Harshala Shilotri: A 50 Year-Old Mum And Beauty Pageant Finalist

Harshala Shilotri, a 50-year-old mom will be walking down the ramp with oodles of confidence and elegance at the finale of Haut Monde Mrs. India Worldwide 2019, open for Indian married women between ages 23 to 50. The finale is scheduled to be held between October 10-20 in Halkidiki, Greece. She was selected from 25000 participants and is the oldest among the finalists.

Key Takeaways:

• Harshala Shilotri, a 50-year-old mom will walk down the ramp at the finale of Haut Monde Mrs. India Worldwide season 9.
• The contest is open for Indian married women, ages 23 to 50.
• She was selected out of 25000 participants and is the oldest among the finalists.
• Bengaluru based Harshala is a lawyer by vocation and a mother of two grown-up sons.

Why should we set an age limit to our aspirations? Many women in their 40s and 50s think that life is complete with what they are doing inside the house. - Harshala Shilhotri

Aspirations have no age-limit

The 50-years-old mom of two grown-up sons is based in Bengaluru and is a lawyer by vocation. Participating in a beauty pageant, Shilhotri has dismantled the patriarchal conventions that bind women to the barriers of motherhood and marriage. In an interview, Shilotri said, “Why should we set an age limit to our aspirations? Many women in their 40s and 50s think that life is complete with what they are doing inside the house. Now, I feel happy to see that many women, including my fellow participants who are mostly aged between 23 and 35 years, see me as an inspiration to follow their dreams.”

Support from sons and husband

Though barriers of patriarchy are ubiquitous in women’s lives, the defiance is more effective when it starts at home. Harshala Shilotri also runs a furniture shop with her husband at Kumara Park East and has two sons Arjun, 21-year-old and Aryan 17-year-old. She said that participating in a beauty pageant was a distant dream, until her husband and sons helped her in applying for it. She further said that her sons, who are busy in their studies, are far more enthusiastic about her finale. “They say it’s something special, and that not many children get to enjoy such moments in life,” said Shilotri.

Also Read: Meet Lt. Garima, A Former Beauty Pageant Winner Joins Indian Army

The journey so far

Harshala Shilotri also runs a furniture shop with her husband at Kumara Park East and has two sons Arjun, 21-year-old and Aryan 17-year-old.

A resident of Rajajinagar, Harshala Shilotri wanted to be an actress since her childhood.  She gave many stage performances and participated in various functions which helped her get rid of her stage fright. The confidence hence developed has helped her throughout the contest and brought her to the finale.

The whole journey till now has been a rich learning experience for her and which demanded hard work. "Grooming sessions were held by leading salon brands and stylists. We also attended sessions on being active on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, which I once believed were a waste of time. I have got an opportunity to express my views and opinions to a large audience,” said Harshala.

Rudrani Kumari is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.

Also Read: Mum Of Two, Sunita Kumari, Quits Teaching To Qualify As Chopper Pilot