Independence Day Special: Miss India USA 2021 Vaidehi Dongre honours her Indian roots
Born in India and raised in the United States, Vaidehi is a graduate of the University of Michigan and currently works as a business development manager. She also won the 'Miss Talented' award for her performance of Kathak.
FollowAmong those who have over the years made the nation proud are some who reside miles away from country. Vaidehi Dongre, from Michigan, US, is one such person. As India celebrates 75 years of independence, Asianet Newsable reached out to Vaidehi Dongre, who was recently crowned Miss India USA for 2021.
Born in India and raised in the United States, Vaidehi is a graduate of the University of Michigan and currently works as a business development manager. She also won the 'Miss Talented' award for her performance of Kathak.
After achieving this feat, she is now prepping to take part in the Miss India Worldwide pageant. Miss India USA, founded approximately 40 years ago by prominent Indian-Americans Dharmatma and Neelam Saran in New York under Worldwide Pageants, is the longest-running Indian pageant outside of India.
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When asked how her life had changed since the pageant, she said, "It's overwhelming with the kind of support and good wishes I have received and is continuing. But a title like this comes with great responsibility and also comes with network and resources and community. I am lucky to be in a community which is so diverse."
Earning the title at such a young age, she said her mother was the biggest inspiration. Giving the lion share of the credit to her mother, Vaidehi said her mother wanted to participate in the pageant. She got lessons in Kathak as early as when she just five-years-old from her mother, who was involved in theatre in India.
"My aatya (Dad's sister) is Hindu classical singer. My brother plays table. I come from a very artistic family which helped me to prepare for the pageant."Â Belonging from an Indian-American family, she has been visiting India every year since she was six years old.
"Everything from food to culture, my kathak, and more importantly, my family has kept me grounded to my heritage roots," she added. She mentioned a particular Pani-puri place in Mumbai’s Chowpatty where she goes every time she is in India.
Further talking about what she misses about India, Vaidehi said, "In India, we say 'kaka' or 'bhaiya'; everyone establishes a relation. That sense of belonging and togetherness does not exist here. It is the thing I miss the most."
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