Natasha Paracha, Miss Pakistan World 2008 to speak at the NRP Summit

Natasha Paracha, Miss Pakistan World 2008 will be the first Miss Pakistan World to be speaking at the NRP Summit in New York at the Roosevelt Hotel on the 23rd of August 2008.

Natasha Paracha, Miss Pakistan World 2008 and Chairman Pakistan Affairs, UN International Renewable Energy Organization for the United Nations will speak along Imran Khan (Leader of Tehreek-e-Insaaf and Mohammad Mian Somroo (Ex-Prime Minister of Pakistan) at the NRP Summit in New York on the 23rd of August 2008. Other notable speakers include: Masood Jabbar, Hussain Haqqani, Imran Khan, Hasan Naqvi, Sheheryar Azhar, M Saud Anwar, Imran Khand, Dr. Imran Shah, Dr. Hina Chaudhry, Sadiq H. Zaidi, Shahid Khan

Miss Paracha graduated from the University of California Berkeley in 2005 with honors in Political Science and Business. She was the founding member of the Pakistani Students Association at UC Berkeley in 2002. Natasha Paracha is also the founder of a non-profit called Vision of Development in which the goal is to reach out to the poverty stricken regions in Pakistan. She was recently crowned Miss Pakistan 2008 and will be representing Pakistan internationally this November in Miss Earth which will be held in Manila, Philippines. Miss Paracha is the Chairman of Pakistani Affairs with the International Renewable Energy Organization at the United Nations. Natasha’s main aim is to implement various renewable energy projects in Pakistan: Sugar Cane for Ethanol, Wind Farms, Solar Energy, Clean Water, and Reuse of Fried Oil.

Natasha Paracha is the sixth Miss Pakistan World and will be representing Pakistan at the Miss Earth beauty pageant in November this year. Natasha believes in bringing Pakistan on the map in the world of beauty pageants. In her words Natasha said that Pakistan has a lot to give in the entertainment industry and that there are a lot of talented people in Pakistan. Natasha firmly believes that beauty pageants are one way for the women of Pakistan to express themselves, and that it provides a strong platform for young women to showcase their talent.

Person of the Week: Miss Pakistan World Natasha Paracha

Natasha Paracha, 23 and a graduate from University of California at Berkeley was crowned the new Miss Pakistan World in the annual beauty pageant in Toronto replacing Mahleej Sarkari. Paracha outdid a bevy of Pakistani beauties in the pageant to win the crown.

She is presently living in New York and has founded the Pakistani Students Association at UC Berkley and a non-profit organization called “Vision of Development”, which works for the upliftment of women in the backward areas of Pakistan.

The South Asian Times asked her a few questions on her recently found success as Miss Pakistan World.

1. How do you feel after winning the contest?
I was really honored and excited to win the title of Miss PakistanWorld 2008. There were lot of different emotions going through myhead, but I was very happy that the hard work and dedication paidoff.

2. Where were you born and brought up?
I was born in Islamabad, Pakistan. Soon after, my parents decided to moveto Los Angeles for my fathers watch business. However, my parents givemuch importance to knowing our roots, so we divide our time betweenPakistan and the U.S.

3. What are your strengths that set you apart from other contestants?
I feel that in order to represent your country in a pageant thereare strengths that all contestants must possess -beauty,intelligence, poise, humbleness and grace. I feel that I, alongwith all the other contestants of this years Miss Pakistan Worldpageant possessed these qualities. However, I feel that my passionfor life and drive to excel is what shinned during the interviewportion.

4. What are the Challenges you faced while preparing for the pageant?
When I first set out to take part of this pageant, I wanted my platform tobe different. I wanted to promote South Asian designers, stylists,choreographers and interview coaches. It was a struggle at first when Iset out to find individuals from the South Asian community, but it waswell worth it. I feel that it if we work together as a community, we canstrive to achieve greater things.

5. How do you keep yourself fit?
I don't have much of a crazy workout routine or a strict diet. Ijust try to eat healthy and incorporate a variety of fitnessactivities in my everyday routine. Balance and moderation are keyto a healthy and happy lifestyle.

6. Who has been your role model or inspiration?
My mother has been my role model and inspiration to me. She hasbeen an amazing mother and friend. She has taught me theimportance of being a strong female leader in not only thecommunity, but also in college and through my work at the UnitedNations. She has pushed me to strive for higher goals and furthermy successes. My mom has taught me that life doesn't stop, as soonas you have climbed over one hurdle, you must continue to the next.

7. How much has participating in this pageant benefited you?
Participating in Miss Pakistan World has opened many doors for me. Thispageant has provided me with a platform to be an ambassador for mycountry and represent Pakistan at an international level. I am honoredand humbled with my new role.

