Dear Sushmita Sen — Thank You for Making the Unconventional the New Normal
You broke all stereotypes and redefined what it means to be a woman of the 21st century.
Dear Sushmita Sen,
“Life’s all about choices. Everyone’s destination is the same; only the paths are different.”
— Sushmita Sen
Elegance, grace, and timeless beauty — these are just a few adjectives in a million that I can think of right now when I think of you. But your timeless beauty is because of your pure heart, and when a heart is filled with so much love, it shines through the soul and the body.
You have been my role model since the time I understood what the definition of true beauty is. You see, people often perceive beauty based on someone’s facial appearance. But you taught me that one’s actions define beauty, beauty is determined by how much someone cares, beauty is defined by accepting one another wholeheartedly.
You redefined beauty for countless women and me across the globe when you won the Miss Universe title back in 1994. The first-ever Indian woman to bring the crown home.
“I will definitely get married, but it is not that it has to happen at a certain age.”
— Sushmita Sen
For me, you broke all stereotypes. You truly proved to the world that women can indeed do anything that she sets her mind on and can break all the shackles laid down by society, from adopting two wonderful girls to living a life that is so full of love. People are in awe of you and feel overwhelmed to receive so much love when they meet you in person. I wish I, too, could meet you in person someday.
It’s hard when anyone is bound with expectations. Especially when women are expected to live in a certain way. But you always listened to your heart and inspired countless women that you get one life, and it’s on you as to how you want to live. No one else gets to make that call for you.
You shifted my perspective towards life. You made the unusual seem normal by going after what you truly believe. You proved to us that marriage isn’t the end goal of a woman. It’s a choice, and it’s solely a choice that a woman gets to make.
“I have this very simple logic about life that it should not be taken too seriously.”
— Sushmita Sen
In your unique ways, you showed us that people who genuinely support you will always respect your unconventional decisions. And it may take time, but eventually, society will accept it too. But what truly matters is the support of your loved ones.
Thank you for making the unconventional the new normal. Thank you for opening doors for countless women who want to live lives a bit differently from others. Thank you for breaking all stereotypes and giving other women a chance to live their authentic lives by sharing your examples to those who think that we are crazy thinking the way we do.
Thank you for instilling hope in me that a woman can have it all if she is willing to believe in herself first and then do the work.
Yours truly,
A woman who will always look up to you for inspiration.
Thank you Vidya Kasarla for tagging me to your role model letter. This allowed me to write about mine which I never thought I would if it weren’t for you. Lots of love and hugs.
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