my job

[00:35:51] and we have shared that in detail

[00:35:53] like when my boss told me

[00:35:55] that I cannot grow from here

[00:35:57] and I left my job

[00:35:58] joined library

[00:36:00] I think that was the most fearless decision of my life until now

[00:36:04] we have been talking about unstoppable

[00:36:07] but

[00:36:09] when did this unstoppable woman stop

[00:36:12] do you think it is important to stop once in a while

[00:36:17] it is important to

[00:36:19] take maybe a bit of breather

[00:36:21] but I don't call it a stop

[00:36:23] unstoppable woman will never stop

[00:36:29] and why should we stop

[00:36:32] I mean as I said you know

[00:36:35] every day

[00:36:37] by God's grace

[00:36:39] when I get up in the morning

[00:36:41] I am grateful to God

[00:36:43] for whatever He has given me

[00:36:45] or whatever He has not given me

[00:36:47] and then I start my day

[00:36:49] and then

[00:36:51] so I feel that when I am breathing

[00:36:53] or when there is a universe calling

[00:36:55] or when God has selected me to do something

[00:36:58] it is my responsibility

[00:36:59] it is my duty to give 100% to that

[00:37:04] and with period of time

[00:37:06] you realise

[00:37:08] what you are best at

[00:37:10] but explore

[00:37:12] just believe in yourself and where your heart goes just explore

[00:37:14] why to stop

[00:37:16] and that has always been my message

[00:37:18] just

[00:37:20] believe in yourself

[00:37:22] keep dreaming

[00:37:24] keep working hard

[00:37:26] and don't listen to the negative noises around you

[00:37:29] if anybody tells you

[00:37:31] that you are not capable of

[00:37:33] just tell them to sit back

[00:37:35] and what you are doing it

[00:37:37] like I did

[00:37:39] so it is an attitude

[00:37:41] unstoppable is an attitude

[00:37:43] not always in action

[00:37:46] so what's next Priyanka

[00:37:48] well I would want to share

[00:37:50] that our movie Kathakar

[00:37:52] is being nominated

[00:37:54] in film festivals

[00:37:56] and by God grace

[00:37:58] it has been nominated and recognised

[00:38:00] and now new scripts have started coming up

[00:38:03] but as always

[00:38:05] I keep my patience

[00:38:07] I try to

[00:38:10] work with right people

[00:38:13] and that way

[00:38:15] so I am trying to go through various scripts

[00:38:17] and many character based roles are also coming up

[00:38:19] like Kathakar happened

[00:38:21] so just keeping my fingers crossed

[00:38:23] and now various brands have also started

[00:38:26] approaching like bigger brands

[00:38:28] I will say

[00:38:30] congratulations and we wish you all the very best

[00:38:33] any last message for our listeners

[00:38:36] yes as the name of your show is unstoppable woman

[00:38:40] so I would just want to say one line

[00:38:43] that unstoppable woman

[00:38:47] is not

[00:38:49] a woman

[00:38:51] that did not face any failures

[00:38:54] but she's somebody

[00:38:56] who faced failures

[00:38:58] or maybe had doubts

[00:39:00] but she continued despite them

[00:39:03] lovely

[00:39:05] that's a very good definition

[00:39:07] thank you so much for coming on our show

[00:39:09] and sharing all these lovely values

[00:39:12] amazing insights about your life

[00:39:15] and we wish you all the very best

[00:39:17] I think your journey has just begun

[00:39:19] many more bigger things are your way

[00:39:21] thank you so much for inviting me

[00:39:24] to your amazing show

[00:39:25] and I wish that

[00:39:28] it goes to greater heights it will

[00:39:31] and it was amazing meeting you as well

[00:39:34] and you are also unstoppable

[00:39:36] that's why I think the name really suits

[00:39:38] thank you so much