I am a dashing woman brought up in an army home. My father served in the army hence my childhood has been a daring, challenging one! I moved from city to city, changing schools, making new friends and adapting to the life of hills, small towns, villages and metro cities!
I changed schools twelve times and still managed to come top in my 12th grade. I even came top in my degree and I have been a merit holder throughout. I was granted a scholarship for excellence and I am a postgraduate in Economics from Jaipur.
I got married at an early age, all of 22-years-old and became a mother-of-two at 25.
My career started when I was 28-years-old, when I expressed my desire to get into the modelling world. Fit as a fiddle, I took the advertising industry by storm. The day I submitted my portfolio at a top agency in Delhi, I got my first advertising campaign before I even reached home. Having modelled for nearly 400 campaigns, music videos and appearances in movies, I have been a successful face.
I have also hosted many talk shows, addressing social issues. My journey to work for the society and Mother India had begun.
Tell us about any current projects or initiatives you wish to promote
Nine years ago, I launched my NGO – Tree for life. The main initiative of the NGO is to bring back the forests. It works on riverbank restoration, cleanliness awareness and drives plus tree plantation.
The NGO works with a majority of youths because I believe that the youth are power of tomorrow. I have worked with college kids, school children, children with special needs, slum dwellers and urban colonies to bring about massive awareness and action.
What has been your biggest challenge in achieving your success?
Being a family orientated person my main challenge has been balancing home and family. Away at shoots my concern was if my children had eaten well, were they ready for their school tests and my husband eaten his meal. It was quite a handful; especially with two dogs added to the family.
I feel I did a decent job though. My two daughters were top of the school and all-rounders through and through. Now the girls are studying abroad and I have the leniency of time. My day begins with prayers and is filled with work projects, meetings and TV shows.
I am also very active on TV debates concerning any topic, as I am well read and politically savvy. I love my work and I have been invited to the US and Bhutan with a delegation to speak for women empowerment. I have shared the platform with many women achievers globally.
What has been your greatest achievement personally?
Though bringing up two successful girls has been my biggest victory, addressing a forum for women empowerment at Los Angeles has been a landmark in my journey. Also, talking to the King of Bhutan and meeting with the Prime Minister and representing India was a great high too.
My campaign – Green Delhi, Clean Delhi with Times of India was a raving success and the Economic Times gave the project good coverage too.
I have received twelve awards for my work and contribution to society. This year, I was awarded the SAMAJ RATAN – Lions Club and Rajasthan Academy and PARYAVARAN RATAN – Shri Shyam Jaju ji.
I am an honest orator and my articles on issues related to society appear in newspapers and magazines.
If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you be doing?
I think I am cut out to do what I am doing. I have loved glamour all my life. God has been kind that for 16 years I have been in front of the camera, in the limelight. Then the grey cells also gained an opportunity with TV debates and political affiliations. I work neutrally with all parties though. Compassion comes naturally to me, so social work and uplifting are part of my cause.
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
When I was growing up women leaders like Margret Thatcher and Indira Gandhi inspired me. Now Oprah Winfrey and Ms Sheela dixit ji back home, as a very successful three times CM of Delhi.
I am my own inspiration – I want to beat myself at my work and am in no competition with anybody.
What does the future hold for you?
I see myself doing great meaningful work for India and the world as a whole. Also, I want to be part of politics so that the mission of a progressive, female-orientated leadership becomes real.
Website: kavitaashok.com
