After Manushi Chillar brought India, the country’s first international crown in many years (particularly that of ‘Miss World’), another Haryana beauty has made her mark on a cross-continental platform.
Nishtha Dudeja, has become the first Indian ever to win the title of ‘Miss Deaf Asia’ at the 18th edition of Miss and Mister Deaf World, which was held in Prague this past week.
Putting behind their “different abilities” and aiming for the top title, beauties from various continents participated in the annual competition, but it was the 23 year old Panipat girl who managed to win the prestigious title of ‘Miss Deaf Asia.’
What a moment! It was overwhelming. It’s certainly something I will cherish forever! It was an amazing night. For d first time, India won any crown at Miss and Mister Deaf World pageant. I’m happy that I won dis crown for India.#NishthaDudeja #MissDeafAsia2018 #MissDeafIndia2018 pic.twitter.com/tn6txUSpWR
— Nishtha Dudeja (@Dudeja_Nishtha) October 20, 2018
“I want to thank my parents for their consistent support who were always there to help me. Now I want to help the deprived people even at the cost of my comfort. I believe that the differently abled people don’t need pity. They only deserve equal opportunities to prove themselves,” she was quoted telling after her win.
Nishtha, who’s always been a bright student in school and has graduated in the field of commerce from Delhi University’s Venkateshwara college, never thought of her ‘disability’ as something that could stop her from pursuing her ambitions. With support from her parents, the beauty has been learning Judo from the age of 7 – also participating in a number of tournaments during her school days.
It is heartening to note that a Diyang Daughter of India Nishtha ( Miss Deaf Asia 2018 ) has brought laurels for our country in a Beauty Pageant. I wish her success in her career. pic.twitter.com/6IBAuOJvZq
— Dr. Thawarchand Gehlot (@TCGEHLOT) October 8, 2018
And that is not all. Nishtha is also a pro tennis player and in fact, participated in the 2013 Deaflympics and also in the 2015 World Deaf Tennis Championship..
Presently working as the brand ambassador of Sivantos (a leading manufacturer of hearing aids), Nishtha also remained determined to pursue her dream of becoming a beauty pageant winner.
And here she is…
Back at her home, her parents and her family members couldn’t be more proud of her.
Her father, Ved Prakash Dudeja – who’s a Chief Engineer in the Northern Railways, praised the 23 year old’s mother for all the hard work she has done over the years to help her pursue her dreams.
“We were heartbroken when we came to know that our child will not be able to hear lifelong but we did everything to make our daughter’s life a successful one.” – her mother, Punam Dudeja, was quoted telling.