Introduction
Sargam Koushal, a teacher and model from Jammu, India, has made the country proud by winning the prestigious title of Mrs World 2022. She is the second Indian woman to achieve this feat after Aditi Govitrikar, who won the crown in 2001. Sargam competed with 63 contestants from different countries and emerged victorious at the grand finale held in Las Vegas, USA, on December 18, 2022. In this blog, we will take a look at her inspiring journey from a teacher to a beauty queen.
Table of Contents
Early life and education
Sargam Koushal was born on September 17, 1990, to GS Kaushal and Meena Kaushal in Jammu and Kashmir. She is the daughter of GS Kaushal, a retired Chief Manager of Bank of India, and Reema Khajuria, a homemaker. She has a younger brother named Manthal Kaushal. She finished her studies at Saint Mary’s Presentation Convent Senior Secondary School in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu. After that, she graduated from Women’s College, Jammu, and later obtained a master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Jammu. She also has a B.Ed. degree from Government B.Ed. College Jammu.
Career and marriage
Sargam Koushal met Adi Koushal, an Indian Navy Officer, in 2015 and fell in love with him. They dated for two years and got married in 2018. Sargam Koushal moved to Visakhapatnam with her husband and continued her career as a teacher, where her husband Aditya Manohar Sharma, a lieutenant commander in the Indian Navy, was posted. She also discovered her interest in modeling and beauty pageants. She participated in various local and national contests and won many titles and accolades. She decided to take part in Mrs India World 2022, a prestigious platform for married women to showcase their talent, personality, and social cause.
Passion for pageantry
Sargam Koushal always had a passion for modeling and beauty pageants, but she never got a chance to pursue it due to her family and professional commitments. However, in 2022, she decided to take a leap of faith and participate in the Mrs India pageant, which is a platform for married women to showcase their talent, beauty, and personality. She underwent rigorous training and grooming sessions with famous pageantry personalities like ramp walk specialist Kavita Kharayat, hair and makeup expert Cherag Bambboat, and fitness and diet experts Jinni Shaikh and Dr. Varun Katyal. She also worked hard on her communication skills, general knowledge, and confidence.
Winning Mrs India 2022
Sargam Koushal won the title of Mrs India 2022 in June 2022 at the pageant held by Mrs India Inc. She impressed the judges and the audience with her stunning looks, elegant walk, and eloquent answers. She also won the sub-titles of Mrs Photogenic and Mrs Beautiful Smile. She received the crown from the outgoing Mrs India 2021, Shweta Singh. She dedicated her victory to her parents, husband, and teachers, and expressed her gratitude to her mentors and supporters. She also said that she was proud to represent India at the international level and hoped to make the country proud.
Winning Mrs World 2022
Sargam Koushal represented India at the Mrs World 2022 pageant, which was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, from December 14 to December 18, 2022. She competed with 63 contestants from different countries, who were judged on various parameters such as beauty, intelligence, personality, talent, and social awareness. Sargam showcased her talent by performing a classical dance on the song “Mohe Rang Do Laal” from the movie Bajirao Mastani. She also wore a beautiful pink gown designed by Bhawna Rao for the evening gown round. She also participated in various activities and events during the pageant, such as charity visits, photoshoots, interviews, and cultural exchanges.
Sargam Koushal made it to the top 10 finalists, along with Mrs Polynesia, Mrs Canada, Mrs USA, Mrs South Africa, Mrs Philippines, Mrs Malaysia, Mrs Colombia, Mrs Sri Lanka, and Mrs Vietnam. She then advanced to the top 5, along with Mrs Polynesia, Mrs Canada, Mrs USA, and Mrs South Africa. She faced the final question round, where she was asked about her definition of success. She answered that success is not about achieving fame or money, but about being happy and content with oneself and making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Sargam Koushal was crowned as the Mrs World 2022 by the outgoing Mrs World 2021, Shaylyn Ford of the USA. She also received a cash prize of $10,000 and a diamond ring. She was congratulated by the first runner-up Mrs Polynesia and the second runner-up Mrs Canada, as well as the other contestants and the organizers. She was overwhelmed with emotions and tears of joy as she thanked God, her family, her country, and her fans for their love and support. She said that she was honored to win the crown and that she would use her platform to spread awareness about women empowerment, education, and social causes.
