Beauty queens have often waxed eloquent on their desire to help make the world a better place. But, an Indian American woman, more specifically a professional figure athlete, has concrete plans of promoting the cause of women’s health in the country.

Nicole Nagrani, who hails from Florida, is trying to achieve her dream of helping promote the health of women, especially those from villages. So, donning a two-piece bikini may just help Nicole move closer to that goal.

She won first place in the women’s pro-bikini championship at the ‘Sheru Classic Professional Championship,’ a two-day health expo-cum-fitness and bodybuilding event that began on October 5 and showcased top global professional bodybuilders and figure athletes.

“I have always wanted to work for the women in India,” she said.

“First time I came to India seven years ago when we worked on 17 medical mission trips in the villages of Gujarat for promoting the health of women there. And, I’m hoping this huge platform will provide me the opportunity to further my work in India with women,” says Nicole.

The event, which held its inaugural edition in Mumbai last year, is said to be the third largest professional fodybuilding competition in the world and the first International Federation of Body Building and Fitness (IFBB) Professional League event in Asia, according to organisers.

“Last year the event was for the classes, this time it is for the masses. We want to reach out to the youth and spread the message of healthful living,” says Sheru Aangrish, CEO and co-founder Sheru Classic Production Pvt Ltd.

“Indian health market is huge and the North Indian villages are very health-conscious, especially in Punjab, Haryana where you’d find gyms in villages. We have been trying to work in those markets and reach out to the masses as well as trying to get the youth off drugs and addictions which are ruining the health of India,” adds Sheru.

Jennifer Strobo, Nicole’s fellow athlete and a mother of two, also from Florida, believes that women now can choose to be health-conscious.

“It is ok to take care of one’s body and choose the diet wisely but one must know that beauty is inside. And, “I’m not talking about that muscle-flexing outward fitness, which men have been displaying especially at such events,” says Jennifer who incidentally has a degree in Architecture.

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