A journey worth admiring

Here is a story of a woman entrepreneur, influencer, a social worker, TEDx speaker and a mom who hails from Nagpur, who was recently entitled as the Brand Ambassador of Fit India Campaign Shilpa Agarwal.

From being a victim of depression and a suicide survivor to becoming a Brand Ambassador, Shilpa Agarwal stands strong as a Woman Icon and as an inspiration to young girls.

In an interview with The Live Nagpur Shilpa shared her life journey. Born in a traditional Marwadi family with four sisters and a brother, Shilpa tied the knot with Akash Agarwal at a tinder age of 18.

The 12th pass girl had a hard time coping up with the family’s responsibilities. Shilpa said, “Marriage was a new beginning and soon the tables turned upside down for me as it came with a lot of responsibilities and expectations from the in-laws. The next few years were very difficult for me as I was unable to deal with the responsibilities as a wife and a daughter-in-law, of a traditional conservative combined family”.

“While I was still in the process to adopt the new family responsibilities, another one added to it of being a mom.  At the age of 20, I delivered my son, Aryan. It was a hard time for me to blend into the position of daughter-in-law, a wife, and motherhood.

Unable to bear the mental pressure, I decided to end my life at the age of 22. I tried to commit suicide by consuming sleeping pills to get rid of all the problems. Fighting for my life, I was lying unconscious in the hospital but my husband Akash never lost hope in me during that phase as well. Akash understood my situation and supported me with all the love and guided me to start a new life. Having a life partner like Akash and his efforts to make me stand strong again, changed my perspective towards life.

I stood back with all the energy” she said, “But being the 12th pass the job opportunity are less to you. This is when Akash suggested me to join the family business with a clear instruction to work as a team member and not as an owner of Akash furniture. Those words said by him became my powerhouse and soon I started working in the firm. Joining family business was a turning point of my life and since then there was no turning back for me”.

Shilpa with numb eyes further added, “now when I remember all the ups and downs, I realize that I came a long way and was given a second chance for helping others in their difficult times and I am thankful to my family to support me in my decision”.

Months after joining Family business, Shilpa started exploring new job responsibilities and in that process, she got introduced to Jaycee Club, Rotary Club, Vidharbha Industries Association, Vidharbha Management Association, and many other associations for programs based on self-development and business development. These programs was a second another step for Shilpa to develop herself and explore the outside world socially and professionally.

Now Shilpa is not only a successful businesswoman but is a holder of many beauty pageants and represented India in the world’s most prestigious beauty contest for married women, Mrs. Universe in 2016.

Speaking about her recent achievement she said, “I am blessed to be the Brand Ambassador of Fit India Campaign. There are no words which can describe my feeling. I always had a keen interest in fitness and always wanted to motivate young girls and women towards achieving fitness in their daily life”.

Shilpa has even won many prestigious awards ‘Rotary vocational excellence’ award by the rotary club of Nagpur’. And to add a feather to her cap, Shilpa got one of the biggest awards, “best lady industrialist of the region” that she received by the hands of Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan.

“I want to promote women entrepreneurship and being a fitness enthusiast, I want to break the myth that weightlifting is a man’s field. Being involved in many fitness competitions I have learned that the best way to be active and fit is through weightlifting and women can give tough competition to men as well. People should stand out and let their work speak for them” Shilpa added in her message to the young girls out there.

We wish Shilpa to keep inspiring more people and achieve more in life!!!

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