In Conversation With
Mona
Miss Bharat Elite DMV
IT Professional
Author
Model
USA
FASHION AND LIFESTYLE IS MY PASSION
As a women we are always worried about our body. So being confident and comfortable in your body is important to shine in your work
I have masters from Georgia state university in big data analytics and undergraduate from ip university new delhi in computer science engineering. Other than that I have 14 professional certification and because of that I am writing another book on how to get ML certified for google cloud.
I did not want to be IT professional. My father was a doctor and got into engineering as I could not clear medical entrance exam.
Its about hard work and luck. I worked as a java developer for Financial IT firms after completing my b. Tech in 2012. I realized I want to learn more and went for masters in 2016. Got into Amazon in 2017 and there was no looking back. I published 14 blog on AI/ Ml technology of amazon cloud. Published a research paper on semantic search technology by amazon science. Wrote a book on Natural language processing using aws ai services. I joined google in 2021 and now writing book on google cloud ML certification.
Struggle makes you resilient and value life as it is. I lost my father to cancer at age 27. I had to come to US for my masters with a huge education loan. Being an only child had to take care of my mother who is housewife. Loosing a parent makes you mature and responsible. I did my masters with constant fear what if I do not get a job. I could not go back to India as my family relies on me for everything. Also we had no financial support all along so there was a fear who will pay this loan if I do not succeed in getting a job.I feel my fathers blessing in all the opportunities I received in America. Its divine intervention leading to my success.
Winning Miss Bharat DMV was an unique experience. Being a technical person and overweight female. I never saw myself as a diva or miss Bharat. Through this platform it was a self discovery of me. The platform gave me confidence to represent myself as a women. I did took pageant coaching and am thankful to folks who encouraged me to participate such as Rashmi bedi and Chaitanya poloja.
I had my own NGO is India called Koshish kuch kar dikhane ki. I Ran this NGO for 8 years. The goal of the NGO was educating poor slum children and provide them opportunity. I could not manage the NGO from US and had to make very hard decision to close this. I have plans to do something in healthcare as it was my fathers dream. It might happen in my village in Bihar in near future.
How do you manage your professional work your passion in fashion and lifestyle?
Fashion and lifestyle is my passion and when you love what you do its just about managing time.
How women can achieve success in fashion and lifestyle along with their main career, mainly when they do not get support from the family?
Women can achieve sucess in fashion and lifestyle by being confident in themself . Your work represents you . As a women we are always worried about our body. So being confident and comfortable in your body is important to shine in your work. I had to let go of my fear that I am fat.
I did cocorocha model camp to improve my posing skills and go to local model meetups to hone my skill. when you do not get support from family its tough to excel in this feild. fortunately I had my family support throughout
What were the reactions of your family when you decided to make your presence in international beauty contests?
My family was thrilled and I had all the support from my family in India. This was not the case when I was 18 as my family was after me getting my education. Since I am financially independent now, my family had no concerns on pursuing my passion. My aunt started modeling at 48 in India and my cousin sister is an artist. All of this has been a motivating factor.
In the field of fashion and modeling there is very much criticism also, what is your experience. How do you accept this?
In the field of fashion there is lot of criticism, I just do what I love and ignore all the negativity . I meditate everyday and focus on my work and getting right opportunity.
Anjali Phougat of designer dream collection is my favorite. Her collections speaks about empowering women with looking fashionable in all body sizes. She gave me an opportunity to feature at times square billboard.Who inspired you to become an author.
I wrote 17 blogs on Amazon machine learning in 2 years. I realized that we can convert this into a book which will help people get started on their machine learning journey. Also I do not want people to think you ML is hard and you need Multiple PHD to get started. The idea is to empower everyone wanting to switch into ML side of things. This book covers no code low code solutions to solve business problems.In your professional and fashion career.
In my fashion career, I guess women has supported me more. when I was about to give up Anjali Phougat helped me provide a platform by publishing my work ay times square.Mona is introvert or extrovert by nature?
I am extrovert with family and friends and introvert in social settings.
My father gifted me a saree before he departed. Thats my most favorite costume till date.
Actual happiness is in yourself. Outside factors such as money should not affect the happiness within you. If its affecting you that means you have not understood the true meaning of life.
I do not think I am very fit. I do HIIT four days a week. I have difficulty losing weight so I have to be very cautious of my diet.