Reactions and accolades
Sargam Koushal received a warm welcome and a grand reception when she returned to India on December 20, 2022. She was greeted by her husband, her parents, her brother, and her friends at the airport. She also met the media and the fans, who showered her with flowers, gifts, and praises. She thanked everyone for their wishes and said that she was happy to bring the crown back to India after 21 years.
Sargam Koushal also received congratulatory messages and accolades from various celebrities, politicians, and personalities from different fields. Some of them are:
- Aditi Govitrikar, the actor-model who won the Mrs World crown in 2001, also shared a congratulatory message on the unverified page of the Mrs World pageant. She wrote, “Congratulations Sargam Koushal for winning Mrs World 2022. You have made India proud. You are an inspiration to all the married women who want to pursue their dreams. Keep shining and keep smiling.”
- Priyanka Chopra, the actor-producer who won the Miss World crown in 2000, also congratulated Sargam on her Instagram story. She posted a picture of Sargam with the crown and wrote, “What a proud moment for India. Congratulations Sargam Koushal for winning Mrs World 2022. You are a true beauty with brains and heart. You have shown the world that Indian women are strong, confident, and capable of achieving anything they set their minds to. You go girl!”
- Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, also tweeted his appreciation for Sargam. He wrote, “Sargam Koushal has brought glory to India by winning the Mrs World 2022 title. She has demonstrated her talent, grace, and charisma on the global stage. She has also highlighted the importance of women empowerment and education in our society. I congratulate her on her remarkable achievement and wish her all the best for her future endeavors.”
Future plans and aspirations
Sargam Koushal has said that she wants to continue her journey as a teacher and a model, and also explore other opportunities in the fields of acting, hosting, and social work. She has said that she wants to use her title and fame to inspire and empower other women, especially married women, who face various challenges and stereotypes in their lives. She has said that she wants to be a role model and a mentor for them, and help them realize their potential and pursue their passions.
She has also said that she wants to work for the causes of education, health, environment, and women’s rights, and collaborate with various organizations and initiatives that are working for these causes. She has also expressed her desire to represent India at the Mrs Universe pageant in 2023, and hopes to win another crown for the country.
Advocacies of Sargam Koushal
1. Education
Sargam Koushal is a firm believer in the power of education to transform lives and empower women. She herself is a highly educated woman, with a master’s degree in English Literature and a B.Ed. degree from the University of Jammu. She also worked as a teacher at KC International School in Visakhapatnam, where she taught English and Social Studies to students from grades 6 to 10.
Sargam Koushal has also been involved in various initiatives to promote education among underprivileged children and women. She has volunteered with Teach for India, a non-profit organization that recruits and trains young professionals to teach in low-income schools. She has also supported the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, a government scheme that aims to improve the status of girls by providing them access to education, health care, and protection.
Sargam Koushal believes that education is the key to unlocking the potential of women and girls, and that every woman deserves the opportunity to pursue her dreams and aspirations. She believes that learning is like a superpower that can help you make a positive impact on the world. Education is like having wings that allow you to soar to new heights. She also thinks that every girl has the right to education from the moment she is born.
Sargam Koushal is also a strong advocate of education, especially for girls. She believes that education is the key to unlock the potential and opportunities for everyone, and that every child deserves the right to quality education. She has been involved with the NGO Pratham, which is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in India, working to provide basic literacy and numeracy to millions of children and youth.
Pratham also runs various programs to enhance the learning outcomes and employability of the students, such as the Pratham Digital Initiative, the Pratham Institute, and the Pratham Open School. Sargam has visited the Pratham learning centers and schools, where she interacted with the students and teachers, and encouraged them to pursue their dreams and aspirations. She also donated books, stationery, and laptops to the Pratham centers, and helped them in their online teaching and learning activities. Sargam said that she is proud to be a part of Pratham, and that she wants to contribute to their vision of “every child in school and learning well”.
Sargam Koushal is not only a beautiful and talented woman, but also a kind and generous one. She has been using her fame and influence to make a positive difference in the lives of many people, especially children and women.
