Name: Ushma Tyagi
City: New Delhi, India
Occupation: TV Anchor/host/Master of ceremony/Fashion Designer/Entrepreneur
ST:
Please tell us briefly about you.
Please tell us briefly about you.
Ushma:
My name ‘Ushma’ means
heat, exuberance and energy, and that’s what in a nutshell would describe me
too.
My name ‘Ushma’ means
heat, exuberance and energy, and that’s what in a nutshell would describe me
too.
As a TV Anchor/host/Master of
ceremony/Fashion Designer/Entrepreneur I have been fortunate to have worked
with some immensely bright minds, hugely popular TV channels and many highly
visible brands brands in my career that spans about 10 years.
ceremony/Fashion Designer/Entrepreneur I have been fortunate to have worked
with some immensely bright minds, hugely popular TV channels and many highly
visible brands brands in my career that spans about 10 years.
To describe my career path , after my
schooling from Ryan International, I pursued graduation in Fashion Design from
NIFD, Delhi, MBA in Marketing and International Business from IMT Ghaziabad,
and post graduation in Fashion & Apparel Design from NIFT, Delhi.
schooling from Ryan International, I pursued graduation in Fashion Design from
NIFD, Delhi, MBA in Marketing and International Business from IMT Ghaziabad,
and post graduation in Fashion & Apparel Design from NIFT, Delhi.
Quite naturally I oriented myself
towards organizing and curating numerous fashion shows across the country like
a fish would take to water.
towards organizing and curating numerous fashion shows across the country like
a fish would take to water.
With my active participation in
dramatics, elocution, personality pageants and debates etc, going on stage and
connecting with audiences big and small came naturally to me. This motivated me
to make anchoring my forte’.
dramatics, elocution, personality pageants and debates etc, going on stage and
connecting with audiences big and small came naturally to me. This motivated me
to make anchoring my forte’.
In a span of about 10 years, I have
had the good fortune to have hosted over 2000 events as an Emcee and have also
helmed some popular TV shows as an anchor. Important landmarks in my repertoire
include highly popular “Twitter Toppers” and “Gossip Girl” shows on Tensports
and regular conclaves for India Today/Mail Today group.
had the good fortune to have hosted over 2000 events as an Emcee and have also
helmed some popular TV shows as an anchor. Important landmarks in my repertoire
include highly popular “Twitter Toppers” and “Gossip Girl” shows on Tensports
and regular conclaves for India Today/Mail Today group.
Currently I am hosting the “Kent
Howzzat Roundup” that premieres the days cricket match between India, Srilanka and Bangladesh
“Hero Nidahas Trophy” and is aired live on D Sport, Rishtey Cineplex
and Rishtey Cineplex HD
Howzzat Roundup” that premieres the days cricket match between India, Srilanka and Bangladesh
“Hero Nidahas Trophy” and is aired live on D Sport, Rishtey Cineplex
and Rishtey Cineplex HD
ST:
Who is a woman that inspires you the most and why?
Who is a woman that inspires you the most and why?
Ushma:
Well, at the cost of
sounding a bit cliche’d, I have to say its my Mother. I have all my life seen
here celebrate her role as a mother, wife, sister, daughter and a successful
doctor with ease and panache’. In her determination, I draw inspiration and
strength, and in her endeavours I gain hope and purpose to face the world with
a smile.
Well, at the cost of
sounding a bit cliche’d, I have to say its my Mother. I have all my life seen
here celebrate her role as a mother, wife, sister, daughter and a successful
doctor with ease and panache’. In her determination, I draw inspiration and
strength, and in her endeavours I gain hope and purpose to face the world with
a smile.
She is a rock when it comes to my
ambition, and a rose when its about my emotions. If I could be what I am, and
charter a course of my own, it is that woman who always held my hand so that I
could hold my head high!
ambition, and a rose when its about my emotions. If I could be what I am, and
charter a course of my own, it is that woman who always held my hand so that I
could hold my head high!
ST:
How did you celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day?
How did you celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day?
Ushma:
By doing what I enjoy
most. Hosted Honda’s Woman’s day event in association with Delhi Traffic Police
where I got to interact every day women achievers who’s accomplishments Honda
celebrated. And post the event I made it a point to rush home to my parents and
brother to make a busy day normal as that’s what the spirit of achievement in
my family is all about.
By doing what I enjoy
most. Hosted Honda’s Woman’s day event in association with Delhi Traffic Police
where I got to interact every day women achievers who’s accomplishments Honda
celebrated. And post the event I made it a point to rush home to my parents and
brother to make a busy day normal as that’s what the spirit of achievement in
my family is all about.
ST:
What is the most important message you want to send out to all the women around
the world?
What is the most important message you want to send out to all the women around
the world?
Ushma:
It’s a gift to be a
woman, and a bigger one that you can give yourself is to be a confident woman.
Coming from a middle class family, I had no “so to say – connections” in the
event or media world. For me standing on stage and addressing thousands of
people or being on TV speaking out to millions was not imaginable while growing
up. But it all came my way as an opportunity for me to lap it up not as a dream
but as a challenge. With just confidence and a sense of belief in myself, I
could achieve so much.
It’s a gift to be a
woman, and a bigger one that you can give yourself is to be a confident woman.
Coming from a middle class family, I had no “so to say – connections” in the
event or media world. For me standing on stage and addressing thousands of
people or being on TV speaking out to millions was not imaginable while growing
up. But it all came my way as an opportunity for me to lap it up not as a dream
but as a challenge. With just confidence and a sense of belief in myself, I
could achieve so much.