8. Did you get along well with the other participants in the competition?
Before coming to the pageant, I did not know what to expect fromthe other participants in the competition. We all became so closein the first few days of coaching. It became more of a team thananything else and we all worked together rather than ascompetitors. I feel as though we became like sisters over thecourse of the training and competition.

9. What are your future plans after your victory? Do you plan to make the world a better place to live in, especially for women?
I hope to work hard this year and work towards economic developmentin Pakistan, the alleviation of poverty, foster educationalopportunities for youth and be an advocate for women's rights. Asan ambassador for my country, I hope to work with various charityorganizations, corporate sponsors, and the community to accomplishthese aspirations.

10. Any Advice for future contestants?
My advice to future contestants is to mentally prepare them. Have a platform set for yourself and know why you want to enter this pageant because after you win, you will be a representative for your nation.

Indeed a woman of substance, Paracha is a true beauty with brains.

By Nikki Rattan

Miss Pakistan Pageant is More Than a Beauty Contest: It is About Serving the Humanity: An Exclusive Interview with Natasha Paracha: Miss Pak World 08

Photo by Mani

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.

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.

Miss Pak’s inspiration? Sush!

Photo by Wali Portraits

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Fashion_Shows/Miss_Paks_inspiration_Sush/articleshow/3228430.cms

The current Miss Pakistan World, Natasha Paracha, is into crossovers. Yes, we mean the movies. And Bollywood. Filmmakers from this side of the border are quite keen to have Natasha work in their films, but “it’s too early to divulge their names,” says Natasha, because “talks are still on.” But that’s not her only career plan.

This New York-based lass works as a director of communication in the UN. And since she is in the States, she’ll be meeting the Bachchans when they go there for their Unforgettables Tour. “I’m really looking forward to meeting the whole family,” she says. But while Ash rates highly on her list, Sush is her favourite beauty queen. “I can identify with her and the work she’s doing. That she’s proving to be such a good mother to her adopted daughter is inspiring,” says Natasha. Becoming a beauty queen will give her a platform to show the world that Pakistani women have it in them to “become leaders and role models”, she says, while Bollywood will help achieve her “childhood dream”. “I’ve grown up watching Hindi films. In fact, that’s how I learnt to dance,” smiles Natasha, who remembers meeting Hrithik Roshan a few years earlier. “That was thrilling! I shook hands with him and was so happy for days together!”

Natasha says her parents are “very happy” with her decision. “But the roles I do must be substantial and interesting, like the one that Katrina Kaif did in Namastey London.” And she promises she’ll get rid of her Katrina-like accent. “I’m not worried about that because when I talk in my mother tongue, there’s no trace of it. My parents have made sure that we speak Urdu at home and not English,” she laughs.

“I’d be really happy if I can start with a good film that’s a joint venture between India and Pakistan,” she adds. But while “doing meaningful roles” is high on her list, Natasha’s taking her role as beauty queen seriously. She’ll soon be off to Pakistan for the “Plant a Village programme and to promote causes” close to her heart. “I’m also looking forward to meeting my grandparents there,” she enthuses.

Natasha Paracha from Islamabad

Photo by Wali Portraits

Natasha Paracha from Islamabad has been crowned the new Miss Pakistan World in an annual beauty pageant which, according to its founder, would enable Pakistani women "to stand up for change and progression" in a society that frowns on such events on its soil. The 23-year-old graduate from the University of California at Berkeley replaces Mahleej Sarkari who created quite a stir last month when she called Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf a hunk and expressed a desire to date him. At the sixth annual beauty pageant at the weekend in Toronto, the gorgeous Paracha beat a bevy of Pakistani beauties to win the crown. She will now represent Pakistan at various international beauty pageants. Paracha, who is currently living in New York, founded the Pakistani Student Association at UC Berkley and later a non-profit Vision of Development which works for the uplift of women in rural Pakistan. After her crowning, she said her goal over the next year is not only to represent Pakistan at beauty pageants but also raise awareness that 51 million Pakistanis do not have access to medical care. Tahira Iqbal from Lahore, Nosheen Idrees from Jhelum, Binish Zaidi from Karachi and Samera Bilal from Gujrat (in Pakistan) were declared runners-up at the event. The pageant brought young Pakistani women from around the world to compete for the crown, which many view as anti-Islamic and an insult to Muslim women. "Pakistan's slow changing movement to liberate its women forbids such events from taking place on its soil. Thus, women who want to stand up for change and progression have no choice but make a trip to Canada to compete," said pageant founder Sonia Ahmed. "Pakistani women have always been forced to stay in the background. They have never had the opportunities to have their voice heard and stand for what they believe in. It was only after living in Canada that I realised that women really do have the power to make a difference and make a change,". "We have made history with Pakistan's 1st Miss Bikini- Mariyah Moten, Pakistan's youngest Miss Pakistan- Sonya Zia and now Sehr Mahmood going to Miss Earth. Pakistani women are the most beautiful in the world, but since Pakistan is not discovered yet; more emphasis is laid on this issue."

