Mid day - New year conversation with Sajithra
What made you participate in the beauty pageant?
A national pageant is a powerful platform. Platforms like this offer a better view and access. I considered this my moment to step into the light. There was a pull from the fashion industry before but I had other priorities then. I felt that it was finally time.
Are you planning to get into movies or modelling?
One script discussion is going on. It’s a strong subject and I wish I could tell you more but that’s at a very nascent stage. I have done theatre and was quite active writing and directing plays during my school and college days. So, it does play to my strengths. I am also discussing with one brand to plan an Ad shoot. However, I am not in a hurry. I am writing a book for Manushyaputhiran's Uyirmai publications. There's a lot to do in 2022 and I need to prioritise well.
You are coming from a strong academic background. So why beauty contest?
I don’t believe in absolutes. We can contribute better if we align and adapt. This platform offers access. That access is agnostic of the opportunities it can crack open. Arts and science have the same intent – make sense of the world, nurture a new view, and communicate that. From STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering. Mathematics) we are moving towards a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) model. The fashion industry is also part of this shift. Leonardo Da Vinci, the best role model for interdisciplinary learning said “To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art; Study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realise that everything connects to everything else.”
What is your message to young women?
Believe in yourself. Examine everything, including what I am saying now. We don’t really know if what we share with you is based on our experience and wisdom or merely a product of our bias. There's no rigid path. What matters is knowing your purpose of life and having the courage to make the right choices that align with that, no matter the short term costs. As long as you try to be a decent human being who treats others the way you would like to be treated, those choices will not harm anyone else. Be kind to yourself and the world around you. Tolerate your mistakes and keep moving forward. All the best!
Sajithra K has 15 years of cross functional experience leading IT Innovation (HP, Bell Labs, her start- up Buzzmerize, Alcatel-Lucent (Now Nokia), Altisource, Unilever etc.). She has published two books, one an anthology of her poems ‘Trees from dirty seeds’ and the other on Innovation for Mid-level Technical Professionals ‘The Innovation Imperative’ co-authored with Ranga Shetty. Sajithra has a Master's degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering. Her papers on Social media are referenced by Authors worldwide in papers, PhD thesis, and books.
