Tanisha Roy: From Cancer survivor to Mrs India finalist

Deep inside your heart, amidst the clutter of all your desires, amidst all the thoughts that do the rounds of your head every day, have you noticed how the quality of your thoughts actually manifest themselves in reality?

There have been days, in fact most of the days, when you, after a sudden burst of productivity, have felt that you want to do precisely…nothing, and just lie in a corner, slumped with your smartphone or any other device or vice of your choice and blindingly consume whatever was being pushed out at that moment, a sense of comfort gleaned from the fact that doing so felt so…comfortable, the exact state of mind that the brain was looking for, since the human brain has been programmed over millions of years to just survive and not thrive.

Therefore, the onus is up to you to take up responsibility for everything that happens in your life, good or bad, and be grateful for the fact that at least you’ve so much to look forward to within yourself and continue in the face of all adversity that includes laziness and procrastination, negative people and the lack of setting specific goals which need to be achieved within a specific timeframe.

Push yourself against all odds, no matter how insurmountable or intimidating they look.

Bangalore Insider is humbled to introduce you to Ms. Tanisha Roy, a shining example for us and for all our readers.

 

Tell us about yourself, what do you like most about your field of work?

I am a cheerful, positive, enthusiastic, ambitious person with integrity, and a strong belief in empathy and compassion. I am also a solo traveller strongly believing Jobs fill our pockets but adventure fills our souls. I have travelled to 22 countries sometimes for work as in Dubai, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Muscat, Mauritius and others for leisure in USA, Europe, Africa and Middle East. This has also taught me to come out of my comfort zone where actual growth and success occurs.

Well, let’s just say the Beauty Pageant chose me instead of me choosing it. I never thought I would be on this platform and that too on an International level, so I love the competitiveness, preparation, to bring out the best in me, fine tune my soft skills like communication, poise, grace, elegance, answer questions smartly, ramp walk, talent round practice, well the list goes on. Basically this has helped me to have a disciplinarian approach towards life, un-limit myself, live my life to the fullest potential and reach for the stars.

 

Your previous jobs/ventures? What were you doing before choosing this field? 

I have worked in the corporate sector for more than 10 years starting with Kingfisher Airlines as a Guest Relation Executive, moving up the corporate ladder slowly to a Manger of Corporate Communication and finally taking a sabbatical break now to follow my heart’s desire, finishing with GE – General Electric, where I loved handling corporate events. It kept me on my toes, and creativity is the thing I have been most passionate about in my field of work. The satisfaction at the end of the day for successfully finishing an event, I feel is the best thing which can ensure a good sleep at night.

 

How did you land up doing what you do now?

If I could ever describe my life anything but not eventful, it won’t be enough.

In June 2018, I had my surgery for Pleomorphic Adenoma. It was a salivary gland tumour which needs to be surgically removed from my body and had no medication options to reduce it.  The surgery was a macro surgery and was cut open from the lobe of my left ear to my neck down and if the surgery had gone wrong, then I would have been paralysed with my facial nerves twisted. But it was successful, yet the most shocking results came.

I was diagnosed with Cancer in one of the strains in the bioscopy results. My tumour from benign had turn malignant.

It was the most shocking day of my life. But I was still thankful and grateful to the Supreme Power that I had been diagnosed in the early stages which are quite rare in this disease. I took appropriate treatments to arrest the growth.

I had put on a lot of weight due to bed rest because of my surgery. The worst part was I have been body-shamed by my so called friends and neighbours behind my back. I went into major depression. Finally, after my 6 months of bed rest, I said to myself – Enough is Enough, I woke up as if from a deep sleep and just realized that I have the power to create my own reality.

I started hitting the gym no matter how difficult it was for my body to take. Understood the importance of self-love and self-care. I cannot take care of others or love others if I am empty from within.

Nourished my body with good thoughts and nutritious food and cut off all things which was toxic for me. Be it food, drinks or even harmful relationships (pseudo friends, relatives who were draining energy from me instead of healing me).

These past few months were the most trans-formative time of my life with self-discipline and I was like a woman on mission to dedicate myself to achieve my deepest desires and dreams.

My efforts started showing up gradually and consistently.

In February 2019 I got a call to register and audition for a prestigious Beauty Pageant. Even though I never did professional modelling, but I had a natural inclination towards camera, posing, style and elegance. I am born creative.

I auditioned for Haut Monde Mrs India Worldwide 2019 beauty pageant, Season 9 in Bangalore and was waiting for my results with bated breath.

Finally, I am proud to say that I am the Finalist of Mrs. India Worldwide after a strict competition of 30,000 participants from 20 countries, I was chosen! I am among the 171 contestants who are going to Represent India in the Grand Finale that is going to take place in Greece in October 2019.

