Sharmistha’s Odyssey: A Daughter’s Tribute, A Queen’s Triumph

Sharmistha Das Dey

Must we always wait for a defining moment to ignite the fire within us? Does external motivation unlock our true potential, or is it the fire within—the unrelenting hunger—that propels us toward definite objectives in life? Perhaps it is the confluence of both—a celestial alignment of circumstance and will—that charts one’s destiny.

For Sharmistha Dey, that moment arrived with an irreparable loss. The passing of her beloved father was not just a sorrowful event but a turning point that would alter the course of her life. As the eldest of two daughters, it was she who performed the sacred ritual of मुखाग्नि. In that hour of grief, her father’s words echoed in her heart—his deep faith in her, his relentless encouragement, his belief in her abilities, far greater than her own.

Sharmistha was never the archetypal extrovert. Raised in a modest middle-class household, her aspirations were firmly rooted in academia—she dreamed of becoming a doctor, of pursuing higher studies, never once pausing to admire the grace and beauty she so effortlessly carried. But fate had its own plans. As she grappled with grief, lost in memories of her father’s love and encouragement, she stumbled upon a forgotten relic of her childhood—a slam book her father had handed to her six months prior.

In the era before digital diaries and smart phones, slam books were cherished keepsakes, filled with childhood musings—favourite things, ambitions, role models, inscribed not just by the owner but by close friends. And there, in her own innocent handwriting, lay an unfulfilled aspiration:

“I want to be Miss India.”

It was 1994, the year Sushmita Sen had been crowned, a moment that had sparked a young girl’s imagination. Somewhere in the depths of her subconscious, she had believed that she, too, could shine on that very stage. But with time, reality asserted itself—dreams took a pragmatic turn, and ambitions aligned with education and stability. She may have faltered in her quest for a medical career due to unforeseen health issues. Still, she carved out another path—clearing the Bank Probationary Officers Examination and securing a prestigious position in the banking sector, an institution revered for its dignity and respectability.

From a dedicated banker and devoted mother to the proud title of Mrs. India.

Life moved forward. Marriage to a doctor, the joys of motherhood with a daughter and a son, professional commitments, and the frequent relocations that come with a government job—Sharmistha embraced every role with grace and dedication, becoming the nucleus of her family. Yet, amid her structured existence, destiny had preserved a window for the dream that once flickered in the heart of a young girl.

Her father’s departure rekindled the embers of that long-lost aspiration. The slam book, once a childhood fancy, now felt like a celestial message—a reminder that beauty, grace, and ambition are not bound by age. What if the golden years of youth had passed? What if she had never trained for the world of pageantry? What if she was stepping into a territory unknown? None of it mattered. What mattered was the promise she made to herself—to honour the dream her father had safeguarded for her.

And so began the extraordinary journey of Sharmistha Dey, from a dedicated banker and devoted mother to the proud title of Mrs. India.

With the blessings of her father and the firm support of her family, she plunged into a world far removed from her own—a territory of poised and ambitious women, of dazzling divas who had spent years perfecting their craft. She, a newcomer to this stage, realized that the path to glory required more than just inner beauty—it demanded rigorous preparation, mental fortitude, physical transformation, and the ability to express oneself poise and conviction.

She often said that the competition never unnerved her, for the spirit of rivalry never truly seeped into her heart. What consumed her instead was an overwhelming tide of emotions—memories of her father that refused to fade. The ache of his absence lingered like an unspoken void, and no matter how she tried, she could not shake off the weight of loss.

During these moments of quiet sorrow, one song became her refuge, a melody that seemed to speak directly to her soul:

“Ae zindagi gale laga le,
Humne bhi tere har ek gham ko gale se lagaya hai… hai na?”

She was her father’s cherished child, the very cynosure of his eyes, and his departure had left her adrift in a sea of sadness. Amidst the depths of her grief, she found herself drawn toward an unexpected path—one that felt less like a personal ambition and more like a heartfelt tribute. Stepping into the world of beauty pageants was not merely about winning a title; it was a silent homage to the man who had always seen her as the most beautiful girl in the world. Perhaps, in ways only a father understands, this was his dream too. Perhaps he had always believed that the world should witness the brilliance of his daughter, just as he had cherished it every single day.

