“If men start believing that we don’t have to treat women differently or we have a different set of salaries or opportunities because she’s a woman, we can easily achieve gender equality,” said Miss World Manushi Chhillar at a fireside chat with Ronnie Screwvala at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 in Hyderabad.
“Women need to banish the thought that they should be treated differently or are being treated differently for being a woman,” she added.
In a candid conversation with Ronnie, Manushi said, “Whatever we all do, we do because we want to bring about a change in the world. Even as entrepreneurs and businessmen, we want change in the society and we want the change to keep getting bigger.”
As an aspiring surgeon, becoming Miss World has not been a detour but an ignition to her grand plans of becoming a surgeon, she said. “The purpose was the same. As a Miss World, you learn so much…You meet all kinds of people… You learn so much and all that will teach me so much to become a surgeon.”
At the GES, where the theme for this year is ‘Women First, Prosperity for All’, she said that for entrepreneurs, communication is everything as it helps people express better, which would make things a lot easier for them.
On being asked what she would say to those who didn’t think it was up to them to make a difference, she said, “Everyone can make a difference, even smiling at someone makes a huge difference. You don’t need to be Miss World to do that.”
On being asked if she would join the film industry, she said it is not something that is on top of her head. Being focused on her role as Miss World, which will involve extensive travel around the world is on her plate right now and she also wants to complete her education. “But I think it is very interesting to be an actor. You get to live another life. But as of now, it is not on top of my mind,” she said.