Question 1: Kindly brief us about yourself.
Answer: Hello, My name is Snighdha Mishra. I was born and brought up in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh and did my schooling from a Central Academy there itself. I shifted here to pursue my degree in B.A. Programme from Maitreyi. I am currently working as a PR head with an NGO named Vishalakshi Foundation. Apart from this, I have a clothing business venture named CLOSET BLUES, which I run with my friend.
Question 2: What is your secret behind maintaining high-level performance and staying motivated all together?
Answer: In my case, the motivation definitely comes from that one spark I felt since my childhood. Being competitive in nature, I believed that I had to be number one in everything. I am also learning Kathak and I had this constant urge to take up dance or sports competition, be everywhere and grab that first place or represent my institution. And, that feeling stays with me even now. I was not successful at everything but you should at least try to be your level best. So one phrase that keeps me motivated is, whatever happens is for a reason, but I should give my best shot. Life might have better opportunities in store for me.
Question 3: Do you recall a time where you had to step out of your comfort zone to achieve an objective?
Answer: Every moment matters and there were many such situations where I had to step out of my comfort zone, Which had painful implications on both me and my family. The most recent one has to be the drastic shift from Lucknow to Delhi. Being the youngest and the most pampered child, it was really hard for my family, especially my mother. Delhi University had been a very long dream of mine and it was evenly hard for me to take this huge step for DU. Had I stayed back in Lucknow, I wouldn’t have the same opportunities as now. Managing myself, internships, and college all alone was the most recent experience of moving out of my comfort zone.
Question 4: We might have got the answer, but can you elaborate if your parents were supportive and how?
Answer: Both my mother and father are a rock in my life; their presence inspired me to pursue my aspirations as a dancer, player, and everything else. I had their support in every decision, and all they wanted was that I never let them or myself down, and that I always give my all to everything. My father had been protective and expressed his worries about my choices at times, but I now feel happy when he brags about his daughter.
Question 5 : Have you had any influential mentors during your journey and how did they shape you?
Answer: My kathak journey was the most unexpected one and again I would like to thank my mom for it. I remember my school subject teacher interacting with my mother during an event and then me embarking on this journey in class sixth. Kathak is graduation in itself wherein you are awarded a masters or diploma degree. But for me it was not about the degree but the peace I felt while dancing, however I am pursuing a 4 year degree in Kathak. There was a transient pause in my journey after tenth due to the demise of my guru but for the past 2 years I have been again learning Kathak under the guidance of Shreya didi. After 6 years of Kathak you are eligible to teach people Kathak. Thus, it is my dream to open up my dance academy named ‘Meraki’ once I settle down financially in my life. My motto has always been to make the audience happy and that's what keeps me going.
Question 6: How do you manage your time effectively?
Answer: Being excited to be everywhere, I joined Nrityakriti, an NGO and started doing internships simultaneously in my first year which was actually hard to manage. So now I divide my time into slots for instance 2 hours per society and then 6 hours for my studies etc. Every problem is manageable, so move ahead with this thought in mind and never take extra on your plate.
Question 7: What did setbacks teach you and how did you transcend the feeling of failure?
Answer: Many-a-times, I would get demotivated easily. When I applied to Maitreyi, initially my form was rejected and that shattered me. I remember my brother talking to the management and then after careful evaluation my application got accepted. But that event made me learn how easily I would give up in such situations. Being patient and not giving up is something I have started to follow.
Question 8: What advice would you give to someone aspiring for success?
Answer: Never pass up an opportunity since each missed opportunity may lead to regret. As the saying goes, "Better oops than what if." It is preferable to fail than to give up on an opportunity. Don't be demotivated by missed/failed opportunities that were out of your control; instead, focus on seizing even the smallest of possibilities.
HIGHLIGHTS-
● Gold medal in SOF International General Knowledge Olympiad.
● Pursuing Diploma in Kathak Dance from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad.
● Scored AIR 200 in NMO (National Mathematics Olympiad.
● Demonstrator at 9th Uttar Pradesh Kung Fu Championship.
● Secured 2nd position in Folk Dance Competition organized by Lucknow University.
● Silver Medal in Inter Branch Sports Meet (Kho-Kho).
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