Ritisha Niveda is a wife, mother, daughter, social worker, model, entrepreneur simultaneously. "My mother is my inspiration. She is never on rest. Always on her toes and so full of energy. It is because of her push that I take care of my home and work. Yes, I am there to make food for my family and come what may, return home by 4:30 PM in order to spend time with the kids. I love to be active and am associated with BNI, FLO ( FICCI Ladies Organisation ), Young Indians, my NGO NILA and my venture YELLOW DOOR. Modelling was going on since long and back in college, I was a showstopper. However, I never thought that I will get into whatever that I am doing right now. The only thing that I did was to wish for an identity while blowing the candle before I cut the birthday cake at the dawn of my teenage," stated Ritisha, the multi tasker.
Ritisha Niveda is a wife, mother, daughter, model, entrepreneur simultaneously. "My mother is my inspiration. She is never on rest. Always on her toes and so full of energy. It is because of her push that I take care of my home and work. Yes, I am there to make food for my family and come what may, return home by 4:30 PM in order to spend time with the kids. I love to be active and am associated with BNI, FLO ( FICCI Ladies Organisation ), Young Indians, my NGO NILA and my venture YELLOW DOOR. Modelling was going on since long and back in college, I was a showstopper. However, I never thought that I will get into whatever that I am doing right now. The only thing that I did was to wish for an identity while blowing the candle before I cut the birthday cake at the dawn of my teenage," stated Ritisha, the multi tasker.
The busybee was born to Devika and Ramesh of Coimbatore and she did her schooling at Avila Convent. She had to quit her fashion designing programme at PSG at the time of her wedding to Pradeep, a businessman. "One can start anything new in life and its never too late. Qualifications do not matter. You should be prepared to seize the oppourtunities which come your way. Give it a try. I wanted to be a fashion designer first. However I understood that we have to sketch our destiny. I tell my kids Rishu (13) and Arrush (11) that one takes time to discover oneself. My father was a brave man. I was married early and had kids in quick succession. Everything happened when I was too young and I grew up with my kids. My husband was very co operative. I am independent and he trusts me. Spoon feeding does not help at all. My family are confident that I will handle my issues and troubles on my own," added the dynamic entrepreneur. She has never felt her not completing her education to be a handicap. In fact she talks about her educational status in all her speeches.
Ritisha is a frank and outspoken person. She speaks her mind on stage while addressing students. "Our journey is us and if we are not confident of ourselves, none will trust us. I was good with art and therefore decided to use my uniqueness. It began with wedding deco consulting, jewellery designing, clothes designing, ideas on renovations, curtains etc., It was free and voluntary. I did consider taking up image consulting and fashion designing at one time. Vastra was my boutique in Coimbatore. After having my kids, I was happy being a home maker. Life went on. Deep down, I understood that I was born for a reason. This led me into a world of my own. Now, I am into interior design and am lucky to have a good team. Publicity for my venture Yellow Door is through word of mouth. Wish to be a hands on entrepreneur. No point in being a jack of all for its better to be a master of one. I do read a bit while on the move. Its mostly non fiction and biographies. No time to watch TV. Work is my oxygen, I love it and its great stress buster. Sometimes I work in the middle of the night. for work is my hobby," smiled Ritisha.
Nila is an NGO founded by Ritisha. The objective is help women to achieve their dreams."We help people with training and internships. Its helping them to identify their own self. Basically you help them connect the dots by mentoring them. Family friend Reshma called me at a time when Nila was not reaching out fully because I was an entrepreneur only. People needed something more fancy for that was the only way to create an impact. That was when Reshma told me that this pageant was happening and they wanted someone from the south. They were only selecting four people and she felt that I was the right person. It was a United Nations event - Beauty with a cause. The entire conversation took place when I was driving my car and my kids heard her it fully for I was conversing with the blue tooth on in my car. They began to pester me immediately and began stating that they would do their work and study all by themselves. On reaching home both of them went to their dad and convinced him too. Earlier I had refused to participate in Mrs.Coimbatore and Mrs.India. I had told my kids that I will only go for international events. It was a statement made in order to just get away from all this but my kids ensured that I fill up the questionnaire. I got selected and represented India in the event that was held at Kingston, Jamaica," added the workaholic.
Ritisha flew to Jamaica and participated in the event along with 128 participants. It was a 10 day programme. "We were made to do different things. It was to see how we gelled as a group. We began by painting an orphanage school. I made chicken biriyani for the kids. There were other rounds too. The red gown round, hi fashion round, sportswear round and then the finale. Four participants stayed in each room and it was a lot of work. We went to bed during the wee hours of the night and got up very early in the morning. Some of the contestants dropped out. I had to do things on my own and managed each day with minimum make up. An assistant was allotted only at the time of the finishing event. Finally I bagged two titles - Mrs.South Asia and Mrs. United Nations. The first round decided that 80 stay in the fray and only 50 got chosen in the second round. I got the Mrs.South Asia title in the third round when I was one of the 25 chosen ones. At this stage, I thought that I had done some justice to my country. When I heard my name being called out, I just could not believe that I was the winner. I was supposed to take a ' Queenswalk ' after I was donned with a tiara. I just didn't for I was awestruck," shared the winner while offering some fruit juice.
The winner was quick to get movie offers. Companies wanted her to be their brand ambassadors. Ritisha has 30,000 followers on social media today. "I have nothing against movies. However my family is very important. One has to strike a balance in life. I do not want to miss out anything to do with my family. My kids are very important for me. I see myself as an entrepreneur. Modelling and wearing new clothes are just a hobby for me. I am into social media promotions. In the process of signing up with a few companies. Will be their brand ambassador," said the model cum entrepreneur.
An international magazine has chosen Ritisha as one among the top 100 glamourous women. She is also listed and portrayed among 50 most influential women of India who made it internationally. The list includes Nirmala Seetharaman, Mallika Srinivasan, Zia Mody, Rekha, Aishwarya Rai and Hemamalini.
"I built my brand Yellow Door from scratch. Now I want to make furniture from scrap. My kids need me more than ever before. I am trying to do my best everywhere and will keep running around until I have energy. There is no full stop after marriage and there are many oppourtunities for every woman. Plan your work. I plan mine well ahead and finish my work that very day," added the determined multi tasker.
Ritisha Niveda's message to aspiring women - "Be fierce and fearless. Grab the oppourtunity by giving it a try. Be the best version of yourself. Success and satisfaction are sure to follow."