New Delhi

By M.A. Farah's own admission, her journey began in the most ordinary of circumstances. Today, it inspires thousands of women to dream beyond their limitations.

Born in a small village in Telangana and raised in a conservative Muslim neighbourhood, Dr. M.A. Farah has built an extraordinary career as a High Court advocate, philanthropist, social activist and beauty pageant winner.

Best known as the First Runner-Up at Mrs India 2021, she has also received numerous honours, including the INDIA Photogenic title, STHREE SAKTHI Award, AIWAA All India Women Achiever Award, Naari Ratna Award, UAE International Award and recognition among FoxStory's Most Powerful 50 Women of India.

Yet, success came only after years of struggle.

Speaking on the Awaz-The Voice podcast, with Gowhar Wani, Farah recalled her modest upbringing.

Farah with schoolgirls in plantiation drive

"I was born in a small village, studied in government schools, and began working as a teacher to support my family financially."

The eldest of four sisters, she grew up in a household sustained by her father's income as a tailor. Though the family had limited means, her father firmly believed that education could transform a girl's future.

"My father always said that education is important because when a girl studies, her future depends on it," she said.

Farah is quick to dispel the belief that success is possible only through private education.

"It's not that education in government schools isn't good. There are good and well-qualified teachers there too."

Having studied in the Telugu medium, she struggled when she shifted to English during her graduation. Instead of allowing the language barrier to discourage her, she relied on determination.

Farah with Muslim girls

"We used to keep the Oxford dictionary with us and translate everything. We had Google, so we learned that way."

A defining chapter of her life began after she married at the age of 19, soon after completing her intermediate education. Marriage brought fresh challenges, including a lack of encouragement from her in-laws. But her father continued to stand by her, urging her to complete her studies.

She earned her degree while caring for her infant son.

"My son was six months old. I had to feed him, go to college, finish as quickly as possible by 11 or 11:30, come back, feed him again, and then return to college," she recalled.

Around the same time, her father's health deteriorated, forcing him to stop working. Faced with financial hardship, Farah and her sisters began taking tuition classes for neighbourhood children.

"When the year ended, our children scored 85%," she said. The students' impressive results earned the family's respect in the village and encouraged Farah to take up teaching to support the household.

Those experiences shaped her understanding of women's empowerment.

Farah speaking with youth

"Every girl should have courage and confidence. Only if one has self-belief can one progress," she said.

For Farah, empowerment is not confined to financial independence. It also means having the confidence to speak up, make decisions and pursue one's dreams.

That confidence eventually took her into the world of beauty pageants. Winning Mrs. India opened the doors to international platforms, where she represented the country as a speaker and social advocate.

"It's a very proud feeling when a girl from India goes to another country as a speaker, represents India, and brings home a World Change Maker Award," she said. "It was an emotional moment for my parents."

Rather than treating pageantry as the pinnacle of her success, Farah used the recognition to expand her social work.

Through the Farah Feed India Foundation, she works in education, healthcare and women's empowerment, particularly in rural communities. Her initiatives include distributing books, school bags and examination kits in government schools, besides organising campaigns on handwashing, health and hygiene.

The foundation also creates awareness about women's legal rights and health issues.

As an advocate, Farah says many women continue to suffer because they are unaware of the protections available to them.

"People don't know their rights. Only when they know their rights will they be able to raise their voices."

Drawing from her legal experience, she advises women facing injustice to first preserve evidence before approaching the authorities.

"The first step is to gather evidence because evidence is everything."

She believes legal awareness is one of the strongest tools women can possess.

Farah has also campaigned extensively for menstrual hygiene in rural areas, where myths surrounding menstruation continue to disrupt girls' education.

"Many people still treat it like an old myth. They say you should sit in a corner and not touch anything," she said.

Rejecting such misconceptions, she added, "This is a normal reproductive process in our bodies. Awareness about it is important."

Her campaigns aim to ensure that girls receive accurate information about menstrual health and are able to continue their education with dignity and confidence.

Looking back, Farah believes that every setback prepared her for a larger purpose. From studying in government schools and overcoming financial hardship to balancing motherhood with higher education, every challenge strengthened her resolve.

Today, her message to young women is simple.

"Believe in yourself. When you believe in yourself, you will be able to recognise your dreams."

She often reminds them that everyone possesses talent, but success comes only to those willing to discover and nurture it.

"When you are hungry, you eat with your own hands; similarly, you have to unleash your talent yourself."

Farah believes that when a woman empowers herself, she transforms not only her own life but also her family and society.

Concluding the podcast with a message in Telugu, she urged women and young people to cultivate self-confidence, work hard and never stop believing in themselves.

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Her own journey—from a tailor's daughter in rural Telangana to an advocate, international award winner and champion of women's empowerment—is compelling proof that circumstances do not define destiny. Determination does.

(The interview was transcribed by Onika Maheshwari)