Anoushka Chauhan

From being behind the camera to being in front of it, Anoushka Chauhan has explored many trades and always believed in herself. Hailing from Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand, this 22-year-old girl has always been passionate about fashion. She pursued her bachelor's in Fashion Communication from NIFT Gandhinagar and currently works as a marketing executive in a company in Mumbai. She practices styling, visual merchandising, content writing, and modeling professionally. Her experience of the two disparate cultures of Uttarakhand and Gujarat gives her a wider spectrum of life. She is highly enthusiastic and ambitious, although this wasn't the case in her childhood. As a child, she had an inferiority complex and was very under confident. However, with time and support from her family, she gained the courage to face the stage. She believes that she found her true self by being in front of the camera and performing on a stage. Anoushka greatly admires her Jaunsari culture, which teaches her to be humble and ethical. She enjoys watching sports with her family and loves traveling with them. During her college days, she was associated with the art of street play, through which she participated in the awareness campaign of women's health care hygiene, food wastage management, organ donation, and social stigma. She worked on several documents on Indian craft and artisans' livelihood, which developed a keen interest in handloom and Indian craft. In addition, she worked with the organization called Craftroots, which strives for the growth and sustenance of Indian crafts and artisans. With the spirit of Meraki, she always puts her best foot forward with strength, diligence, and grace.


Q&A

How best would you describe your personality?
I am an empathetic, trustworthy, and self-rewarded person. I am a keen learner and a hard worker. I love to be sociable and I am described as an energetic and enthusiastic person. My character is highly influenced by my culture and is a blend of traditional values and modern approaches. I would compare my personality to water as I adapt to my surroundings while being committed to my true self.


What is your all-time favorite movie or book?
Harry Potter is my favorite movie and book too. J K Rowling has crafted each character which such an integrated description one feels like they are a part of the book. The Harry Potter series is a beautiful part of my childhood which I share with my siblings. I watch Harry Potter whenever I get a chance.


Who is the most influential person in your life?
My Nanu is the most influential person in my life. He is a very determined and strong person. At the age of 62, he went back to his village when he could have enjoyed his retirement in a city like Shimla. He built a farm from scratch and even helped the other villagers to develop their farms. He is closely attached to his culture and knows the value of mother earth. The way he works for his society and makes decisions is what I admire the most in him. He made me believe that if you can think of doing or becoming something then there is nothing that can stop you except you yourself. He taught me the importance of dedication and discipline in life.


What are the three best qualities you possess?
I am inquisitive, I try to pick up new skills and learn from every person I meet or every situation I am in. I am self-aware, I understand my emotions and feelings. I know what I desire and aim for. And I am empathetic. I believe it's very important to understand other people’s motivations, needs, and emotions, to be open to different cultures, beliefs and ethnicities to realise the ideal of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'(the world is one family).


What is your biggest fear?
My biggest fear is fear itself. I am afraid of that moment where I have self-doubt, the moment I am afraid to do the right thing. I hope that moment never comes and my ethics stand strong forever.


Describe your favorite memory of your college life?
My favorite memory of college is the practice sessions with my theater team. We use to prepare street play on social issues. Making the script, scenes, props, and dialogues was a fun process. The amalgam of different ideas, coming from different students of different backgrounds was very interesting and enriching. Those sessions helped me to develop a stronger character. These memories are very close to my heart and I am grateful to all those who were a part of this spectacular team.


What was the craziest rumor you ever heard about yourself?
The craziest rumor I heard about myself was that I am an NRI student from Australia. It was a rumor in my college in my first year. I have no idea where it started and what made people think so.


Which public personality would you like to hang out with?
I would like to hang out with the prolific writer, engineer, professor, and philanthropist Sudha Murty ma'am. Smashing glass ceilings at a time when there were very few women leading the way her story is an exemplary account of a formidable trailblazer, who braved the road less travelled. She is an incredible author and I truly admire her writing style. She looks simple and down to earth in spite of being so successful. Watching her interviews is an absolute delight and I am instantly charmed by her personality and aura. Even if I get a little time to spend with her, I am sure I can learn a lot.


What is your motto of life?
My motto in life is to share the kind of love, care, and knowledge I got in my life. Whatever I do I give my best so that I don't have any regrets in life when I leave the world.


One thing you miss about your college life amid pandemic?
As a design student, the classroom culture of exchanging ideas plays an important role in our growth. I really miss observing other student's work process, how they create something from an idea to an outcome and getting constant feedback from classmates. That is something I cherish a lot and that is what I missed the most during the virtual classes.


What would be your advice for the youth of today?
My advice to the youth of today is to live with consciousness. You should know what is happening around you and how it affects the dynamics of the world. You are the future, if you are aware of your surroundings, only then you can make a difference. Be aware of not just your surroundings but yourself as well. Understand yourself, your capabilities, emotions, and feelings. Once you know yourself and your surroundings you will become the change you want to see in the world.


What does Campus Princess mean to you?
Campus princess means an evolution to me. Being a part of campus princess I got the opportunity to interact and learn from talented and passionate women from across the country. I evolved as a person in this journey. I am really grateful to this platform for giving me a lifelong experience.


If you were to be granted one wish, what would you ask for?
If I am granted one wish, I would ask for immense knowledge. Knowledge to heal, to save, to change the world. Knowledge is that one asset that can build bridges between conflicting nations, uplift the poor and support the downtrodden to live a more meaningful life. It can inspire generations to work in the direction of a better world which is not divided by thin walls of hatred and greed.