Sat Jan 11, 2025 12:00 AM Last update on: Sat Jan 11, 2025 10:36 AM
Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed
“>
Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed
When NSU graduate Zarin Mahmood landed in Canada in 2017, she had left behind a life of relative certainty to enter the grind of a life far away. Discarding her desire to pursue business, which was her major in university, she jumped on the opportunity to complete a Master’s in Technology Innovation Management at Ottawa’s Carlton University.
However, she never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would pursue pageantry. “It was difficult enough when I switched from business to STEM, and I was mentally struggling. Peer pressure was also eating away at my confidence – I had to make something of myself soon.”
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel.
Photo: Collected
“>
Photo: Collected
After graduation, Zarin found success, joining an IT Firm, and going on to later secure a job as an IT Project Manager in a Canadian governmental institution. “There’s immense pressure for girls my age to get married when we move abroad, but I knew I wanted to do something more, I wanted to inspire.”
Pageantry was the perfect platform for a person naturally gifted with height and a symmetrical face, to do exactly that. She soon became the first runner-up at the “Miss Canada World” competition. “I actually stumbled across this opportunity, but tried to make the best of it anyway.”
Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed
“>
Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed
That leap of faith emboldened the Zarin, who had spent nearly eight years behind a desk in Canada. “For an introvert, it is very difficult to be the centre of attention like that! But the first pageant, which took place in June 2024, gave me a new set of directions for life.”
At this point of the interview, I asked her if she was at all surprised when she beat 45 women to claim the title of Miss North America. With astounding confidence, she replied, “I was somehow confident I would win. A lot of credit goes to my mother, who acted as a mentor, inspiration, and strict coach throughout the entire process.”
At the final junction of the competition, Zarin was asked if she could spend some time with any historical figure, whom she would choose to do that with. “I chose Mother Teresa. I could not think of a better human being off the top of my head – she helped hundreds of thousands of people. Wanting to do somewhat of the same thing, she was the perfect answer.”
Zarin Mahmood’s pageantry titles make her the first Bangladeshi to achieve them. Seemingly at her peak, what does the young IT professional want to do next? “My primary aim has always been to help women. I want to build a platform, where women who are struggling with a new environment, can reach out. At the risk of sounding tacky, I really do want to break barriers, inspire change, and cultivate environments where women can thrive confidently.”
Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed
“>
Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed
Beyond her professional work, she has actively contributed to her community. She served as an executive member of the Greater Vancouver Bangladesh Cultural Association (GVBCA), where she helped organise cultural events, engaged youth, and fostered connections within the Bangladeshi community in Vancouver, BC. Zarin is also a skilled Nazrul Geeti singer, having performed at various events since her school days.
Now to address the elephant in the room – does the newly crowned Miss North America want to join the Bangladeshi showbiz industry? “There’s no such plans at the moment,” laughed Zarin, rather amused. “However, if there is a project that I can leverage towards women’s empowerment, I am all for it.”
Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=678286283ed84ffa891d8bdd4fd5cfe8&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedailystar.net%2Fentertainment%2Fnews%2Fbailey-road-miss-north-america-zarins-inspiring-journey-3795661&c=5592680292586692086&mkt=en-us
Author :
Publish date : 2025-01-10 05:00:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