'मिस पाकिस्तान वर्ल्ड' बनीं नताशा पारचा

Photo by Wali Portraits

इस्लामाबाद की नताशा पारचा ने यहां आयोजित एक सौंदर्य प्रतियोगिता में मिस पाकिस्तान वर्ल्ड का खिताब जीत लिया।कैलिफोर्निया विश्वविद्यालय से स्नातक की डिग्री प्राप्त कर चुकीं 23 वर्षीय नताशा, वर्तमान सुंदरी महलीज सरकारी ताज हासिल करेंगे, जिन्होंने पिछले महीने यह कहते हुए विवादों को जन्म दे दिया था कि वह पाकिस्तानी राष्ट्रपति परवेज मुशर्रफ के साथ डेट पर जाना चाहती हैं।पारचा ने यह ताज कई सुंदरियों को पछाड़ते हुए अपने नाम किया। इस सौंदर्य प्रतियोगिता को जीतने के बाद अब नताशा अंतर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर की मिस वर्ल्ड प्रतियोगिता में हिस्सा ले लेंगी।खिताब अपने नाम करने के बाद नताशा ने कहा कि वह अगले एक साल तक न सिर्फ पाकिस्तान की सुंदरी के रूप में दुनिया भर में अपने देश का प्रतिनिधित्व करेंगी बल्कि 5.1 करोड़ ऐसे लोगों के लिए आवाज उठाएंगी जिन्हें चिकित्सा सुविधाएं नहीं मिल रही हैं।

Miss Pak-World founder wants to hold event on Pakistani soil Islamabad,

June 8 (PTI) The much-talked about Miss Pakistan World pageant may be frowned upon by conservative forces in the country but the event's spirited organiser says the day is not far when it will be held on Pakistani soil.
Having held six successful editions of Miss Pakistan World, Sonia Ahmed, the Toronto-based founder of the pageant, has set her eyes on holding the show in Pakistan.
"Yes, that is definitely the main goal. We have paved the way for it already, so why not have a Miss Pakistan on Pakistani soil?" Ahmed said in an interview to PTI.
"The great thing is that I have got a lot of support from people in Pakistan. They make long distance calls and always say that we are doing a great job for Pakistan and Pakistan's image. Our major sponsors are mostly from Pakistan."
The going may not be easy for Ahmed -- who moved from the port city of Karachi to Canada -- but she is confident of dealing with the "few bad seeds" in Pakistan the way she did in the past.
"No one has threatened us at all, but some people have sent emails saying negative things and trying to convert us to Islam. What I don't understand is that how can they convert born Muslims into Muslims? That I have yet to figure out," she said when asked if she or the participants in the pageants had ever been threatened.
The pageant was recently in the news when last year's winner of the Miss Pakistan World crown, Mahleej Sarkari, said she wanted to date President Pervez Musharraf. Her comments were criticised by conservative elements in the country.
Apart from conservative forces, Ahmed will have to deal with some sections of the local media that have been "making up stories". She said: "My aim with this pageant is bring out Pakistani women and make them bold and strong so that many other Pakistani women look up to them."
Ahmed is not cowed down by people who ridicule her efforts. "Whenever there is an extreme change introduced to people, some do ridicule it only because they are sadists. Our purpose of Miss Pakistan would die down if we did not have people who were opposing it. "We are very strong people and we want Pakistan to change and hence some of these people will have to come to terms with it," she said.
Interestingly, the participants are all well educated – a fact that is never highlighted by the local media. The first title winner, Zehra Sheerazi, is a corporate lawyer, her successor Batool Cheema is a forensic science student and Sehr Mahmood is studying business. The much-talked about Mahleej Sarkari is a business college graduate and the newly crowned beauty queen, Natasha Paracha, has studied politics and is a director of communications at the United Nations.
Some of the beauty queens also want to give a career in Bollywood a shot. Paracha told PTI, "I have been an avid Bollywood fan even before I could walk or talk. I am not only a fan for its role in entertainment, but also because the industry has done a lot for the people of the subcontinent in promoting cross-border friendships between India and Pakistan."
Sarkari too is hopeful of making a career in India's film industry. "Yes, India is a market that I will definitely try out. Whether I make it or not is something I cannot predict at the moment," she said.
Though Sarkari got pulled up by a local channel recently for "bringing a bad name" to Pakistan, she is willing to take the conservative forces head on. "The more they are conservative, the more people like myself will retaliate. We want our Pakistan to be free of all these conservatives, fundamentalists and extremists. When other Muslim countries like Turkey or Dubai can be modern, then why can't Pakistan?" she asked.
Asked if Pakistanis live with double standards, she said, "It is such a pity that they will never know the feeling of freedom. I am free wherever I go, whether it is Dubai or Canada...I proudly said that I love President Musharraf."
Paracha does not fear a backlash if she flaunts her new status as a beauty queen in Pakistan. She said, "This pageant provides an international platform for Pakistani women to illustrate their strength, ambition and good will efforts for our home country. Pageants are not about flaunting yourself alongside a dozen other girls, they are about representing your nation to an international audience and being a positive role model."
The articulate Paracha also said she compares well with Miss World and Miss Universe contestants and hopes that Pakistani women are able to represent their country at such top pageants. "Miss World or Miss Universe contestants not only need to be beautiful and intelligent, but also environmentally responsible, physically fit, politically aware, excellent public speakers and emotionally strong. I have all these qualities and look forward to representing Pakistan in Miss Earth 2008," she said.
"I hope one day in the near future, Pakistani women are able to compete alongside their regional neighbours in the Miss World or Miss Universe pageant." PTI RHL

