All is possible if you are committed to yourself and your dreams. And Manya Singh proved that. Being the daughter of an autorickshaw driver, Manya’s childhood wasn’t ever easy. But yesterday she proved to the world that dreams do come true. And she now holds the title of the VLCC Femina Miss India 2020 Runner Up.
The Beginnings
Manya Singh struggled throughout her childhood. Spend many sleepless nights without food, her clothes were all hand-me-downs. She yearned for books. While her parents worked extremely hard to provide for her, luck was just never in her favour. Eventually, they mortgaged every little piece of jewellery they had, so Manya could earn a degree.
In fact, up till Class 9th, Manya Singh wasn’t officially enrolled in any school. She used to go to schools only for exams as exams fee was all they could afford. Yet, she scored around 80% in her Class 10th, as she simultaneously worked in Pizza Hut. In this world of nepotism, her parents were apprehensive about her dreams. How does the daughter of an autorickshaw driver become Miss India? You need to have strong background and she didn’t have that. But what most refused to understand is that she had faith and knew how to work hard. She believed in herself and her dreams.
When She Left Home
At the age of 14, in her early teens, Manya Singh realized that she would be married off after finishing her studies. But Manya was a young child with big dreams and the courage to go after it. So, she left. She somehow completed her studies during the day. Then she would go to houses to wash dishes and work in the call centre at night. Not only this, but she would walk for hours straight to save up the money of the rickshaw fare.
You see, Manya Singh had realized that for success, knowledge is important. She knew she needed to be fluent in her language, English or Hindi. Hence, the job at the call centre. And of course, she needed the money too. In college, She tried participating in the ‘Campus Princess’. Even though people tried to bring her down, discriminated against based on the complexion of her skin, Manya believed in herself.
She knew she couldn’t afford to groom, so she would sit at auditions and observe. She admits to learning a lot by observing other participants. The way they would carry themselves, their make up, how they were groomed for the auditions. And she learnt it all.
Her Learnings
When she entered the PI round of Miss India, she represented all women and not just UP. Manya Singh wanted to be an inspiration for all women who wanted to do something big. She further admits that it won’t be easy. The bigger your dreams, the harder the obstacles. But nothing is impossible. You have to believe in yourself.
