Watch: How Niha Sarkar Owns Vitiligo To Redefine Beauty Standards

Niha Sarkar, a vitiligo model and influencer, faced immense challenges from a young age due to her skin condition. Diagnosed at just five, she endured years of bullying and societal rejection, which led her to hide herself away.

In a candid conversation with SheThePeople, Niha Sarkar shares how, with unwavering support from her family and her own determination, she embraced self-love and confidence. She pursued her passion for modelling, challenging beauty norms, and inspiring others with her authenticity. And today, she stands proud of her unique skin, using her platform to empower others to love themselves just as they are. 

How Niha Sarkar Is Embracing Vitiligo To Redefine Beauty Standards

"I was diagnosed with vitiligo skin at the age of 5 years old. It was only by the age of 13 that I started realising that my skin was different. People would make fun of me when I stepped out of my dance classes. They would call me an untouchable. It hurt so much that I started hiding myself and stopped going out completely. But my family stood with me like a rock, which made a lot of difference. By the time I was in college, I had learnt the art of ignorance and self-love.

This led to a boost in my confidence to face the world with my head held high. I used to follow a beauty pageant, and at the same time, I saw one of my friends doing modelling in college. I asked her if she could help me. Being a kathak dancer made it easier for me, as I had a good figure and stance already. I did my first group photo shoot in 2018 and received a lot of applause. This gave me the courage to participate in a beauty pageant in 2019. I was in the top five finalists.

My motto has always been to show my real self, and I never wanted to hide my vitiligo skin with any kind of makeup. When I began this career, my family took some time to completely accept my choice. It was a little against their mindset, but with the passing of time, they understood my choice and gave me complete support.

My journey hasn't been easy since my childhood days. I was constantly trolled, but I also loved social media for showing my real self. But it was looking up to models like Winnier Harlow that gave me real confidence. She became my inspiration to raise awareness about this in our country.

I dedicated my efforts to being a role model for all others like me out there. So they can live their lives freely without covering their bodies or feeling less because it is your uniqueness that makes you beautiful. It's been a journey to fall in love with myself. It wasn’t easy, but I am glad I have learnt to be proud of my skin, and so should you.”

All this while, I have learnt to always love yourself. Never let the world decide who you are; instead, make them see what you feel about yourself. Stay proud of your individuality."