She has been supporting various NGOs that are working for the causes that she cares about, and has been inspiring others to join her in her social and charity work. She has been living up to her motto of “be the change you wish to see in the world”, and has been proving that beauty is more than skin deep. She is truly a role model and a leader for the society, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
2. Environment
Sargam Koushal is also an environmentalist who cares deeply about the planet and its resources. She is aware of the challenges posed by climate change, pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, and she advocates for sustainable development and conservation. She has participated in various campaigns and events to raise awareness and action on environmental issues, such as the Clean India Mission, the World Environment Day, the Earth Hour, and the Green India Challenge.
Sargam Koushal has also adopted a green lifestyle, by reducing her carbon footprint, using eco-friendly products, recycling waste, and planting trees. She encourages others to do the same, and to be mindful of their impact on the environment. She’s telling us that we’ve got just one planet to call home, and it’s our job to look after it. We need to be good citizens and take care of our surroundings. Essentially, we should be the positive change we wish to see in the world.
3. Mental Health
Sargam Koushal is also a mental health advocate who understands the importance of emotional well-being and happiness. She has faced many challenges and hardships in her life, such as losing her mother at a young age, coping with depression, and overcoming self-doubt. She has also witnessed the stigma and discrimination faced by people who suffer from mental health issues, and the lack of awareness and support available for them. She has therefore decided to use her voice and influence to spread positivity and hope, and to break the silence and shame around mental health.
Sargam Koushal has also been instrumental in creating and supporting platforms and programs that offer mental health education, counseling, and therapy to people who need it. She has collaborated with organizations such as the Live Love Laugh Foundation, the Mental Health Foundation of India, and the Mind Matters Initiative.
She has also shared her own personal stories and experiences with mental health, and how she overcame them, to inspire and motivate others who are going through similar struggles. She believes that taking care of your mind is just as crucial as looking after your body. It’s fine to not feel okay sometimes. It’s perfectly okay to ask for support. Feel free to share how you’re feeling. Remember, you’re not alone. You’re not weak; in fact, you’re strong. You’re beautiful just the way you are. You are more than enough.
4. Children Battling Cancer
One of the causes that Sargam Koushal is passionate about is helping children who are fighting cancer. She has been supporting the NGO Cankids Kidscan, which is a national society dedicated to change for childhood cancer in India. Cankids provides holistic care and support to children with cancer and their families, from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment and aftercare. Sargam has visited the Cankids centers and hospitals, where she interacted with the children and their parents, and motivated them to stay positive and hopeful.
She also participated in various fundraising events and awareness campaigns organized by Cankids, such as the Go Gold India campaign, which aimed to light up iconic monuments in gold to mark the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. Sargam said that she feels honored and humbled to be associated with Cankids, and that she wants to use her platform as Mrs. World to spread more awareness and raise more funds for this noble cause.
5. Women Empowerment
Another cause that Sargam Koushal is committed to is empowering women, especially those who are from underprivileged backgrounds or facing domestic violence. She has been working with the NGO Shakti Vahini, which is a national level voluntary organization that works for the protection of women and children from violence, trafficking, and exploitation. Shakti Vahini provides legal aid, counseling, shelter, and rehabilitation to the survivors of violence, and also conducts advocacy and sensitization programs to prevent and combat these issues.
Sargam has visited the Shakti Vahini shelter homes, where she met and inspired the women and girls who have faced abuse and trauma. She also joined the Shakti Vahini team in their outreach activities, such as distributing sanitary pads, masks, and food to the women in slums and villages. Sargam said that she admires the courage and resilience of these women, and that she wants to support them in their journey of healing and empowerment.
Conclusion
Sargam Koushal is a woman of substance, who has proven that beauty is not just skin deep, but also comes from within. She is a role model and a leader, who has used her crown and her platform to advocate for causes that are close to her heart, and to make a positive impact on the world.
She is a true embodiment of the Mrs World motto, “Beauty with a Purpose”. She says that I’m thrilled to be Mrs. World 2022 and proud to represent India, showcasing its rich culture, values, and diversity. I feel honored for this opportunity and am eager to fulfill my duties. I’ll also keep pursuing my passions and causes, dedicated to serving both my country and humanity.
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