Natasha Paracha has received several offers to act in Bollywood movies

Photo by Shawn Punch

NEW DELHI : Miss Pakistan 2008, Natasha Paracha has received several offers to act in Bollywood movies.

The 23-year-old beauty queen, Natasha has told that she is at present studying these offers and the scripts and soon will take a decision on them.

“I have received few offers from Bollywood. I want to look into them before taking a call,” she said.

Natasha, who lives in New York and works at United Nations with International Energy Renewable Organization, however, refused to divulge further details about the offers, because of confidentiality.

“Personally I want to do a movie, which deals with issues that are dear to my heart like womens rights and children,” Natasha said.

An avid fan of Bollywood movies, Natasha said she watches a lot and the recent super hit Om Shanti Om and Sarkar Raj are her latest additions to her favourites.

Of all the Bollywood stars, she admires Sushmita Sen a lot and wants to follow her footsteps.

“Sushmita Sen is not only a great actress but she has also been involved in raising awareness about the issues which are dear to my heart,” Natasha said.

“She (Sushmita) has adopted a child. She is definitely somebody whom I admire and follow,” Natasha said.

Using her celebrity status, she has been working in villages of Pakistan specially those of the Pak-occupied-Kashmir through a NGO called Vision of Development, which is run by her. “My goal is to work towards womens issue and children,” she said.

The Pakistani beauty queen

Photo by Shawn Punch


The Pakistani beauty queen, Natasha Paracha, who hails from Islamabad, has been adorned with the crown of Miss Pakistan World on the 23rd of May 2008. Paracha, 23, is a graduate from the University of California at Berkeley. Paracha stole the show and proved her talent. She outshone a bevy of Pakistani damsels and succeeded in adding the feather in her own cap. Now, the beauty queen will represent her country at various other international beauty events.

Presently, she is living in New York as well as works for the United Nations. Natasha Paracha, founded the Pakistani Student Association (PSA) at the University of California, Berkley. She has also opened a non-profit organization called 'Vision of Development', which works for the uplift of women in backward areas of Pakistan.

As soon as she was crowned, she elicited that in the coming year; she would represent Pakistan at beauty pageants and create awareness that nearly 51 million Pakistanis cannot avail medical facilities. Natasha is busy at the moment with media and interviews all around the world and will be focused on representing Pakistan at the Miss Earth pageant this year.

नताशा पराचा: पाक सुंदरी २००८

Photos by Mani

एलान हुवा है के नताशा पराचा को बॉलीवुड फिल्म्स के ऑफर मिले है. २३ वर्ष की नताशा पराचा ने कहा है के वोह बॉलीवुड फिल्म्स के ऑफर बारे मे सोच रही है. क्या नताशा पराचा बॉलीवुड में कदम रखेगी के नही, यह तो नही पता मगर पाकिस्तान की निगाह इस पाक सुंदरी पर ज़रूर है. देखना यह है के लोल्लीवूद पहले बदेगे या बॉलीवुड.

यह है नताशा पराचा मिस पाकिस्तान वर्ल्ड २००८ की तस्वीरें