Shruthi Cauvery Iyer is in South Korea competing for Mrs Universe. The finale is today.
Excerpts from an interview…
When did you realise that you need to compete for the title?
Last year around this time, I was feeling like I had reached a plateau since having my younger child in 2019. While I truly enjoy my work, and love my family, it was clear that I was making myself the last priority.
When I heard about the Mrs. India Universe 2021 title, I thought it would be exciting to prepare for and participate in the pageant. I applied and here we are now!
What are the preparations and challenges you faced at ground level till you got the title?
When I entered the Mrs India Universe pageant organised by Mrs India- She is India, I was a first time pageant participant and had very little clue about the amount of preparation it would take to get to a stage where I could enter the pageant. I put a lot of effort into the preparation and got a great wardrobe together. I was very lucky to have SanchitaAjjampur sponsor key items of my wardrobe because I think having a great wardrobe made a huge difference to my confidence, and helped me stand out. I also made sure we had a great video entry for the domestic violence presentation and had my friend Shweta Dogra help with the National Costume, which took lots of time to make but won the ‘Best National Costume’ award.
Balancing work and family with the preparations for the pageant was not easy, and I was under a time crunch, so I would say that was quite tough as well.
As a winner of the title, Mrs India Universe 2021, what do you think are your responsibilities?
As a winner of the Mrs. India Universe title and as the official India representative at Mrs. Universe that will be held in Seoul between 22 June 2022 and 1 July 2022, I have a huge responsibility on my shoulders.
My primary goal for the pageant is to represent our country well, and to make sure my preparation is top-notch. I’m also very supported by Mrs. India -She is India platform and many well-wishers in the industry. I have a great team preparing me, like Lakshmi Rana and Dr. Rita Gangwani at WIlderbee Talent, so I know I’m in the best hands possible and that I have a good chance for a high placement.
How do you balance your multiple roles ?
Balancing multiple roles is very difficult, especially as a working mom. I’m trying to take it one day at a time and not worry too much about things that are beyond my control.I do think discipline and having a routine can help save a lot of time, so I’ve been sticking to a good routine that enables me to be productive.
Any experiences if you would like to share so that it inspires other women?
If I can look back on my past self, I think my story of being a graduate school student while raising my daughter, who was three years old at the time, all by myself is inspiring even to me. I don’t know how I managed to raise a child while graduating from Wharton and then from Harvard. I think women are powerful multitaskers – we are more capable than we think.
Preparation for the title of Mrs Universe?
I’m taking a holistic approach towards my preparation. I’ve been focused on preparing myself inside out – I’m taking care of my mental health with the help of positive self-talk, mindful eating and choosing food groups that make me feel good, and exercise that makes me feel strong and invigorated.
I’m very blessed to have so many industry stalwarts training me – that makes the approach to preparation methodical and well thought through.
Finally, I’m motivated to represent India at Mrs. Universe in the best manner possible. I’m excited to be on this journey, and grateful that I get to prepare for an important title like Mrs. Universe.
About Shruthi Cauvery Iyer
The reigning Mrs India Universe was crowned the title on the 21st of August, 2021. Shruthi is also a mother of two children and the Founder and Managing DIrector of CaHa Capital, a global impact investment firm based out of Bangalore.
Shruthi’s sheer determination and passion towards all her pursuits allowed her to win the prestigious title. As someone who feels strongly about Domestic Abuse it was the pageant’s focus on Fighting Domestic Violence that drew her to it. Shruthi is on a mission to represent Indian women internationally as go-getters and at the same time be a tireless advocate for protection of women from domestic violence. As a devoted mother to her two children and wife to her impact investor husband she believes that women should continue to invest in themselves even with professional responsibilities and motherhood.
From being an impact investment professional to walking the ramp, Shruthi has been able to experience and excel in diverse roles. Before her return to India in 2016 and founding CaHa Capital in 2019, this serial entrepreneur ran a successful commodities business in Indonesia and Hong Kong, a skincare startup in Boston, Blend8. Shruthi has an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School, Philadelphia, a Masters in Public Administration from The Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge and a Bachelors in Environmental Engineering from the Visvesvaraya Technological University, Karnataka.
Shruthi in her National Costume Round which she won at the Mrs Universe in South Korea this week on 27th June.