If I could do this, anyone can.
You don’t need big connections to sell
your work. All you need is the will to work really hard and stay determined on
the path until people notice you for your work and not for the names you are
partying with.
your work. All you need is the will to work really hard and stay determined on
the path until people notice you for your work and not for the names you are
partying with.
Don’t expect men to treat you equally,
don’t expect people to give you your due credit, Don’t fight…Prove it to
them that you are worth it and earn it for yourself.
don’t expect people to give you your due credit, Don’t fight…Prove it to
them that you are worth it and earn it for yourself.
Create your own path, Write your own
story, Fall in love with yourself, Live your own fairytale, Carve a niche for
yourself….Watch the world notice you and savour each moment like a sip of
rich wine which you saved for that special celebration.
story, Fall in love with yourself, Live your own fairytale, Carve a niche for
yourself….Watch the world notice you and savour each moment like a sip of
rich wine which you saved for that special celebration.
ST:
What according to you is ‘women empowerment’?
What according to you is ‘women empowerment’?
Ushma:
‘Women empowerment’ is
a hugely discussed, debated and dissected topic. In my career, empowerment was
never a need, because my parents empowered me with belief in my dreams. Yet I
sometimes do feel a serious need to maintain equality in thought and action
between the two genders. In a male dominated community some voices are subdued,
but nevertheless if we hold our head high and never depend on a man or a woman,
empowerment is just something that comes from within and not required.
‘Women empowerment’ is
a hugely discussed, debated and dissected topic. In my career, empowerment was
never a need, because my parents empowered me with belief in my dreams. Yet I
sometimes do feel a serious need to maintain equality in thought and action
between the two genders. In a male dominated community some voices are subdued,
but nevertheless if we hold our head high and never depend on a man or a woman,
empowerment is just something that comes from within and not required.
ST:
What would you say are the main challenges facing women at present
globally?
What would you say are the main challenges facing women at present
globally?
Ushma:
A global hurdle that
women world over are facing is lack of opportunities and how a particular
profession or role is looked at, disparity in pay scales and expectations as
compared to the male counterparts.
A global hurdle that
women world over are facing is lack of opportunities and how a particular
profession or role is looked at, disparity in pay scales and expectations as
compared to the male counterparts.
I see rampant objectification of women
not by just men but surprisingly by women too which is obviously the result of
their own insecurities; there is a certain “look down” approach that
we fight everyday. This is a huge challenge many of us have to face specially
in the beginning of our careers. However once you prove your mettle the world
view turns 360degrees.
not by just men but surprisingly by women too which is obviously the result of
their own insecurities; there is a certain “look down” approach that
we fight everyday. This is a huge challenge many of us have to face specially
in the beginning of our careers. However once you prove your mettle the world
view turns 360degrees.
In India more so, Women fail to build
up the courage and confidence to grab an opportunity. This happens because as
women we give in to a lot of social pressures because the social fabric is
such. A woman has to undergo a lot of changes and roles in her life, that could
be sometimes the death of the talent and aspirations. There is confusion of
identity both in an inward and outward approach.
up the courage and confidence to grab an opportunity. This happens because as
women we give in to a lot of social pressures because the social fabric is
such. A woman has to undergo a lot of changes and roles in her life, that could
be sometimes the death of the talent and aspirations. There is confusion of
identity both in an inward and outward approach.
While we wish for equality and
empowerment, we strive more for survival which is where the problem lies.
empowerment, we strive more for survival which is where the problem lies.
Rather than creating that seat at the
table for themselves women focus more on fighting for equality and expecting
men to offer them a seat….Its high time that they stop expecting someone to
offer to them their due rights. Women need to create that seat for themselves
at the table!
table for themselves women focus more on fighting for equality and expecting
men to offer them a seat….Its high time that they stop expecting someone to
offer to them their due rights. Women need to create that seat for themselves
at the table!
ST:
Where do you want to see yourself in next 5 years?
Where do you want to see yourself in next 5 years?
Ushma: I read somewhere long back “show god
your plan and hear him laugh!” So thats something I find absolutely true. I
don’t plan or try to see myself on a particular trajectory because that will
never work out. And its more fun heading into the unknown and knowing how to
rule!
your plan and hear him laugh!” So thats something I find absolutely true. I
don’t plan or try to see myself on a particular trajectory because that will
never work out. And its more fun heading into the unknown and knowing how to
rule!
At 18 I was studying fashion, at 20 I
was an emcee addressing CEOs, VPs and Business Heads of multinational brands,
be it my role as an event host for big brands or government organisations or as
a TV anchor on popular TV channels like Tensports, Neosports and now Dsport its
been all living in the present and not a future plan.
was an emcee addressing CEOs, VPs and Business Heads of multinational brands,
be it my role as an event host for big brands or government organisations or as
a TV anchor on popular TV channels like Tensports, Neosports and now Dsport its
been all living in the present and not a future plan.
So instead of planning and wanting to
see me at a particular juncture in life I would rather see myself keep doing
satisfying work, strive to be a little wiser every day, have a smile on my
face, and maybe a glass of slightly chilled Pinot noir in my hand to celebrate
whatever I achieve that particular day.
see me at a particular juncture in life I would rather see myself keep doing
satisfying work, strive to be a little wiser every day, have a smile on my
face, and maybe a glass of slightly chilled Pinot noir in my hand to celebrate
whatever I achieve that particular day.
 |
| Ushma Tyagi |
