GEETANJALI OBEROI: STRUGGLES FUELED HER SUCCESS By Mihir Srivastava

Geetanjali Oberoi, 44 years of age, was crowned the Elite Winner at Asia Pacific World 2024. ‘Your journey, dedication, and grace have truly shone through, making us all proud. Your elegance and poise on stage were simply captivating. Here's to celebrating your amazing achievement and the bright future ahead,’ read the text by Asia Pacific World.

So true for she excels on stage, therefore, a performer—a very good one. After all, in the words of Shakespeare, ‘All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players…..And one (wo)man in (her)his time plays many parts." Geetanjali has played many parts, and with distinction and courage, and it’s been an inspirational journey.

Let’s put her life into perspective. She was born to a Punjabi family, spent her childhood in Hansi, a small, dusty town in Haryana, and completed her education in Hindi medium, and went on to do her masters in English. Her upbringing is rooted in tradition, and she has strong roots. This deep cultural association, rigidity of customs and practices, gave her the power to break free, and push boundaries, and accomplish things that’s unthinkable even today in the patriarchal configuration of the region.

‘I had my share of struggles,’ she puts it mildly. It includes being eve-teased on a daily basis. ‘That’s why my father restricted my career choice to teaching,’ she recollects and after a pause says, with much emphasis, ‘only.’ She was only allowed to wear salwar-kameez. Needless to add, she was sent to a ‘only’ girls’ college. She had to deal with so many restrictive ‘only’ .

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To Geetanjali, evolving is synonymous with learning. ‘I’m always eager to learn, be it a new skill, any sport or an activity that makes me joyous,’ she explains and adds, ‘My motivation comes from this deep desire to challenge the limits placed on me by society.’

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Years in college changed her life. She met some professors who recognised her potential and encouraged her to hone her various talents. She evolved into an outgoing woman; a transformation of a tentative village girl. She did well in studies and extracurricular, a keen debater, she participated in drama, dance, singing, sports, and even recited poetry. She was perhaps the most active girl in the college with multiple talents, and she would prepare well, and excelled in public events. ‘Then there was no looking back. I kept participating and winning prizes,’ she recollects. Her parents were supportive and life would never be the same again.

Each of these struggles was a learning curve, and cemented her resolve for a better and equitable future. She pursued her mind relentlessly. Eldest of the three siblings, she wanted to live life ‘queen’ size. She set high standards for herself, and didn't settle for anything less; no shortcuts for her. All obstacles motivated her to bring about a change she was looking for in her life.

She has a supporting husband in Rajeev, he gave wings to her ambition. Mother of two daughters, Chhavi, 20, and Ragini, 16. They are a loving family, including her mother-in-law, Pramila. She is very popular in her condominium in Faridabad—for she participates actively in festivals and various events, and is integral to the social life here. It’s not a surprise, therefore, on her return, after winning the beauty pageant, she was given a rousing welcome.

All is attainable if you apply your mind to it, and have faith in God and your own abilities. ‘Each new challenge is an opportunity to grow, learn, and prove that nothing is out of reach if you have the will to pursue it,’ she says categorically and has proved it time and again by dint of her actions and achievements. New challenges thrill her, like participating in a beauty pageant.

The good thing about her is that in her quest to meet her calling she is not bitter about others, especially men. It’s not a battle against anyone, but for self-actualisation. In her case, it’s true to say that behind every successful woman there’s a man. Rajeev is full out in her support.

Her rise has been explained by a series of personal projects she has undertaken. Like getting comfortable with the English language. Also, pushing her body to do more. To be able to run a marathon is as much a mind thing as a body. She is an accomplished long-distance runner.

Her plate is full, is engaged in all kinds of projects, like taking tuitions of middle school children, and preparing with them for their exams as if her own children. Last heard, she was driving the daughter of her maid to a local doctor, and she was down with a fever for the past few days. Never misses exercising in an upmarket gym with glass walls that overlooks green Aravali.

To be able to change the world, one has to evolve .  To Geetanjali, evolving is synonymous with learning. ‘I’m always eager to learn, be it a new skill, any sport or an activity that makes me joyous,’ she explains. And that she comes over a hurdle paves way for other women like her, who are dreaming of a ‘bigger, bolder future.’

Blessed with insatiable energy and zest for life, she does so many things but, strangely, doesn’t spread herself too thin. Despite tribulations, she nurtured the goodness in her. She does things for the love of fellow beings—compassion is the word. She likes to spend time at an old age home; lends her energy for the cause of environment—an active volunteer with the Save Aravali Trust.

She’s aged gracefully, or hasn’t, and gotten better at things. So, what is it that keeps her going, and ‘My motivation comes from this deep desire to challenge the limits placed on me by society.’ And most of these limitations are in your mind, if you think you can’t, you won’t. And if you think you can, things find a way to happen in most unexpected ways.

She will represent India in the NovaCosmos Worldwide Pageants, an international platform with the mission to go ‘beyond traditional beauty standards; we're here to empower and uplift women worldwide,’ says their website. This year the event will take place in Toronto, from 26 November to 1 December, and Geetanjali will be competing with contestants from 25 countries.

Participation will cost dearly, nevertheless she’s adamant. To cut costs, she will travel alone, on a shoestring, a week before the event, and fend for herself in an alien land. That’s admirable and brave given she has never flown across the seven seas. Though, she is seeking sponsorship, it is hard to come by. The door to success is always open to those who are willing to work hard. Geetanjali is a good example. So, please support her. She has a long way to go.