Chennai: Vadapalani has new star resident, G Gayathri, who was crowned Mrs India Beauty at a contest conducted by Dazzle in New Delhi. Gayathri is a woman wearing many hats. A software engineer by profession, she has worked in Germany for a couple of years. She is also a yoga guru, qualified Montessori and kindergarten teacher with a postgraduate degree in psychology. She even holds a diploma in integrated Montessori training and play school management. Her expertise also extends as an alternative therapist, specialising in acupuncture, pranic healing, divine healing and she is a certified zumba trainer (ZIN) and mid-brain activator.

In a chat with News Today, Gayathri shared how she participated in the contest. ‘”It’s my nature to try my hand at everything and I love challenges. This motivated me to participate in the Mrs India International beauty contest. My mentor was Tabassum Haq, CEO of Dazzle, and Subodh Jain encouraged me. I had no prior experience of even witnessing a beauty contest and, naturally, I felt nervous. The organisers and participants made me comfortable by their good gestures and simple manners,’” she said.

For the innovation round, she wore an attire made from scrap items. In the talent round, Gayathri performed ‘Rudra Thandavam’, a fusion of nine forms of dance. ‘’In the question and answer round, I was asked what makes a woman special. I said love and compassion makes a woman,’’ she said.

Gayathri credits her success to her trainer Dr Vinay Katyal, who was incharge of her diet and mental health, her stylist, Shaine Soni, who boosted her confidence, and Latha Krishnan of Iris Glam who gave grooming sessions. ‘”I feel privileged to be associated with some great good people. I thank my parents and friends. Without their help and support, I wouldn’t have won the title,’” Gayathri said.

When asked why she shifted her career from IT to play school and alternative medicine, Gayathri said, “‘My stay in Germany gave me an opportunity to realise how good their kindergarten and play schools are.’ ‘I soon learnt their ways and ideologies of running a play school and it became a dream for me to start a play school. Eventually, I quit my job and returned to Chennai and opened Sahasras, a play school,”’ she said.

Gayatri also runs Dhrishyaa Charitable Trust. She has planted more than 1,200 saplings across the city through her social chapter – Green Pragati. She funds for Msithree, a school for special children, who conduct free yoga sessions. Reach her at 95000 50290.