Blessy is one of our 2018 Leadership Competition winners. You can check out her winning entry here and her bio below.
Describe yourself in 80 words or less.
I’m a very enthusiastic and lively person, who loves spending time with cultural communities and engaging in their activities. I’ve been chosen as the Lions’ Regional Youth of the Year (2018) and have participated in numerous public speaking events. I’m an aspiring doctor and philanthropist. I’m well acquainted with numerous cultures due to my upbringing, as I’ve moved from Kuwait to Brisbane to Mt Isa to Sydney to Goulburn. I’m bilingual (English and Malayalam).
How old are you, what grade are you in and what community/town do you live in?
I’m a Year 12 student, whose 17 years old and currently residing in Goulburn, NSW.
Why did you enter Country to Canberra’s Leadership Competition?
It was advertised that the Country to Canberra competition winners received leadership and public speaking training, as well as private mentorship, all of which I believe would provide me with a strong foundation from which I can grow as a leader of the future. Residence in rural towns have their drawbacks as well, and these include lack of exposure to bigger scale events and opportunities.
What do you hope to get out of the Power Trip to Canberra?
I hope I will be able to develop my speaking and leadership skills, as well as strong bonds with the other winners of this competition. It’s not what can be materialistically obtained from this Power Trip, but rather the experience itself, which’ll have an impact on my life.
Who is your role model and why?
I actually have a cycle of role models, of whom I look upon depending on the situation. Malala Yousafzai is my most recent role model, she is the epitome of the phoenix who rose from ashes, growing stronger from what had nearly once killed her. Her ability, at such a tender age, to transform the perceptions of the world towards Islamism, and women’s and children’s education is highly empowering to any young female, including myself.
What’s your favourite thing about living in rural Australia?
The strong bonds between members of the community is incredibly empowering, creating a sort of family-like atmosphere amongst the townspeople. People in rural Australia, are much more emotionally and socially invested in one another, allowing for individuals to develop a strong sense of belonging from which they grow their own identities.
What are you passionate about?
I’m most passionate about racial and religious equality within society, especially for females, as they are often the most discriminated and oppressed. Being a first-generation immigrant, I believe that non-white women, unless and until moulded correctly, can often be lead astray into doubting their worth (intellectual and emotional) as well as submitting themselves to the male figures of the corporate world in fear of their points being incorrect, illogical or socially/professionally irrelevant.
What’s your favourite quote?
“From each, according to his ability, to each, according to his needs” – Karl Marx
What’s your main goal/ambition right now?
My biggest ambition is to one day become a doctor, and volunteer with Medicines Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) and hopefully be deployed to countries requiring urgent medical assistance. Another one of my goals is to begin an organisation focused on improving the quality of health of Australia’s aged population.
Tell us a couple of things you do to relax/have fun?
I spend a lot of time participating in cultural events, thus a member of numerous Malayalee organisations. I dance, after probably every 1 hour or so of studying, I spend 20 minutes just dancing in front of the bathroom mirror (despite sounding odd, it is actually a good relaxation technique). I also spend a lot of time socialising with my extended family in India.
How do people stay in touch with you?
@bl3ssy on Instagram (which is where I’m mainly active on). But otherwise, I message, video call or voice call my friends and family members.