Reena Sobti

• Dehradun

• A Brief about yourself and how you describe your own Personality and Persona.

My name is Reena Sobti. I worked with LIC for 37 years. Currently I am retired and a pensioner focusing on living all my hobbies. I would say that this is my second innings. I would take a moment to thank LIC from where I retired at the post of Administrative Officer. Now, life begins again here when I learnt driving at 40, swimming at 50 and modelling at 60. Calling myself a model, actor and dancer feels like a milestone achieved. About my personality and persona– I am a very kind and disciplined person. Rest I have my full faith in god– I believe that I am a good person and hence god will do great with me as he creates destiny.

• Your Achievements that make you feel high.

This question takes me down the memory lane when I won the ‘Best Athlete’ Award in college days. This gave me a boost to do more, explore more and learn more. Later I was a part of the RD Camp and a Senior Under Officer in the NCC. If we are talking about achievements then my long 37 years of work life is also an achievement. Doing Beauty Pageants gives me new confidence when I can say that my first title that brought me to the ramp was ‘Ms. Body Beautiful’ at the Peach Event. Now, this keeps pouring in when I won ‘Ms. Intellectual’ at Curvy Glamour and then a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the Nari Shakti Event. Lastly I would say that being a daughter, wife, mother and friend— acing multiple roles is also an achievement for a woman.

• Define the true beauty.

True Beauty is not in your face, not in the makeup you do or how you look. True beauty is in the mind, true beauty is to know when to speak and when not to speak, true beauty is the smile on your face, true beauty is a good mental health because physical and mental health is indeed wealth, true beauty is your self-control and discipline, true beauty is in your kindness and not giving up.

• What makes a complete, healthy and happy family for you?

A complete, healthy and happy family is made by the people in that family. Its not the house, its not the interior, its not the walls— but the people that make a complete, healthy and happy family. Children that make every moment count with their laughter, the endless love and guidance that a grandparent gives, the comfort that a mother provides and the hardwork of a father is the core of complete and healthy family. Your bond, your unity and your strength— this is family.

• What is your favourite Idea of Holidaying?

I come from Dehradun so my favourite idea of holidaying would be in the hills anyday. I love being near nature, I love when the fresh air touches my face, I love when the birds make various sounds every morning, I love taking sunbaths in winter. Moreover, I also like the beach— mujhe chattanon se takrate pani ki awaaz bohot pasand hai.

• Why you are participating in Mrs India Queen of Substance?

Sometimes because of financial problems and sometimes because of your job you do not get a chance or say the time to pursue a lot of things in life. We are 5 sisters and a brother and the only working member in our family was my father, he was in the army, my mother was a homemaker. In our school and college days, we used to ignore a lot of things that we wanted to do due to this. But now, post retirement I have the time and the money to pursue the things I love. I want to learn singing, I am learning dance and I have been going to beauty pageants. I am living my post retirement life to the fullest and my resolution this year is head to toe self care. I am here to win the crown and I will work hard for the same.

• What bothers you most about what is happening in the country today?

The biggest problem of our country according to me is illiteracy and lack of employment opportunities. I want that more employment opportunities are created as per everyone’s need so that the youngsters are engaged in some productive work and not get into wrong things. Moreover, I wish for peace within my country and other countries across the world because war empties a country’s soul. Also I wish that our country accomplishes its dream of becoming a developed country by 2047. Main maanti hun ki jaisa vyavhaar hum apne saath chahte hain vaisa hi humein doosron ke saath karna chahiye and we must have lots of gratitude for the country that has made us who we are. Humein hamari pehchaan iss desh se mili hai toh agar main kabhi bhi iss desh ke liye kuch kar paayi toh peeche nahi hatoongi.

• The Quote or saying that encourages you?

There are two-three quotes that have inspired me since childhood and I also see them in my personality. They are- First one by Sohanlal Dwivedi- “Lehron se darr kar nauka paar nahin hoti, koshish karne valon ki kabhi haar nahi hoti.” The second one is- “Just Do It!” Third one is- “Look for opportunities even in problems.”

• What is true “Sportsmanship” for you?

True sportsmanship for me is to work hard for one goal together as a team and don’t stop until you achieve it. For example, ‘why do we watch cricket together without thinking about who is sitting beside us and do we have any grudge with that person?’ It is because we look at the dedication of the players. Sometimes the decision of the match depends on the last ball and we put our complete faith in that one player. That is true sportsmanship. To trust one person for the entire country ignoring any previous grudges, keeping aside our personal opinions.

• If you were selected as a Charity Ambassador what value addition would you like to make for our Society and how?

If I were a Charity Ambassador then I would not eliminate all kinds of discrimination or enmity and give first priority to how I can help people for any kind of work that they come up with. I would do whatever best I can do for the people and use funds in the right and judicious way. During my days in LIC, whenever we used to get the news of any tragedy, be it Kedarnath or Pulwama we used to first reach out with financial support and did all other paperwork later. I would first understand the problems of the common man and keep my country and society first.