Shazmeen’s Got Miss Fiji Pageant On Her Mind
The 2018 Miss Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North, Naima Shazmeen is excited at the thought of representing Labasa at the Miss Fiji Pageant this year.
Sponsored by Labasa Divisional Hospital, the 23-year-old pharmacist, said she was astonished to win the Miss Friendly North Festival crown because she saw that the other 11 contestants were good in many ways.
“I believed just being true to myself and being grateful for whatever was provided to me by the committee from the hospital,” Miss Shazmeen said.
“My inspiration is my mother, Nazmeen Nisha, who has been also like my father for 10 years and I dedicate this win to her.
“Without her blessings I wouldn’t have been wearing this crown.
“I also like to thank all the staff of Labasa Hospital and my colleagues at the pharmacy for their support and encouragement.
“There was an audition in the hospital and one of the pharmacists pushed me to participate and out of a few candidates I was selected,” the only daughter in the family said.
Miss Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North Miss Labasa Divisional Hospital Naima Shazmeen at Subrail Park in Labasa on August 25,2018. Photo: Shratika Naidu
“So without my colleagues’ encouragement I wouldn’t have been able to stand among you during the week-long pageant.
“I believe that I am the first pharmacist to win this crown and I am so happy to set a benchmark.”
Her words of encouragement to young women if given an opportunity to join such pageant is to take up the challenge because it will help to build self confidence.
The other advice that she would like to share with all women is “not to rush into marriage early”.
“Instead choose to live your life to the fullest and travel around the world because once you get married you will be committed and maybe soon have a family and life changes.”
Her mother, Ms Nisha, 47, of Korowiri, Labasa, said she was proud of her daughter.
“It has been six months since she started work and when she gets paid she hands over her bank card to me and tells me to buy whatever I wanted,” said the mother of two children as tears welled up.
“She even started doing maintenance of our house.
“All my years of struggle in raising her and her elder brother has paid off.
“Her presence has changed my life and filled with happiness.”
“If her late father was alive he would have been so proud of her. Unfortunately, during a fishing trip near Levuka island he went missing in 2007,” she said.
“We were living on the island since 2006 after my husband, who was then a Police officer got transferred. After the misfortune we returned to Labasa.
“As a mother I feel happy, blessed and proud to have daughter with such nature.
“To all mothers, my advice is that never ignore your children. If you are a widow, I believe God has already given you strength to play the role of a father also. So never give up in life.”
Her son is working at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa in Natadola and couldn’t make it to the festival.
Edited by Percy Kean
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