And as this song wove its way into her heart, grief slowly began to transform into purpose:

“Chhota sa saaya tha, aankhon mein aaya tha,
Humne toh boondon se ghar bhar liya…
Tera sahaara mil gaya hai zindagi,
Humko kinaara mil gaya hai zindagi…”

Her father’s presence, though now intangible, became her notional strength—a force that transcended the physical world and anchored itself deep within her soul. And notional strength, as history has often shown, has the power to double one’s resolve.

Remember Sachin Tendulkar’s century at the ICC World Cup, 1999, just few days after performing his father’s last rites? His bat did not wield just skill that day—it carried the weight of love, loss, and an unbreakable promise.

Sharmistha, too, found her renewed purpose in life.

“Tera sahaara mil gaya hai zindagi…”

The Road to Mrs. India: Grit, Transformation, and Triumph

The auditions for Mrs. India – Classic Category had commenced, and with a heart filled with renewed purpose, Sharmistha took the leap and submitted her application. To her astonishment, she was swiftly called for an online interview, which she cleared effortlessly. Yet, she knew that this was merely the first step—the final audition was slated for November 2021, giving her a crucial window for preparation.

Transformation is not about ease—it is about resilience.

It was at this juncture that she confronted a stark reality—motherhood changes a woman’s body, and she, a mother of two, was no exception. Years of dedication to her family and profession had taken precedence, and now, reclaiming her physical fitness was a formidable challenge. The journey was far from easy. The body protested; muscles ached, breath fell short, and exhaustion set in with even the simplest of workouts. But Sharmistha knew that transformation is not about ease—it is about resilience.

With every aching muscle and every gasping breath, she reminded herself: progress is not instantaneous, but perseverance is the key.

And so, she pressed on.

Often, the body seeks a rhythm— a force that propels it beyond exhaustion, beyond limits. For Sharmistha, that rhythm came from the electrifying beats of Sultan’s iconic anthem, picturized on Salman Khan—a song that pulsated with raw grit.

Kismat jo aave saamne
Tu mod de uska panja re
Chal mode de uska panja re

Khoon mein tere mitti
Mitti mein tera khoon
Khoon mein tere mitti
Mitti mein tera khoon

Upar Allah, Neeche dharti
Beech mein tera Junoon

Each beat ignited a spark within her. Every push-up, chin-up, squat, and strength drill became a battle against self-imposed boundaries. The soreness, the breathlessness, the moments of wanting to stop—none of it mattered when the song roared in her ears, fueling her with an unrelenting Junoon.

She was not just sculpting her body; she was sculpting her spirit.

Ashish: The Silent Strength Behind the Dream

Ashish, a doctor by profession, was a man deeply devoted to his work. His dedication to medicine often meant that the daily affairs of the household, the small but crucial decisions of family life, rested on Sharmistha’s shoulders. He once told her about the 1.5 – 0.5 principle—a philosophy that dictated that for a marriage to remain balanced, one partner must take a step back on the professional front to ensure stability at home.

Sharmistha, with a heart full of love and understanding, chose to embrace this principle. She willingly sacrificed promotional opportunities, not as a compromise, but as a conscious choice to nurture her children, to become the anchor of her family. While Ashish immersed himself in his medical practice, she built a home that was warm, stable, and filled with love.

Yet, Ashish’s role was never distant. He was not a silent observer; he was an impactful force. He might not have contributed to her banking career, but when Sharmistha embarked on her Mrs. India journey, he became the Krishna to her Arjuna. The war was hers to fight, but without him, the battle against self-doubt, fear, and hesitation would have been overwhelming.

When the contest demanded rigorous preparation—fifty questions on life skills, current affairs, logical reasoning, and the all-important presentation skills—Ashish stood beside her. He became her mentor, her strategist, reminding her that mental fortitude was just as vital as physical fitness.

During those four transformative months, he constantly whispered a mantra into her ears:

“Go out there and enjoy. Let go of the past. Don’t worry about the future. Just live this dream in the present.” Doesn’t it remind of the song

“Har ghadi badal rahi hai roop zindagi,
Chhanv hai kabhi, kabhi hai dhoop zindagi,
Har pal yahan jee bhar jeeyo,
Jo hai sama, kal ho na ho…”

Ashish’s philosophical and lofty approach brought immense ease to Sharmistha. While the closeness between husband and wife should never be in question, I believe it is moments like these—when one strives to support the other—that add a progressive yet profound sweetness to their togetherness.

With each passing day, Sharmistha felt the colours of her dream becoming more vivid. The burden of winning faded; what remained was the joy of the journey, the thrill of transformation. Ashish kept reminding her, just as Krishna told Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita—

“कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।“
“Focus on your actions, not on the rewards they may bring”.

