Meet our featured beauty with brains Dr Rethika Ravi, a Lecturer and Creative Director based in Melbourne, Australia.

She is a mother, wife, daughter, and works as a lecturer at one of the reputed Universities in Melbourne and is also the Founder, Artistic and Creative Director of Shakthiswaraa School of Dance.

Feel free to check out her FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/shakthiswaraa-School-of-Dance-260725261260632/

Here is an interview with this multi-talented gorgeous lady:

1. Tell us more about yourself, what you do, your hobbies, passions etc.

I came to Melbourne in July 2000 as an International Student to pursue my master’s in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (RMIT University). I later completed my PhD in Oncology (RMIT) and was also awarded “Recognition for Outstanding achievement in Research – 2010” including publications and presentations to my credit. While in India, thanks to my parents I got trained in Classical Dance (Bharathnatyam) and Vocal – Indian Carnatic Music and Painting (oil and acrylic), Melbourne gave me opportunities to explore the world of arts and contribute to cultural awareness through dance and music. I have performed across various platforms both in India during the Reputed “December Margazhi Season 2017” and since 2003 in Melbourne. This year, I’ve been a part of the “Faces of Wyndham” Project, Ghost-Light series coordinated by the Wyndham Cultural center and featured in the “Star weekly” (June edition). Apart from being a passionate dancer, I am well-trained in Carnatic Vocal Music and perform regularly in Melbourne. I love playing the veena (string instrument too). I now have my own Dance school in Wyndham Vale (Shakthiswaraa School of Dance (Bharathnatyam – Kalakshetra/Tanjavoor Bhaani) established in March 2019) where I teach this traditional and ancient art form to anyone who aspires to learn it! Arts esp. dancing keeps me grounded whereas music and painting makes me find inner calm and peace…this is my form of meditation, devotion and my way of life. It has taught me self-control/time management/work-life balance, healed me and gives me happiness. I’ve always aimed at doing anything be it personal or professional with a lot of character and interest. My philosophy is “Never say I can’t, say I will try and give it your very best”!!! would seamlessly describe my life here so far…

2. You run a dance school. Who or what inspired you to start it?

I love teaching – something that comes naturally to me! Staring a dance school to expand my horizons is something my dad initiated me into. My family has undoubtedly been my pillars of support at every step of mine. They have never stopped me from pursuing my interests which I think has played a significant role so far. I had a break of 4 years in between but started dancing again in 2017 after my daughter was born (she just turned 4!). Inspiration otherwise for me comes from the accessibility to Hindu temples where arts and culture are strongly encouraged throughout the year, the diverse and challenging opportunities that has come my way which has helped me take my dancing/singing to the next level (by the way of performances at events/programs/concerts), choosing the music, choreographing, deciding the costumes, my enthusiastic groups of students, and of course. It gives me immense satisfaction to see my students perform, to see their confidence grow, and enables them to develop a deeper connection with the rich Indian heritage. With every performance, I learn, I improve and find the self-motivation to keep going.

3. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

(Smiles)!!! Mom of a teenager …

On the professional side, continue in the education and training industry (I love my job) On the personal side, would like to see my dance school grow. Would aim to teach as many people as I can and share the little that I know.

There is strength, grace and perfection in Bharathnatyam… it is not just the dance, it allows you to connect with your roots and express yourself truly. Inherent in it is deep meaning and complexity. Through Bharatanatyam you connect with the audience and yourself on an emotional level. It improves balance, flexibility, concentration and stamina by making the body and mind agile. It is a combination of music, poetry, movement and lots of storytelling. A performer needs to remember steps, names of the various steps, different moves, the beats and rhythm of the song. It is a centuries-old beautiful art form. For me personally, Bharathnatyam is sacred, it helps me connect to the divine. I aim and hope to impart this skill in dancing to budding artists!!!

4. What does women empowerment mean to you?

I’ve always believed that woman are very capable, versatile beings. Being independent, patient and perceiving our dreams is something that comes naturally to us. To me women empowerment is having the voice to freely express our emotions and thoughts, help build one another in encouraging ways, changing challenges to opportunities and having the willpower and determination to getting out of the comfort zone, and simply being yourself! In short, being strong and beautiful inside out 😊 and believing in our dreams! I play various roles and aspire to be an all-rounder, and, on that note, I wish the very best to all the wonderful women out there including the one who raised me and the one who I am raising! Always walk with your head held high, take pride in what you do and shine like a bright star!!!

A warm welcome to beauty with brains Kaveeta Prasad, who recently joined our fashion platform as a model. Her lovely smile dazzles and her bubbly personality is endearing.

Apart from fashion and modelling, she is passionate about helping people and working with kids. She enjoys walks, going to the gym, travel and meeting people from different backgrounds.

