Natasha Paracha works for the United Nations in New York. She was born in Islamabad, Pakistan in 1984. She moved to USA with her parents in 1986. On May 23rd, 2008 at the Versailles Convention Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, she got crowned with the Title of the 6th Miss World Pakistan 2008.
This past week, Natasha Paracha was here in Houston. Our Staff at The Pakistan Publication Inc. (TPPI) met Ms. Paracha, her Brother Sharukh and Amin Dewji of Rupani Foundation at the Double Tree Hotel Galleria. Below is the exclusive interview we conducted with Natasha Paracha (NP):
TPPI: Tell us about yourself.
NP: I was born in 1984 in Islamabad, Pakistan. I came to Los Angles (LA) California when I was two years old. My parents are in intentional trade of Diamond Watches. Their brand name is "Fuel". I got my education in LA. I went to Walnut High School in Southern California and then graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in Political Science and Business. Here with me is my 18 years old Brother Sharukh: He goes to the Business School at SMC LA. I also have a sister Rabia, who has just graduated in political science from the University of California at San Diego. Due to the nature of my parents business, I got chance to visit Pakistan every year during all this time. I joined in October 2007 the I.R.E.O (International Renewable Energy Organization) at the United Nations as the Chairman of Pakistan Affairs.
TPPI: Why did you choose to work for the UN?
NP: I have always wanted to be in world affairs career with emphasis on humanity services. UN provides this excellent platform to make a difference in the lives of human beings.
TPPI: What are you doing at present at the UN?
NP: I will be leaving for Pakistan on July 21st to work on Clean Water Projects in various cities and villages in Pakistan. We will start with the Water Quality Issues in Islamabad.
TPPI: You talked about you work at the UN in the Renewable Energies Initiative: But here you are talking about Clean Water: Are you going to consider working in Pakistan on Renewable Energies?
NP: Yes: That is also part of the overall program. Case Studies similar to the ones done in USA and Brazil on Wind and Solar Energies will be done in Pakistan as well. For water purification, we are taking new pump technology to Pakistan to clean water within two days at the water source helping population group of 10,000 people.
TPPI: You have a degree in Political Science: Will you ever consider entering into political arena in Pakistan or USA?
NP: Yes: I am open to this idea and I may as well consider one day entering politics either in Pakistan or USA.
TPPI: Why did you consider going for the Miss Pakistan Pageant and did you face any societal challenges entering this competition?
NP: These yearly competitions started in 2002 and have not been held in Pakistan because may be people do not have clear understanding of this competition.. Many people in our community think that Miss Pakistan competition is may be a beauty contest. No: Actually it is more than that. It involves showing ones leadership and knowledge in general issues facing the contemporary world. That is why the contestants' have to go through a rigorous multi-steps process, answering questions about current affairs to a nine member panel and making presentations on resolving various modern issues and much more.. Most of the questions asked at our Pageant involved the various conflicts across happening across the globe and India-Pakistan relations. Then the eventual winner has to pledge to work on several fixed number of Charity Events Internationally, which was my main motivating factor. If one wants to know more about it, they can contact Sonia Ahmed of Toronto Canada.
TPPI: Considering you were asked the question during the pageant, how do you see the relationship between India and Pakistan at present?
NP: Although the relationships between these two neighbors have always been tense, but recent exchange of visits by intellectuals and people of the entertainment industry have vastly improved the relations.
NP: Although the relationships between these two neighbors have always been tense, but recent exchange of visits by intellectuals and people of the entertainment industry have vastly improved the relations.
TPPI: What do you think are the pressing problems of Pakistan?
NP: There are many education and health issues lingering for too long in Pakistan. Then we have cross border tensions with Afghanistan, violence within the society, poverty, polluted water and environment and so on: There are so many issues needing immediate attention and resolution.
TPPI: Earlier you motioned that you used to visit Pakistan twice a year during holidays: That may not be possible for everyone: What will you suggest in that regard?
NP: True: Traveling every year may not be possible. Even if one does not travel very often, one can still organize things here in the US. Like for instance, I founded the Pakistan Student Association at UC Berkeley. Recently I have started a NGO called "Vision of Development" to implement basic educational and health programs for all and empowerment programs. I will not be re-inventing the wheel, but what I plan to do is work in collaboration with some bigger organizations.
TPPI: Do you have any Internship Programs within your Non-Profit "Vision of Development"?
NP: Yes: There is one exciting opportunity, where I have developed an "Alternative Break Program". It involves taking 50 to 70 high school and college students during vacations initially to the villages around Islamabad and Murree, so as to know there issues of the inhabitants and then to discover resources for them, so as to positively give back to the Pakistani Society.
TPPI: What will be your message to the Youth in our community?
NP: They need to strive and work hard to excel and do very good in whatever positive they do. They need to instill confidence in themselves, as they are all very talented. They should never forget their roots in Pakistan and living in this great country of USA, they should continue to strive to work for the betterment of both the American and Pakistani societies. Regular visits to Pakistan and watching the predicaments with their own eyes is something they should strongly consider. Just like I have this aspiration, every Youth should as well desire this. And that is when you will look back at your life in the future, you must have this satisfaction that Yes: You did make a positive difference in the lives of others.
