NEW DELHI: Anchal Sharma, Miss India-Canada 2010, was in Delhi, eating Indian food and dancing to desi beats at a family wedding. “I last came here six years ago. I can’t express my happiness on visiting my homeland again,” she says, “Since I was born and bred in Canada, it makes me a hardcore Canadian, but because of my Indian roots, I am a pakka Indian too. I’d rather put it like this – I have a Canadian heart that beats for India.”
With Canada and India playing in the Cricket World Cup, Anchal is caught between two loyalties. “I’ve made up my mind, I will go with India,” she laughs. Among the cricketers, her favorite is Yuvraj Singh. “Before I go back, I want to see a WC match live,” she says.
Currently, Anchal is raising funds to open an educational institute for displaced children. “The idea is to impart quality education to needy children. The beauty pageant just happened by chance. Though I was flooded with offers from showbiz after the crown, I decided to do what I like. Even today, if I’m invited to an event, I urge people to do something for society.”
Anchal is associated with NGO Free The Children, which opened a school near Udaipur. “I want to do more,” she says. However, she can’t deny being charmed by Bollywood. “I’d want to be a part of the action, but I have certain dreams which I am working on.” And when she does step into showbiz, she’d want to work in a cross cultural venture, she says, adding, “People in Canada love Bollywood music. “Munni”, “Sheila Ki Jawani” and “Desi Girl” are a rage.”
–Courtesy TOI
