This multi-talented young woman started an innovative business in Goa

BY ASAVARI KULKARNI

She teaches Konkani at the Purushottam Walawalkar Higher Secondary School, Mapusa; is a news anchor and translator for Akashvani Panaji; a motivational speaker, poetess, popular compere for birthday parties and events and more. She’s also a prominent Goan theatre actress.

In addition to all of the above, she is an aspiring entrepreneur with some very innovative ideas.

FINDING HER PASSION

Meet Aishwarya Sangita Bharat Nair, a young female entrepreneur, who is a resident of Pilgao, Bicholim. Born to Sangita and Bharat Nair, she is the youngest child in her family.

From an early age, she began acting in plays through village theatre groups. And, being passionate about  theatre, she wanted to pursue an acting career. Although her family was very supportive of her career dreams, she also harboured a strong desire to complete her formal education and join the teaching profession.

As she shares her journey, she recalls a memorable incident, which was the turning point in her life. It was way back when she was in school. She had scored distinctions at the SSC Board exams, and hence, chose the Science stream for Std XI. But, it wasn't until she failed that class that she realised that her decision was wrong, and she was on the wrong path.

Around this time, she discovered her love for acting, and had to balance it with her education in order to live her passion. So, she redesigned her life, and has never looked back ever since!

She eventually got her Bachelor's degree, BEd and MA (in Konkani), and is now pursuing her MEd along with a diploma course in Theatre Arts. Simultaneously, she established herself as a professional anchor and has been compering commercial events for over a decade, as Emcee Aishwarya.

During the pandemic, when everyone was stuck at home, this lively young girl decided to learn some new skills, one of which was making chocolate.

Already having entrepreneurial dreams, rather than merely pursuing it as a hobby, she started her own chocolate business, which received a good response from the public. It is during that time, that she was selected to host Akashvani Panaji, where she now works as a translator and newsreader.

In the meantime, she continued acting in Goan drama and even won an award for her performance.

BUSINESS & MORE

She has been invited by various schools and colleges to lecture on various topics. Having won awards in beauty pageants, she has also been invited to be a judge at local beauty pageants.

As if all that was not enough, Aishwarya recently started an innovative business of ‘saree pleats’, after having noticed that many women, especially those who wear sarees in South Indian styles, find it challenging to create the perfect saree pleats.

Based on her experience of multiple costume changes (sarees) in a very short time during certain dramas, she developed the skill of pre-folding sarees. And now, this business has also become a runaway success! Who would have thought that pre-pleated sarees could be a business venture, and a successful one at that?

Aishwarya has achieved success through her perseverance, positive attitude and creative thinking. The popularity of her designs spreads through word of mouth, and so she has never had the need to actively promote her venture.

While she has won numerous awards for poetry, state theatre competitions etc, the icing on the cake was the National Bravery Award in 2009, when she was just 13-years-old. Apart from personal achievements, she is actively involved in social work, too.

Aishwarya has a great desire to become a successful teacher, motivational speaker and, of course, a theatre performer. Nevertheless, she has achieved much in her life, making her an inspiration to young Goans, and women in particular.