A warm welcome to beauty with brains Sony Reddy, who recently joined our fashion platform as a model. With her classic good looks and expressive eyes, she sure is a charmer.

Along with being a model, she is a fashion designer as well and owns The Pink Mirror Boutique (7 https://www.facebook.com/The-Pink-Mirror-104544564473112/

Her other hobbies are travelling, watching movies, cooking , painting, art and design.

“Wherever you go, becomes a part of you somehow.” We totally agree with this quote by Anita Desai. All the places we travel to; the memories, the experiences, the sights, the sounds, the adventures; everything fuses with our soul, living in us forever. Even though we are not able to travel right now, no one can take away from us, the experiences we have already had.

The aim of our ‘Travel Memories’ feature is to bring positivity to our readers by letting them experience virtual travel through the photos and to keep their own travel memories alive in their hearts.

Meet our featured beauty with brains Rebecca (Beks) Thompson, an Integrated Health and Personal Development Specialist based in Queensland, Australia.

As a mother, entrepreneur and wife, (in no particular order!) Beks understands the push-pull dynamic of trying to maintain life balance as well as be successful. As someone who went through 2 ½ years of chronic pain, depression and a sense of loss of purpose, she learnt that she had to get ‘out of her head’ to get the positive change she was yearning for. Through her own personal journey, Beks has gained wisdom and developed tools around how to BE AND PROSPER in all areas of life.

Beks teaches embodied practices that give instant WOW results so that you will learn:

How to be Seen and Heard in a powerfully authentic way
Be magnetic and attract the business and attention you want – no more push/pull!
How to keep energy and stress levels on an even keel

Beks shares with truth, humour, presence and passion essential tools you need to master in order to be a beacon as an inspirational leader or business owner and thrive personally at the same time.

Beks Thompson is an integrated health and personal development specialist and sought after inspirational speaker. She is the founder and creator of BE A BEACON and is highly regarded as a leader in her industry. With 25 years under her belt as a physio, yoga teacher, presence teacher and coach, she has had her own journey from burnout to brilliance. Through this journey Beks has forged a unique and truly holistic way of working with conscious people who want to live with peace, passion and purpose, making a positive impact in the world, without the burnout! She lives on Bribie Island with her husband of 27 years, 2 teenage boys and mini labradoodle, the only other girl!. She is continuously mastering the dynamic balance of her passions at work, play and family.

Here is an interview with her

1. What are your goals in life? Have you achieved them?

My primary goal is to live my highest life. I am always evolving and am totally committed to that ongoing journey, so that my mind doesn’t limit my own peace and joy or stop me from stepping up to help others on their own journey. For me it’s not about a linear path with a destination, but a deepening connection to a higher power that creates an abiding faith. I am then more able to hear and follow the divine impulses that arise as to what is next.

2. What does women empowerment mean to you?

The realisation, reclaiming and embodiment of the divine feminine in her most powerful, vulnerable, sensual, creative and receptive Self. It is feeling safe to be fully expressed, compassionate and present, without need to compete, judge or devalue ourselves or others. It is the acknowledgement of a higher power flowing through us and that we don’t have to hold the control or the weight of the world on our shoulders.

3. Where do you see yourself ten years from now?

I can feel the ripple effect from the Be a Beacon Programme I run for women continuing to expand, welcoming more and more women into our growing community and those currently within the programme taking on more leadership and training roles. When the world opens up again, I will be sharing my time between OZ, Bali and India as they feel like my second and third homes. Bali is already a part of our programme and India will become an advanced level and there will evolve a philanthropic aspect/foundation for our sisters in India. I can also feel a move to the country happening by then from our current island home in QLD. Both my husband and I have a heart’s desire for the green hills and even more simplicity, once our children leave home.

4. If you could change anything in this world, what would it be and why?

It would have to be Peace. That the world awakens to the destructive force that we can be towards each other, the planet and within our own selves. Peace would be the greatest gift.

Feel free to check out her FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/rebeccabeabeacon/

Meet our featured beauty with brains Gagan Preet, an IT professional and YouTuber based in Sydney, Australia. This immensely talented lady has her own YouTube channel ‘Gagan’s Kitchen’.

https://m.youtube.com/user/gaganpreet0705

Here is an interview with her:

1. Tell us more about yourself – your hobbies, dreams etc.

Well, currently I am working with an RTO called BSI Learning, as an Education Resource Officer where I organise resources and process despatch for our Corrective Services NSW. I am an Electronics Engineer and have worked for many IT distributors, companies like HCL and L&T.

Cooking and gardening are my passions and sometimes I like to read books and go for shopping to find new cooking appliances, crockery to serve etc. I have recently started my YouTube channel ‘Gagan’s Kitchen’ and want to fly high with my cooking passion.

2. You run a cooking channel on YouTube. Who or what inspired you to start the channel?

As I said above, I am passionate about cooking and wanted to do something in this area. My family and friends encouraged me to start this channel and share my skill there.

