Interaction with Sushmita Sen

Former Miss Universe, Actress and model Sushmita Sen was invited by Hyderabad YFLO Chairperson Shilpa Datla and committee on 27 July 2019 to shed light on a crucial yet very unspoken topic – Adoption.

The Diva herself having adopted two daughters at a very young age, was more than happy to be in her birth city, to share her story and battles, and further motivate the audience to understand motherhood beyond “just giving birth”.

The event was hosted at ITC Kakatiya, where Shilpa Datla, Chairperson YFLO gave a brief introduction to the actress and mentioned that “Adoption is as an act of altruism. It is an act of caring about the needs and happiness of other people more than your own”.

Moving on, Sushmita Sen was gifted a green certificate and memento of appreciation before she took the platform and mesmerized a hall full of guests with her story which began with a beauty pageant and ended at a mother. She spoke about the reality she saw after winning the Miss Universe title, the connection she felt with kids, her helplessness of not being able to do more and the idea of adoption at the young age of 19.

Like any parent, her father too thought that she was too young to handle such responsibility, but she proved the world wrong by becoming a mother not once but twice “from the heart”. She explained the tedious long legal battles and urged that these matters be made less complicated to encourage more children being adopted. Her two daughters Renee and Alisa are her pride and joy, she mentioned their career choices and was immensely grateful that they willingly accept her as a mother by their choice.

All in all, it was a brilliant session on a rarely discussed topic with an excellent orator. She answered the guest queries with equal comfort and dilligence. Feedback received post event was nothing short of exemplary. A true Hyderabadi at heart, Sushmita has been to 5 FLO chapters and expressed her desire for always helping and motivating such organizations.