"Call me stereotype but an open approach towards drugs and sex is a big NO"- Malvika Subba

Profession: Media, Sales and marketing manager

 

Nick name (S): Pinky, Malvi, Maa, Vika, Mavu

 

It's surprising how life unfolds and when you look back you simply can't believe that so many wonderful things happened to you! Same is the case with me. I was shy, geeky, tomboyish and a timid kid, but still, deep down I knew that one day I was going to make it big. I believed that I would stand out and get noticed and then Miss Nepal happened. Life changed drastically, there were major transformation in my life but I am still Malvika, the simple girl who always believed in herself.

 

People ask me whether being Miss Nepal changed my life. It would be an understatement if I say 'No' because being Miss Nepal shaped the horizon of my life, made me more confident and exposed me to manifold opportunities and surprisingly even after eight years of being crowned people still address me as 'Miss Nepal'.

 

The celebrity tag is no sweet candy! It requires a lot of patience, determination and confidence to handle fame. It was hard for me in the beginning to handle the sudden attention from so many peoplebut I knew I had to deal with it. Every second I told myself that no matter what, I have to deal with it, but I would never change the person that I am! This really helped me stay grounded, as the celebrity status never revamped the true ME!

 

In the public eye being a celebrity may seem to be all glitz and glamour but believe me the celebrity tag comes with a huge responsibility. "Sometimes you are responsible for people you do not know, everyone listens to you, seeks inspiration from you and no matter what, you need to be responsible in the forefront".

 

My work is not only of a media person but also as an active advocate for women, children and young people's right providing them aspiration and hope for a better tomorrow. My involvements in various advocacy campaigns have made me realize that 'Empowerment' is a strong word but the bleak reality that graces one's eyes tells a different story. I have been actively participating in various advocacy programs from HIV and AIDS awareness, hunger free campaign togirl trafficking. Believe me, the more I ponder upon them the more I realize that there is a dire need to address the issues of women and children because mostly, they fall prey to violent activities and dominance. For them education and awareness may seem a distant dream but these essential attributes can be delivered if young people like us strongly advocate about the need.

 

I have witnessed young people who in the name of calling themselves open minded and liberal are involved in risky behaviors such as drugs and unsafe sex. As these are one of the major factors towards HIVinfection; caution should be maintained. Call me stereotype but an open approach towards drugs and sex is a big NO!

 

I am still trying to find the person who really matches my profile, if you ask me I'd say my partner needs to be intelligent, funny, honest, mature and of course well educated.

 

It is indeed good to see that a majority of young people today are politically conscious but having said this we cannot ignore the fact that young people want change and they want it fast. I personally believe that young people need to recharge their thinking cap and think over the problems we have in the society and seek for joint solutions because young people are not only capable of complaining but equally able to find solutions.

 

There is so much we can do in life, sothink BIG. Be confident, be yourself and never stop believing because change is only possible if we all work together with patience, hardwork and determination. Remember, if you fail try again and if you achievejust think that there are more things to be done, more things to be achieved! For more connection and intellectual debates contact me at vika_nepal@yahoo.com