3. Can you share some simple healthy cooking tips for busy women?

Planning ahead is the most important tip for working women.

a. Plan what you are going to cook and pack from Monday to Friday for breakfast, snacks, fruits, Lunch and dinner.

b. Make a list of grocery that you planned for the week, shop them and stick to it.

c. Cut corners with convenience e.g. chop fresh vegetables on weekend and freeze them rather than using super market’s frozen meals or vegetables.

d. For Indian cooking, if you plan to cook beans like kidney beans, black eye beans, Chic peas etc. soak them in reasonable water and freeze them all. In Indian families these are usually cooked every 2nd week or in some houses every week.

e. Do not be afraid to make enough gravy masalas (this way you use less oil as well) and put that in fridge. So, when you have gravy masala ready and soaked beans in the fridge, you just need to put in pressure cooker and done.

f. If you are a non vegetarian, then marinate meats or chicken in different flavours and use for working days. Just put them in oven or air fryer and by the time you will change and come back to kitchen food is ready, chop some fresh salad and serve dinner.

g. You can also cook rice, put them in containers and freeze them/ buy instant pots cookers etc. many options and technologies are available in the market. You can put them on timer or some appliances are wi-fi connected just use them.

There are so many other options and I am starting to share these tips on my YouTube channel Gagan’s Kitchen soon.

4. Where do you see yourself ten years from now?

I would love to start my own business in the food industry.

A warm welcome to beauty with brains Piyali Chatterjee, also known as Mou, who recently joined our fashion platform as a model. This gorgeous belle, with her lustrous curls and cute smile, enthralls one and all.

“Hi, I’m Mou Chatterjee, a wife, a mother and a working professional based here in Sydney, Australia. I strive to strike a good balance between these roles of mine, doing justice to each one of them to the best of my abilities. I work as a customer service assistant with one of Australia’s largest Retailers.

I grew up in Kolkata, India and moved to Mumbai after my marriage and eventually to Sydney which I have now known as home for the last decade. While growing up and all through my formative years I have always been interested and fascinated by the world of fashion. I found the men and women of the industry exude confidence in all their appearances, be it on ramps, magazines or advertisements. They always inspired me to take care of my appearance, well being and have a positive outlook towards life. This early interest in Fashion and all things related helped me develop my keen sense of styling and I believe I am equally adept at carrying both traditional and western attires. I am sociable, friendly and confident and believe in giving my best in everything I decide to get into.” – Piyali.

Meet our featured beauty with brains Michelle Jones, a wellness advocate based in Melbourne, Australia.

Here is her story.

“Hi I am Michelle Jones, married with three beautiful children. I was born in a small town Cuttack in Odisha in Incredible India. I am the youngest of 4 siblings, 3 sisters and one awesome brother. My husband and I migrated to Australia 16 years ago with two black suitcases and $250. I believe jobs create opportunities and we should always be ready to take that leap of faith in the right direction. This gave us the opportunity to live in beautiful Perth and then we moved to Melbourne where we are now living.

Growing up I was always surrounded by books. The perks of being my mom’s daughter. You see my mom was in charge of the library at the school I went to, St Joseph’s Girls high school. Till date she is known as Library Miss. I am sure growing up some of you loved Noddy, Nancy Drew or the famous five and I cant forget the Barbara Cartland romantic books in my teens.

Books have played and are still playing a major role in the life I am living. You see sometimes we are busy being a wife, mom, and the other roles in our lives, we forget nourishing our souls. For me it is with a book. After having my son 5 years ago I went through depression. I just couldn’t understand what was going on. It was at this time when I woke up, got dressed and headed to our local library. I went straight to the personal development section as if someone guided me to get there. My eyes fell on this book, it was out on the shelf and I read it. ‘You Can Create an Exceptional Life’ by Louise Hay and Cheryl Richard. Reading this book has changed my life forever. I truly believe our thoughts create things. I have swapped the negative self talk for empowering thoughts. I never feel alone when I am with a book. Thus my journey with books truly began again. I always take out time to read and it truly nourishes my mind and soul.

I am a wellness Advocate. My passion is to educate people about the powerful benefits of using Essential oils. I always believe Prevention is better than cure and I personally truly believe Essential oils are the gifts of the Earth and I will always pursue what’s pure.

Much love
Michelle Jones.” – Michelle.

Feel free to check out her website

https://mydoterra.com/michellejones14

A warm welcome to beauty with brains Natalia Cantwell, who recently joined our fashion platform as a model. This blonde charmer turns heads wherever she goes.

Not just a pretty face, the talented beauty runs two online businesses and her passion is to empower women to build their own financial independence, be healthy and look absolutely gorgeous. She feels blessed to be able to help so many beautiful souls!

https://linktr.ee/natalia.cantwell

Meet our featured beauty with brains Sue Turner, a businesswoman, beauty queen and humanitarian based in Sydney, Australia. She is the reigning Mrs Universe Australia and will be competing in the finals in 2021.

