“It takes a village to raise a child goes the proverb. Though we may not have contributed to her success directly, it still gives us a sense of achievement to know that someone from among us has achieved so much. I love to meet achievers. I am too excited to see her,” said Nirvana Country resident Nandita Mathur summing up the sentiments of a huge crowd that had gathered at a function to felicitate Miss India World Aditi Arya, who stays in the same residential complex.
Another resident Puja Mathur, a painter by profession, said Aditi worked as a business analyst at Ernst and Young which made her a “beauty with brains” in the true sense.
Not just youngsters, people of all ages and from all walks of life had gathered at the park to catch a glimpse of the new star. “We have always heard about girls from other cities winning this title. Now someone from our city has achieved the feat. So I have come to take a look at her,” said octogenarian Sumitra Malik, who had come with her friends.
Nirvana RWA president Sanu Kapila said that many requests had poured in of people wanting an appointment with Aditi. Acquainted with Aditi’s family, Mr. Kapila said that they had come to stay at Nirvana over a year ago. “They are nice, simple and honest people. And these values have been imbibed well by Aditi. That’s why all her answers at the pageant came straight from her heart,” said Mr. Kapila.
For a group of teenagers, Aditi was now their new role model. “It feels proud to know that someone representing India lives next door. Her achievement would inspire us all,” said Jhanvi Sareen, a Class VIII student of The Heritage School.
Aditi turned up at the function in a pink gown and wearing her coveted crown accompanied by her family. “Two years ago, I had not thought that I wanted to be Miss India. But I was a hardworker. I gave my cent per cent to all opportunities that came my way. So give it your all, you never know which way life may take you,” was Aditi’s message to youngsters in the crowd.
