“Success, for me, is to wake up with a smile and spread smiles and happiness among the people around me and across the world. When I go to sleep, I should be having the contentment that I could spread smile and happiness during the day.” This is what Rashmi Sahay feels, and said while facing the personal interview round at Mrs Asia Pacific Competition held recently.

At the international pageant held at Hotel Forest City of Johor Bahru city in Malaysia, Rashmi won three titles — Queen Ambassador, Mrs Friendship and Mrs Congeniality.

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Rashmi, who is from Bihar, lives in Muscat, Oman. A person with simple nature, Rashmi makes friends easily, which helped her earn the titles.

Rashmi told Thestatesman.com, “It was great to witness one of the judges clapping when I answered a question. I was asked how I was feeling and I replied- Fearless! Then, one of the judges said- We have never heard this…”

Thanking the Indian Embassy in Oman for their support, Rashmi said she was excited to have been invited by the High Commissioner of India at Singapore, and would meet the envoy on May 27.

Talking about her journey, she said she discussed her story as an inspirational tale at the international pageant. Being dark, Rashmi said, she was under-confident and was always conscious about her looks. But she was an excellent sportsperson. At St. Joseph’s Convent High School in Patna, where she studied, Rashmi was the basketball captain.

Beauty pageant was something she never thought she would participate in. But Rashmi not only contested, but won hearts too. The five-day event started from 14 May, 2019. While the first day of the event was held in Singapore, the rest of the competition was hosted in Malaysia.

Rashmi says she wants to motivate the “back benchers” who have the talent but do not have the courage to showcase it. She says, “It’s all about confidence and grooming.”

Queen Ambassadors were selected on the basis of how well one represented oneself, her country and how inspirational the story of her life had been.

Rashmi added, “My husband Amit asked me to take part in Mrs India competition from where the journey started for this international round. Before that, I became the second runner-up in the Mrs Teej competition organised by the Indian Social Club of Oman, Hindi wing in 2017 and was the winner at the Mrs Kajri competition organised by the same club, Bhojpuri wing.” Since then, Rashmi has been nicknamed Mrs India by her friends in Oman.

In 2018, she took part in Mrs India- I am Powerful competition and emerged as Mrs India Asia Pacific Tourism on May 15, 2018 in Goa.

Rashmi recalled, “Even the national round held at Goa saw real models participating and posing in a very confident manner and I thought they would win. On the other hand, the organisers wanted someone who could showcase the concept ‘I am Powerful’ in the best way.”

Mrs Asia Pacific contest saw many sessions like one where the contestants showcased their talents and Rashmi played violin. There was a national costume round too. “It was a moment of pride to hold India’s flag in the opening dance as everyone had to hold their country’s flags,” Rashmi said.