Susan Turner, known as Sue Turner, comes from a wonderful family with a mother who was a head nurse as well as a Beauty Queen and a father who loved to sing at weddings. Her father was also a famous unbeaten Boxer and a long distance runner.

Susan has been married to Steven Turner for 31 years and has 8 children who have grown up to be amazing adults, but sadly 2 of their daughters are no longer with them. Susan is also a proud grandma of 12 amazing grandchildren, and has been a French bulldog breeder for 15 years.

Susan’s profession is in the Beauty Industry. She has an Aesthetics Grade 1 level diploma of health science and runs her own beauty salon.

As a child Susan participated in many on stage events, she loved to sing, dance and act. Her favourite class was drama. When Susan was only 7 years old she won the title of MS multiple sclerosis at a pageant, this started her journey towards her passion as a Beauty Queen. From there she worked tirelessly with her mum in many charities. Her charity has clocked around 60,000 hours, raising over $100,000 in 2018/2019 through car shows.

Here is a list of her charity work:

• Vice Present of the Domestic violence association Sydney.
• MS multiple sclerosis.
• Child’s vision Australia authorised representative.
• Breast cancer foundation.
• Men’s cancer prostate.
• Fire fighter’s foundation.
• Westly mission.
• Salvation Army.
• Newcastle floods.
• Nepal earthquakes.
• Cystic fibrosis foundation.
• Starlight foundation.
• Crimes against humanity. – Destiny rescue child trafficking with the APBA
• Missing persons advocacy Member of MPAN.
• Heart foundation.
• Ovarian cancer.
• Autism Australian charities.

She is the director for the “I hear voices” parent support forum for addiction and has also worked alongside the justice system to help prevent criminal activities.

Susan also has her own show car Subaru WRX my05. This car is used in events to raise much needed money at car shows around Australia.
Her much loved charity car is unbeaten in shows.

Susan is a member of the Australian night rider podcast in the events of missing persons with Hedley Thomas. Susan has also been featured on BTL TV with her advocacy and platform. She has also had the pleasure of being featured in the American podcast with Laura Ratliff in Florida. She had Interviews with Edvard Vondra miss Economic world. Along with the American podcast with Alvin Brown Baltimore USA.

Susan is a Global Mentor within the Pageant industry to all Beauty Queens around the world as a featured public figure influencer.

Susan also won many Awards as a Beauty Queen:

• She became the runner up for Mrs Australasia 2014
• Best dressed 2014
• 2016 winner MAQuest Mrs Australia Quest.
• Mrs congeniality
• Mrs Friendship
• 2017 Mrs Continents Australia – Mrs charity award
• 2017 Mrs Earth Air Australia
• 2018 Mrs international Global Australia.
• 2018 won Mrs international global world South Africa.
• 2018 humanitarian international
• 2018 woman of the world.
• 2019 multimedia awards Dubai ambassadors award
• 2019 international beauty queen of the year AGAS
• Mrs Universe inaugural Carla Beauty.
• 2019 Humanitarian of the year top 4.
• 2019 Philippines Top Honour Awards

Susan also had the pleasure of being featured in many Magazines:

• Australasia official
• Hunter creative
• Wea Hunter magazine
• Global Elite Queens magazine
• Newcastle weekly
• The African Migrant
• MAQUEST Queens Magazine
• Miss Glamour look magazine
• Just to name a few.
• Susan is also an international judge having the pleasure of judging at many events.
• Miss Newcastle NMP
• South Africa Global international
• Dubai Mrs Miss India international.
• Little teen & Glam
• Head judge for Mrs Mr Miss Nepal International.
• Ms World
• Ms Glamorous look
• Miss Supermodel
• Miss Earth
• Miss king Talk Tasmania to come.
• Miss Model international Star central magazine.
• Miss International.

Susan is a brand ambassador for

• BrandyJ swimwear
• Chic me Fashion

She is a member of the AGSA. Susan’s passion has lead her all over the world seeing first hand many disturbing events such as famine and disease. She witnessed first-hand the Apartheid in South Africa, violence and destruction. She was a spokesperson for the terrible situation with the Nepal Earthquake.
Susan helps many other causes around the world.

Sue is now the proud owner of 2 magazines GEQ global Elite magazine and GEM magazine Global Elite media magazine. Her vision is to give a voice to those who inspire to become the best they can in their industry. A platform for those who have dreams regardless of their age and agenda. Her mantra is ‘Be your own kind of beautiful.’

Feel free to check out her magazines

https://globalelite-queens.com

https://www.facebook.com/GEM-Magazine-Global-Elite-Media-Magazine-100885318383344/