The Grand Finale

Fate often conspires to test the resolve of those on the brink of glory. Just days before the Mrs. India finale—a four-day spectacle at the Leela Convention Centre, New Delhi—Sharmistha was struck by a debilitating bout of dengue. Her body weakened, her platelets plummeted, but her will remained unshaken.

Even before fully regaining her strength, she travelled to Assam, Guwahati, on the first death anniversary of her beloved father. As she bowed in reverence before his photo frame, her mother cupped her face in her hands, her voice heavy with emotion.

“Tu toh beta jaisi hai… dekh lena, pita ka aashirvad hai, unki beti zaroor jeetegi.”

Those words, steeped in love and faith, embraced her like a soothing balm, filling her heart with renewed strength and resolve.

With renewed energy, Sharmistha stepped into the grand finale. Among the 51 formidable contestants, the atmosphere buzzed with intensity. The stage was a battlefield of ambitions—renowned doctors, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, women from the Armed Forces —all veterans in their own right, many of whom had rehearsed for months, as if they belonged here.

Sharmistha, however, was stepping onto the ramp for the first time. She had no professional training, no prior experience, but she had something rare—an unyielding spirit and her father’s dream woven into her soul.

As she took her first steps, the moment consumed her. The lights, the music, the competitive air—all of it faded. A serene glow radiated from within her. Her eyes shimmered—not just with confidence, but with deep, soulful emotions.

While others strutted to the rhythm of “Fashion ka yeh hai Jalwa,” trying to outshine one another, Sharmistha floated onto the stage—effortless, graceful, as if she were born for this moment.

In her mind, a different song played—a song that perfectly captured her ethereal presence, her quiet yet commanding aura:

Pari hoon main
Aayi main to aayi nazaron ke anjaane ek jahaan se,
Laayi main to laayi baharon ke afsane bhi wahaan se

She was no longer walking. She was gliding.

The outer world blurred; the deafening cheers were no match for the inner stillness she carried within. She was a vision of poise, a luminous presence on the ramp. Judges took note—not just of her walk, but of her resplendent energy, her unmistakable aura.

And then came the moment of reckoning. The final question was posed:

“If you were given the power to change something in the world, what would it be?”

Sharmistha, standing tall, her voice steady yet filled with depth, responded:

“We need power mostly to harm something; for everything else, love is enough.

If I were given the power to change the world, I would ensure education for all children across the globe. Because with education comes wisdom—and wisdom is what makes the world a better place.”

A hush fell upon the room.

Her words were not rehearsed; they flowed from a mind enlightened by experience and a heart rich with empathy. Her belief was simple yet deep: education is the great equalizer, the bridge that connects humanity beyond boundaries.

It was not just an answer—it was a reflection of her soul.

And then, the moment arrived…

She had not just competed. She had transcended.

The crowning moment!

Sharmistha Das Dey was crowned Mrs. India International Queen 2021

Not merely for her beauty, nor for her grace, but for her indomitable spirit, her luminous presence, and the fire of purpose that burned within her.

Her father’s dream had found wings.

Her organization also celebrated Sharmistha’s success. She fondly recalled how her bosses at the office motivated her by presenting a book and expressing that women like her are role models for many aspiring women who often stand at crossroads, struggling to take the tougher path. A cake-cutting ceremony was held in her honour to commemorate her achievement.

Later, Sharmistha was appointed as a judge for the 2022 Mrs. India event, reaffirming the organizers’ faith in her abilities—not just as a beauty queen, but as someone who could articulate her thoughts with intelligence, dignity, and an innate sensitivity that defined her presence. Her story is not merely about winning a crown; it is about breaking barriers, defying expectations, and proving to herself—and the world—that no dream is ever truly lost. It waits, patiently, for the moment we gather the courage to chase it.

(The story is based on facts as gathered from my specific conversations with Sharmistha)

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About the Author

Gaurav Sahay ( 3 Posts)

Gaurav Sahay is a Delhite largely though with substantial exposure to urban and quasi rural Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. He has a Masters in Business Administration and a law degree from Delhi University. He is a banker by profession but has interests on a range of subjects, including astrology, homeopathy and sports. He is passionate about films, in particular Hindi. His understanding however is not populist but critical and at times transcending. He writes in English and Hindi with equal command. His essay on Guide is ample evidence of the writer and critic within him.
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