Unlike many other models who would have opted for the best grooming institutes before such an important pageant, Sonika is happy to be in Bhubaneswar.
“I love being here and I don’t think I need to be in Mumbai all the time to get ready for the contest. There’s so much time before it. If I could win the Miss India title of the pageant based from Bhubaneswar, why should I shift to Mumbai before the International title contest!” she asks.
The beauty queen has achieved much at a young age but not without struggles. “I lost my mother when I was in Class 9 and last year I lost my father too. I miss them so much. But whatever I am is only the result of their efforts. Even as a school kid I was given freedom to explore the field I had interest in and never held back. Also, they have taught me to work hard for my dreams,” the youngster says.
Sonika was a Femina Miss India 2016, Bhubaneswar finalist and now winning the national title Miss India Asia Pacific International has taken her closer to her dreams. She will be competing with models from across the globe at the Miss Asia Pacific International 2017 pageant that was won by Zeenat Aman in 1970, Tara Fonseca in 1973 and Diya Mirza in 2000.
“I wish to win an international pageant. I have also always dreamt of being an actress in Bollywood,” said Sonika.
A well trained Odissi dancer groomed by the famous Kumkum Mohanty and now continuing as a student of Ashok Ghoshal, Sonika is currently working on an Odia film and a Telugu film simultaneously.
“Both are most likely to release in September. Meanwhile, I will have to visit Mumbai few times for photo shoots,” she says.
Sonika wishes to set up a grooming institute for Odisha girls who want to compete in beauty contests. “Girls in Odisha are very graceful for beauty pageants but they need the exposure about the different skills needed to clear various rounds in a title contest. I myself had to take a short course at Cocoaberry Minstry of Talent in Mumbai. So, when I’m back from Philippines I wish to set up a grooming institute for Odia girls,” says Sonika.
For the various rounds at the Miss Asia Pacific International, Sonika’s costumes will be made by Odia designers.