Her digital start-up initiative called ‘GHAR’ played a significant role in earning her this recognition
Puja Nagaria, an Australian-born 27-year-old with Indian heritage, is on the verge of realizing a childhood dream she’s carried since watching Miss Universe with her mother. Despite her initial pursuit of a psychology career after completing her studies at the University of Canberra, her passion for beauty pageants remained strong. Now, she’s about to represent ACT in the upcoming Miss Earth Australia competition.
Puja’s journey to this point has been marked by recognition, including winning the title of Miss India-Australia Social Impact in the Raj Suri Miss India Australia 2022 event. Her digital start-up initiative called ‘GHAR’ played a significant role in earning her this recognition. GHAR, which means “home” in Hindi, is a digital platform designed to foster connections among Indian Australians, creating a sense of belonging and community. Through podcasts, resources, personal growth opportunities, and impactful stories, GHAR helps bridge cultural gaps and helps individuals with Indian heritage feel at home.
Growing up in a Western society, Puja felt a sense of disconnection from her Indian roots. This sentiment led her to create GHAR, with the aim of helping young migrants like herself reconnect with their heritage and culture. Despite not being completely fluent in Hindi, her love for Bollywood and her deep appreciation for her roots have kept her tethered to her Indian identity. She hopes that through GHAR, others can also find that connection and sense of belonging.
Through her journey, Puja hopes to contribute to a more diverse and inclusive pageant industry while empowering Indian-Australians to embrace their heritage and stories
As an active participant in the pageant industry, Puja is acutely aware of the lack of diversity and representation in the field. She sometimes grapples with feeling like she doesn’t appear or feel “Australian enough” to partake in these pageants. Nonetheless, she acknowledges that Australia has made progress in embracing diversity and is hopeful about the future of representation. She believes that the significant Indian migrant population in Australia has the potential to break stereotypes and misconceptions on various platforms, including pageants.
Puja aims to dispel misconceptions about pageants. For her, they are not just about beauty but about being an ambassador, a leader, and an informed individual. She emphasizes that pageants require participants to be well-versed in world affairs and current issues, presenting their perspectives with conviction.
Representing ACT in the Miss Earth Australia 2023 competition is a proud moment for Puja as an Indian-Australian. She looks forward to showcasing that pageants encompass more than appearances – they are an avenue for women to lead, educate, and make their voices heard on crucial matters. Through her journey, Puja hopes to contribute to a more diverse and inclusive pageant industry while empowering Indian-Australians to embrace their heritage and stories.
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