With Mother’s day coming up we take time out to talk to 37 year old Mrs Rose Rajdeep Kaur Marok who has reached the finals of Mrs India UK. Rajdeep is a working mother of 2 and runs a successful business with her husband in Solihull. Her we take time out and talk to this amazing mother.
- Thank you for taking the time to Interview with us. Tell us about yourself.
Well as you have already given a beautiful introduction, I’ll just add few more things. I was born and brought up in India. I have spent most of my life in boarding schools in India and that taught me to be independent. I am happily married and have very supportive and caring husband. My family is my biggest strength. My beautiful 12 year old daughter always keeps me grounded as she is very honest and critical about everything. My 9 year old son is a charmer, he loves the attention. He is the baby of the family.
- To our readers how did you find out about Mrs India UK?
I first found out about this pageant through a friend of mine who was one of the contestants last year. Then I searched bit more on the internet. My friend highly recommended Mrs India UK as she felt she grew as a person throughout the whole process and found this experience very rewarding.
- What makes Mrs India UK different from other competitions?
Mrs India UK aims to redefine the myth of beauty by being one of the pioneer platforms in United Kingdom. It is the first ever platform dedicated to Indian/Indian ethnicity married women residing in UK, this also includes a British Indians who are here or currently abroad. Being one of the first trademark pageant, it encourages empowered women to be a part of this platform to advocate various social causes, till date they have supported multiple charities by raising awareness and funds, some of which are Allergy awareness campaigns, British Heart Foundation, Environment safety campaigns, Girl Child education, domestic violence and many more in UK and also India. The uniqueness and strength of this platform is the quality of Mentors and bespoke pageant programme that no other pageant currently has. It includes curated session related to pageant and beyond pageant including Stage presence, public speaking, life skills and personality development trainings and many more. Apart from this, it is one of the first pageant with maximum International opportunities with top pageants such as Mrs Universe, Mrs International, Mrs Earth etc., and its achievements Internationally by winners add to the credibility of the platform. Mrs India UK also enables many individual opportunities for winners and non-winners throughout the year which is commendable.
- What inspired you to enter the pageant?
I think every girl dreams of getting dressed up and wearing a crown. So, I had the dream in the back of my mind somewhere. But My daughter was my biggest inspiration in entering this pageant. As a growing girl she is going through a lot of body image issues(that she is not tall enough, she is too skinny) and I wanted to show her that beauty is not all about how you look, its about who you are as person.
- Please tell us about the process you have had to go through to get to the finals
To get to finals we all had to fill in a lengthy application form and had to send our pictures. Then we were invited for the interviews with a panel. The best thing was that our partners were welcomed to join us for the interview. As they wanted to make sure that we have family support and if partners have any questions that can be answered too. After that i had to wait for few months while they did their evaluation and then I got the letter by post to say that I have been selected as one of the finalist
- What will the judges be judging you in during the competition?
In this pageant one of the most wonderful judging concept is that there are various rounds of evaluation. The areas of competition are code of conduct, fitness, photoshoot, talent, national costume, catwalk, presentations, stage presence, public speaking etc., and this allows every finalist to perform in various areas but also allows finalists to balance out in their strengths where they can score high. Often people think judging happens on the finale day but judging starts from day one to look out for the best amongst the best to represent this platform. The finale day is more of celebration of the entire journey with your family and friends and it’s the crowning day with only few rounds to make it comfortable for each finalist.it will be all be all about stage presence, Catwalk, gown and question answers.
- Which part of the competition is your favourite?
My favourite part is all the training sessions we have had in between, where there is no competition and all 28 of us are like sisters. Some girls are great cook and they would bring lunch for everyone. I am going to miss that. I really enjoyed talent round too, it was like a party and got to watch so many talented girls on stage and we went for a holi party after that which was amazing. I have not played holi for last 15 years so this is something I’ll never forget.
- Which part of the competition would you say are most difficult?
I think most difficult part is to actually to convince yourself to take part In this competition and finding time to even do something for yourself. Actual competition itself is a very enjoyable experience.
- What will be your onstage strategy to win the judges over?
My on stage strategy is same as my life strategy be yourself and be honest to yourself and have fun, Rest will follow.
- Behind the scenes competition is a whirlwind. What has been your nerve wracking moment during the competition?
Until now it has all been plain sailing but as the finale is nearly around the corner, and the nerves are building. Being on stage in front of everyone, your friends and family, my kids will be there, that is something giving me goose pumps. But at the same time, it’s very exciting too.
- We want to hear in your own words how do you feel when you hear you have got to the next stage and had reached the finals?
As I am already in final but to win the final and have that sash and crown will be an unforgettable moment. To be able to represent UK internationally would be a cherry on top. I can already see the big smile on my kids’ faces. It would give me an incredible sense of achievement to be recognised and appreciated by a group of my peers.
- What does the Mrs India UK crown and sash symbolize to you?
India UK sash and crown symbolizes responsibility to me. We all wear an invisible crown in our lifetime and carry on with our responsibilities but while wearing this crown and sash my responsibilities are not limited to myself and my family and friends, they are extended to all humanity. Mrs India UK sash and crown symbolise to me as humility, humanity and care.
15)How did competing in Miss India UK help you as working mother of 2 with a business?
Its not been easy and like I have said before I couldn’t have done it without the support of my husband. I guess competing in Mrs India UK has introduced me to myself. In our daily routine we play a role of wife, mother, daughter, daughter in law but we tend to forget me, myself in there. That Is what I have done while competing In Mrs India UK, rediscovered myself.
16)What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
I would like to be the change to make this world a little better place for my children and the future generation. I would like to leave behind a teaching to my kids to have humility and be a kind human. We all came into this world to serve a purpose, find that purpose and go for it. Live for today not for yesterday or tomorrow.
- One of the sections in Mrs India UK is on “Inner Beauty Crusade”. Tell us more about this crusade and how we can cultivate inner beauty.
Inner beauty is the biggest strength as a human we all have. Outer beauty can be seen by a person’s appearance, but inner beauty is shown through our character. To cultivate our inner beauty firstly believe in yourself and be positive about yourself. Remember being positive and confident can easily be interpreted as being arrogant, there is a subtle difference find that difference and your inner beauty will shine through your character.
- You have received amazing support from your family, as a sikh women how does that feel?
My family near and far have been very supportive. I believe I am a very lucky woman. Especially coming from a Sikh family where beauty and pageants can still be frowned upon. My parents and my in laws have been there for me. In fact, my mum dad has been sharing all my post with their friends. My husband has been looking after kids while I have been going for the sessions almost every weekend for last 3 months. As most of the woman go for their career and discover themselves first then have family. I have had family and career now going on discovering myself. I could have never done this without the amazing support of my family and my friends.
- Who are the people who inspire you to do what you do, and what are the most important principles/lessons you have learnt from them?
Growing up my biggest strength, inspiration has been my Dad and I have learnt from him to be positive and not to give up. My husband has been my inspiration and my strength for last 15 years and taught me that hard work pays off. And now I learn every day from my kids, their innocence, and their courage teaches me a new lesson each and every day. One of my inspiration has been Princess Dianna, as she used her position as a springboard to help others.