 

If not the current profession, what would you have been?

Let’s just say, be grateful to what has shown up in my life right now because Gratitude is the Best Attitude and I have my 100 percent focus, attention and efforts for this pageant and I can’t think of anything else right now, that I would be doing if not this.

 

What motivates you to keep going? 

My Goal, my vision in life where I have to reach, keeps the flame of passion alive, the fire kicking and I am self-fuelled. You need motivation when you are living somebody else’s dreams, but when the dream is yours and yours alone from the core of your heart, you are self-driven. It is high time that I finally learnt from my experiences, that there is no knight in shining armour. The only person that can change your life is the one looking at you from the mirror. So sit in the drivers wheel of your life and steer it the way you want it, rather than allowing life to just flow by you instead with you.

 

Tell us how a day in your life looks like? Your schedule for a day right from the time you get up till you hit the bed at night.

I always say find time for 3 things in my everyday life:

Physical Exercise

Meditation for Mental Well-Being

A Good Diet.

• The moment I wake up I start my day by thanking the Universe for everything in my life right now.
• I am very conscious about what I feed my body with, so my day usually starts with: Lemon squeeze in lukewarm water with salt, no sugar in empty stomach.
• I finish my meditation as it calms my mind and prepares me for a strong eventful day and to take on anything in life. Meditation has helped me to respond to situations rather than react.
• Then I have my Breakfast which consists of oats, honey, almond, cashew, dates, milk and cinnamon powder followed by flaxseeds, and chia seeds.
• Then I hit the gym, for two hours. Or else I swim for an hour.
• I usually have small meals throughout the day, so after my physical exercise I have a protein shake or a cup of black coffee which is very good for muscle proteins. That sums up my morning.

 

• I keep taking sips of Green tea which detoxifies my body and keeps my skin glowing.
• It’s lunch time already and I finish my lunch within 12 PM. Lunch usually consists of Oats Atta Roti/Chapati with lots of vegetables and egg or chicken for protein.
• Then it’s time for me to hit the Dance Floor, dancing is my passion. Also I am a certified Bharatnatyam Dancer. I love all forms of dancing, ethnic, classical or freestyle.
• I read a lot of articles for Question Answer Round.
• I prepare for Ramp Walk to be effortless on a 7 inch stiletto.
• Evening within 4 to 6:30 I have fruits, maybe an apple, papaya or guava.
• I usually finish my dinner within 7pm latest and it consists the same menu of lunch.
• If I feel hungry at night, I usually have curd with dry fruits, no sugar and an apple again.
• I end my day counting my blessings and finish it with some nice music as I drift off to sleep.

 

This is my usual day, apart from various different video shoots, photo shoots, interview calls as and when it happens. I don’t believe in wasting time watching TV, unless there are some motivational videos to watch.

 

Any regrets till now? If yes, will you like to share it with our readers?

My biggest regret was giving up on my dreams during my college days for others comfort and listening to others – how a girl should behave and not utilize my full potential, rather settling for a life that is compromising, underwhelming and unfulfilling. But no more of that. Quit thinking of what others will think or log kya kahenge. Rather listen to your heart and only yours. There will be haters who will want to pull you down in every step but as I say Jealousy is earned, Sympathy is Free. Higher you go, be prepare to step out of the box and live your own life. Quit Hiding.

 

If you were given a choice of meeting any person you want, who will be that person?

I had always looked up to Diana – the princess of everyone’s heart, well she is no more but she is still quite an inspiration to me. Apart from her, I would love to meet Leonardo Di Caprio, my biggest crush from the time I was a child and I saw Titanic. So that would be magic come true in my life if I could meet him personally. Not only does he come from a very humble background but he is what he is today because of his potential and talent.

 

What is the biggest misconception that you think people have about you?

Well I am sometimes perceived as arrogant and I am often misunderstood although I have my best interests for others at heart. My arrogance is actually my shyness. I am an introvert in personal life so yes I am not used to making small talks so that gives an impression of arrogance. But I am a girl with a right attitude and always there for people, you just need to judge less and look closer to understand me. As they say don’t judge a book by its cover, read inside.

 

Any message that you want to send to your readers?

Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. It is OK to be afraid but doesn’t let fear stop you from where you are trying to reach. Run, walk, crawl if you must but keep going.

Start Today. Take baby steps, don’t try to make up for a lost time but be consistent in your actions. Do not procrastinate. What you can do today, let’s not wait for tomorrow, rather step up.

Excellence comes from Perseverance, dedication, commitment, and passion, and if you are best in your field, success is bound to follow.

You Never Know How Strong You are, Unless Being Strong Is the Only Option You Have Got.

Count your blessings, stop complaining and turn your weakest points to your strength.

Change starts with you. Believe You Can and You Will.