LOS ANGELES: Tania Mehra was born on the East Coast of the United States in the rural town of Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Her parents Naina and Tarun Mehra came to US from New Delhi, India in the late 70′s. She and her two brothers Neel and Tahil are the first generation children of their East Indian parents to be born in the U.S.
Tania will be representing India in the Miss Asia USA Cultural Pageant, an experience that will soon hold precedence amongst a few other pivotal moments in her life. A near fatal car accident in 1998 was an event that would forever change the way she viewed the world and the value of life. Being given a second chance at life made Tania more aware of the importance of the choices she would make, the morals she would believe in and the voice that she had. Believing that it wasn’t her time to leave this Earth she believes that her existence is imperative in being the change she wishes to see in this world. A belief directly derived from one of Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quotes in regards to change.
Tania attended the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee because of its acclaimed Pre-veterinary Program where she also minored in Forensic Psychology. After one year she transferred to Cal State Northridge (CSUN) where she went on to receive a Bachelors in Biology. She also has an Associate’s degree in Arts and Science. For Tania this was a huge accomplishment.
While trying to make ends meet as a college student, Tania embarked upon the world of modeling where she was successful in booking jobs all over the world. This set of experiences has enriched her life, left her well-traveled and exposed to various cultures. It is moments like these that inspired Tania to write. Her poetry has been published in the International Poetry Societies Publications, an accomplishment that lead to future aspirations for the Miss Asia USA delegate. She plans to publish a poetry book in the near future in between a career in the medical field.
With dreams of becoming a wife and mother, Tania hopes to be a strong powerful voice for not only her children but for the world. Always having a philanthropic attitude she has been a firm believer and supporter of non-profit organizations. What began as a pastime would soon become Tania’s purpose in life.
“I refuse to die an insignificant human being who just existed and took up space in this world” she says. Her crusades range from animal rights activism (PETA, Pretties Love Pitties, CPA, Strut your Mutt), feeding the homeless (Stop to Love), volunteering at juvenile hall facilities to aiding in helping woman and children who are forced into sexual slavery (Lotus Outreach).
In her free time she enjoys reading books on self-improvement, cooking and spending time with her family. She best describes herself as loyal, compassionate and strong-willed, qualities similarly found in Indian woman. Indians exudes richness of culture and spirituality. Tania is proud to be a descendant of people who strive to be at peace with themselves regardless of their surroundings.
These are people who connect their mind, body and spirit while striving to continue traditions generation after generation. Having traditions gives Tania a sense of belonging and definition in her American society. She is honored to be representing India. Her country has influenced the world in so many ways and she hopes that winning the Miss Asia USA Cultural Pageant will allow her to unite Asian communities by raising cultural awareness yet breaking stereotypes, one ethnicity at a time.
JS Bedi
India Post News Service
