Hers is not a fairy tale; it is not an ordinary tale either. From wheelchair to catwalk, Ruchika Sharma’s story is one of grit, determination and perseverance. The celebrity chef, who was wheelchair bound for a year, not only bounced back on her feet but also landed straight on the ramp – and won beauty pageants like Mrs South Asia International 2014 and Mrs India Popular 2013 – all with a five inch screw in her leg. Those who know Ruchika vouch for her positive and never-say-die attitude and those who don’t, will know more about this gutsy woman soon.
Ruchika has set sight on sealing her name in the Guinness Book of World Records for performing the largest facial yoga class. Among the many hats she adorns, Ruchika is a trained facial yoga expert too.
“When I read that Thailand held the record for conducting the largest facial yoga class, I was astound. I felt that since yoga originated in India, records pertaining to it should also have our mark. And I decided that my NGO Being Women would take up the challenge,” gushes Ruchika and adds that the endeavour also aims to highlight a holistic approach towards good health.
“The head has 57 muscles for which there are no exercises. As a result people resort to cosmetic surgeries, botox or fillers. None of these would be needed if people practised facial yoga,” explains Ruchika who snatches 20 minutes to perform it daily.
Talking about the event she says, “The current record involved 220 participants. We are targeting 3,000 participants. This is to ensure that our feat can not be broken easily.” The Guinness Record guidelines also require that for every 50 participants there is one volunteer. Accordingly, the NGO has tied up with Shadan College, Malla Reddy College and various ladies club of the city.
Being ‘super’ Women
Born out of her belief that every woman is a superwoman who fights a new battle everyday, Ruchika decided to help those in need. “I want to empower women. I aim to make them breadwinners of their families, without compromising on their duties as wives and mothers,” she quips.
Her conviction is not hollow. Several women she has trained in chocolate making are earning by selling them at airport stores.
In a year of its existence, Being Women, has not just touched the lives of many women but has also promoted several social issues like violence against women through its 16-day ‘orange hood’ drive, first-ever Telangana all-women car rally for promoting road safety, fund raising for Kashmir and Vizag floods among the various counselling and awareness events.
Quiz Ruchika on how she manages to juggle being a chef, an entrepreneur who runs two culinary institutes, teach livelihood practices and counsel underprivileged women associated with Being Women, hold cooking workshops at schools and corporates and raise an eight-year-old son as well – Ruchika says the key is time management and lessons she learnt from her mother – never give up.
For registration, as a participant or volunteer, visit beingwomen.org.in or contact 9949792400.