Aachal Chand believes making a positive impact is key to a healthy lifestyle

Being a teacher for four years at Boubale Primary School in Labasa will not be difficult to advocate on nurturing children through conservation initiatives, says Miss Civil Service Aachal Chand.

The 24-year-old, originally from Kelikoso, Macuata, is vying for the 2017 Miss Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North crown.

“The theme for this year’s festival is healthy environment and healthy people and I believe it all begins from children while they are at school,” the eldest of two siblings said.

“I am confident that I will be able to use the platform well with the learning experience I had at school and at the same time have some fun.”

How did you react when you were approached to be a contestant?

Miss Chand: I was really excited when I was approached by Ilai Volai of the Ministry of Education, Labasa office. I am aware that I need to work a little harder to achieve the goal I set for this year’s festival.

What motivated you to enter this year’s carnival?

Miss Chand: I used to follow up with queen contestants on television and on Facebook.

When I used to share with my friends and my sisters about me wanting to become a queen contestant one day, they then encouraged me to participate in the Friendly North Festival. Hence, I grabbed hold of the opportunity given to me.

Although I am quite nervous to talk publicly, I believe I can at least try my best to perform. So finally I decided to participate because its giving me an amazing platform to advocate on issues.

What are you looking forward to at the festival?

Miss Chand: I am looking forward to doing my best up on the stage and taking my advocacy messages across to the people.

Also, it is a time to learn from other contestants and make use of it in my teaching career because I am always dealing with children.

Hence, it will surely assist me to become a better person in future as well as to improve the standard of children’s environment through positive changes.

Has it ever crossed your mind while growing up that you would one day be a part of a beauty pageant?

Miss Chand: I always dreamt of it but didn’t realise that it would come true.

Who is your greatest inspiration by far? Why?

Miss Chand: My inspiration are my parents, Ramesh Chand and Sarojni Devi. My sister and I have been renting in Labasa, away from family because our home is very far. I work as a teacher and my sister is a nursing student. My parents are sugarcane farmers.

Just because we could live our dream they have been supporting us even though the distance separates us.

They are my strength. They have been there for us no matter what the situation is. Their hardwork and dedication inspires me to do better in life as I count myself lucky to have parents like them.

What would you like to take away with you from the festival?

Miss Chand: The mindset to make a positive impact within the hearts of my people. It is all about making a positive change in order to maintain a healthy environment and free from health problems.

Favourites

Food –  anything cooked by my mum

Song –  ikvaariaa v jayara

Movie – Golmaal 4

Quote – “Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another but by all means try something positive.”

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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