World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Banu Blaskram Mrs Singapore Worldwide 2nd Runner Up 2021/22.
Full name: Banu Blaskram
Title/Year: Mrs Singapore Worldwide 2nd Runner Up 2021/22
Pageant System: Lumiere International Pageant
Age: 38
Education Level: Nitec in Nursing
Zodiac sign: Taurus
Hobbies: Reading ,playing keyboard, bowling ,travel, dance ,singing, social service ,learn new things & playing basketball .
Platform: Mrs Worldwide
Years competed: 2022
Countries visited: Malaysia ,Indonesia
Likes: Mother’s dish ,Vegetables & fruits
Dislikes: Seafood item &high cholesterol food items
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Please tell us about yourself .
My name is Banu Raj. Age of 35. Mothers of three Lovely children. By profession I works as a Senior Shipping Executive for past five years. My hubby works as Air freight Operation Executive for the past 10 years. We are a small and a cute family of five of us. I love my profession and a person who loves music as well. I spend my quality time with my kids such as outing and plays my musical instruments with them. I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which we had to over come while trying to succeed. I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday. I truly enjoys my job. Wake up every day and love what I do… I honestly do from the bottom of my heart to the depth of my soul. I’m truly happy. I found that ultimately if you truly pour your heart into what you believe in even if it makes you vulnerable amazing things can and will happen. I love the fact that I can make people happy in any form. Even if it’s just an hour of their lives, if I can make them feel lucky or make them feel good or bring smile to a sour face, that to me is worthwhile.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Please tell us about your education.
I am graduate as Nitec Nursing from Simei colleage at 2007. Currently doing Diploma in Freight Management Shipping in Singapore Polytechnic.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What does women Empowerment means to you?
Women empowerment is empowering the women to take their own decisions for their personal development as well as social development. Empowerment of women would mean encouraging women to be self-reliant, independent, have positive self esteem, generate confidence to face any difficult situation and incite active participation in various social-political development endeavors. I believe that Women's should be given equal rights to stand up for their rights and to achieve their dreams.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Tell us about your pageant history .
Well there was one day I came across a advertisement in Facebook of a pageant. I was curious and wanted to have a different kind of challenge in my life. What I felt on that time was pageant is not only about beauty I believe that it is part of self confidence and knowledge too why not I give myself another challenge in my life and I decided to step on a wonderful journey. Firstly I would say the confidence level was the only thing which made me selected for the finals. I told myself never limit your challenges in life. Keep going despite of busy schedule with work and family there were always ups and down. Taking care of 3 children and competing was a big task for me. Yet I told myself I am never going to give up no matter how hard it is. Being a mother I always wanted to show the future generation and my kids being a mother and a women is a blessed. We are strong enough to achieve anything in this world. The pageantry season boost and enhance my confidence level more.
It changes my personality the way that the people around look at me. I came to know many good souls. We were more like a family. We learn new things Catwalk, talk with confidence, walk with pride and heads up. During this journey of mine I would say my family and friends have been a biggest pillar of Mine…
Not forgetting a Guru /My Mentor as always been very instrumental in my career. I really appreciate the mentorship and guidance. From weakness to strength, from grass to grace and from nothing to something. The knowledge you have imparted upon me has been a great asset throughout my career.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
My first pageant which I joined was 2021 as Singapore Beauty Queen. The number one of a million reasons to enter the beauty pageant is to build self-confidence. I felt that there are so many things that I can learn not only about myself, but also about communication skills, leadership, interviews, and poise! I have seen many TV shows of pageantry gives us a window of opportunities, this world ties in with the entertainment world! It opens doors to modeling, acting, performing and much more! Now of course the crown and sash are materialistically the highlights of the competition. The title itself! But something, my Mentor told me is that “You define the crown, the crown does not define you”. Meaning, you make the crown, so do something good, amazing, and make a difference. Your reign is only a year, and in a year, you can do whatever your heart pleases!
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Why did you choose to compete for your current tittle?
These pageants give me a platform to represent myself and what I feel. I can emphasis more on any social evil in society being in a pageant, and also work for it. Helps me to improve my personality and I wanted to show the world for being who I am today. I wanted to make my kids to be proud of my achievement. At the same time, I wanted to inspire all the women’s around the world if I can why not they?
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system, please tell us what is it about?
This pageant system is well and systematically organized by Singapore Founder Justina Quek Siew Bee the Founder of Lumiere International Beauty Pageant. There are in the market for many years and have been organizing many pageants in worldwide. A strong and a trustful organization in the market.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are you being judge on during the competition?
Our judging was mainly judge on our confidents, personality, poise, catwalk, Q&A and our talent round.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Tell us about the experience during the competition?
