A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.

This is what Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North queen contestant Arti Chand, 19, believes.

Currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree at University of the South Pacific, Ms Chand is one of the young women vying for this year’s Queen’s crown.

Ms Chand, sponsored by Rotary Club of Labasa, said she always dreamt of being a Queen contestant since her childhood. This has motivated her to be a participant in this year’s pageant.

She said preparations for the week-long pageant were going well as she tried to manage her time around the clock.

“I have my family who are heping to prepare me for the Friendly North week and I am really happy to have them by my side from day one,” she said.

“Due to the fact that I have a whole day at school where classes are back-to-back and then prepare for the festival. It is challenging, but is a good experience,” she said.

However, she said, the most exciting things about being a Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North contestant was learning a great deal, meeting new people and sharing ideas with them.

“Another exciting thing would be to learn issues and advocacies that my fellow contestants are advocating and forming new bonds.”

Ms Chand will be advocating  ‘Save our soul from salt, oil and sugar’.

“Fiji has the highest rate death of diabetes in the world with 188 of 100,000 fatalities being attributed to the disease.

“And Fijians of Indian descent were more likely to suffer from the disease, says Fiji’s Ministry of Health, highlighting that one in three Fijian adults have diabetes.

“Individuals are responsible for their own health and it needs to be promoted to each individual.

“More and more people are losing their limbs and this is because of the uncontrolled blood pressure and uncontrolled sugar levels.

She listed Oprah Winfrey as her greatest inspiration.

“Some of things Ms Winfrey has taught is me is doing the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment, own it,” she said.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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