As I can still remember where I was able to know new friends, gather more knowledge and information from them. We were very helpful among each and other. Everyone was very hardworking and determine to win the crown. Despite many challenges and difficulties yet I was not gonna give up and still had the spirit to fight for my goal.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Tell us about the experience during the competition?
To join a pageant it takes a lot of preparation, you have to prepare for your advocacy/platform to bring, sharpening your PS skills, broaden your knowledge about global issues, you have to raise the voice for the voiceless, its not just being the prettiest or hottest girl in the room. You have to be compassionate and put yourself second as you’re ready to serve and give the real contribution to your community, your people, and your nation. Additionally, it was a great way to build my confidence and self-esteem, and to show other young women that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. Finally, winning a beauty pageant would give me a platform to advocate for causes that are important to me, and to help make a difference in the world.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for?
Volunteering gain my professional experience. Understanding community needs helps foster empathy and self-efficacy.
Self: Volunteers discover my hidden talents that may change my view on my self worth.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What appearances have you done with your title?
Visited homes that needs more care and needs with my team of friend to give as much as contribution we could afford as a team .
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are some of your achievements?
For me my biggest achievement from a broken childhood today I have a cute small family with lots of happiness.
From a medical industry today, I was able to perform well in a shipping industry with so much obstacles I was promoted as a senior shipping executive in a short period of five years.
In 2021, I won the subsidiary title for Mrs Dynamic in Mrs singapore Beauty Queen Lunav.
-Asia Pacific Queen of Substance Diamond Queen award 2022
-Speacial Queen Ambassador at Mrs Singapore Worldwide 2022
-Mrs Courage at Mrs Singapore Worldwide 2022
-2nd Runner Up for Mrs Singapore Worldwide 2022
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
I am a person who has never been afraid of failure learn from it and keep going. I believe persistence is what creates excellence. I hold the prettiest smile which I believe as well a pure heart and a pretty smile will change peoples life too.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as a winner?
I will never forget these moments and emotions. A dream which came true in my life a moment which was filled up joyful tears in my eyes. I proud moment not only for me, my friends and family as well.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What does it mean to you to be a beauty Queen?
Beauty is not only in the face. Beauty is the light in the heart, beauty is the opposite of perfection, it’s about confidence, charisma and character.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How did competing in paegants helped your life?
I get to know many friends and contacts of different countries .develop my networking. Part of my pageant preparation has involved coaching to help with my mind-set and my on-stage presence.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How did pageants helped your self esteem and body image?
I had to be on a strict diet with healthy food and went to gym for three times a week to maintain the shape of the body.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there how does it feel?
It is responsibility. And I am very proud of myself that I can inspire someone. I understand that I have come all the way for good reason. Real queen isn't just fulfilling a position or holding a title, it's providing an inspiring vision, positive action, and an encouraging example.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over?
My confidence, sincerity, hard work and charisma .
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How did you prepare for your competition?
Prepared myself to be mentally strong, maintain a calm situation all the times. Went for fitness to keep fit and maintain healthy diet. Attend training session such as cat walks, public speaking sessions and learn to myself presentable at all times.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
Smile with confidence, train urself to walk more with heels often.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress?
Understand your body type, decide your vibe, get into color theory, get on trend, flatter yourself. Know your audience, get comfortable, stay on budget.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are your tips for winning interviews?
Be confident in yourself. With confidence in who you are, you will be able to present yourself in the best light possible and the judges will really get to know you and why you are best for the crown! Be conversational. Don't memorize answers! Just have a conversation with your judges.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
Honestly I did not do any mistakes. There may be areas where I may need to be polish and require some improvements.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
Self was in the mode of focus on myself. I kept challenging myself only.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Any modeling or acting experience?
Yes have been a model for some professional photographers.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are your plans for 2022/23 as a Queen?
Waiting proudly to represent my Nation in Bulgiria for Mrs Universe 2023. To motivate all the epilepsy fighter to be mentally strong and trained urself to be a fighter.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
To be remembered as a person of courage, confidence and self motivation, who choose to follow my own path and my dreams and gave the best in trying to do so. I want to give my knowledge to the younger generation and be a part of changing the game. Most importantly when you leave this world how many hearts you have touched.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this wonderful interview.
Banu Blaskram Mrs Singapore Worldwide 2nd Runner Up 2021/22, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine,
Interview by Derek Tokarzewski
Owner/Editor in Chief
Mr WorldClass 2023
Mr United Nations 2018
Platform: Women Empowerment
Ambassador to International Foundation for Orphans iffocares.org
Miss WorldClass and WorldClass Ambassadors.