Cover Story | Womaniean Magazine | April 2025 Plus Size Edition
In a world obsessed with narrow standards of beauty, Pramila Poddar is a radiant exception—unfiltered, unstoppable, and undeniably inspiring. A plus-size model and actress hailing from Mumbai, India, she is boldly rewriting the rules of fashion, fame, and female empowerment.
From headlining major runway shows to starring in high-profile campaigns, Pramila’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, courage, and confidence. But beyond the lights and lenses lies a deeper mission—to champion self-love, challenge stereotypes, and create space for women of all sizes to thrive.
The Rise of a Trailblazer
Pramila’s path hasn’t been paved with ease. Navigating a society where beauty is often boxed and limited, she refused to shrink herself to fit in. Instead, she rose—determined, driven, and dynamic.
“My journey proves that age and size are no barriers to dreams,” Pramila shares. “If you’ve got the fire, the hustle, and the heart, you’ve already won half the battle.”
Rejections never dimmed her light; they fueled her ambition. Today, she stands as one of the most compelling voices in the body-positivity movement—a face and force that refuses to go unnoticed.
Breaking the Mold, Boldly
For decades, the fashion world held tight to rigid beauty ideals. Pramila is part of a new generation of changemakers breaking that mold—celebrating diversity, disrupting norms, and amplifying inclusivity.
Through every shoot, every show, and every statement she makes, she sends a clear message: beauty isn’t a number on a tag—it’s how you carry your truth.
More Than a Model: A Visionary in Motion
While the fashion world embraces her presence, Pramila’s vision extends far beyond the catwalk. As an actress, she is drawn to stories that reflect real women—their struggles, their victories, their voices. Her mission is to represent those often unseen or unheard, bringing depth and authenticity to every role.
Her personal mantra? “Never leave your dreams behind.” It’s not just a quote—it’s her lifestyle.
An Icon for the Next Generation
Pramila Poddar isn’t just influencing fashion—she’s shaping culture. Her story is one of persistence, purpose, and powerful transformation. She stands tall not only for herself but for every woman who’s ever been told she wasn’t “enough.”
At Womaniean Magazine, we proudly honor Pramila as a beacon of what the future of beauty and strength looks like—real, raw, and revolutionary.
Here’s to Pramila Poddar: A woman who doesn’t just break barriers—she builds new paths for others to follow.
Empowering Lives: A Journey of Service, Spirituality, and Social Change
In a world driven by ambition and success, few individuals dedicate their lives to the service of others while balancing personal growth and academic excellence. This International Women’s Day, Womaniean Magazine celebrates an extraordinary woman whose journey embodies resilience, empowerment, and transformation. As an Indian Civil Services Coach, Meditation & Mindfulness Trainer, Holistic Healing Facilitator, Counsellor, Writer, Author, Serial Social Entrepreneur, Social Activist, and Political Enthusiast, her life’s mission is to inspire and uplift others.
A Passion for Service: The Beginning of a Purposeful Journey
Her journey into social service began as early as grade 9 when she served as Vice House Captain at St. Joseph’s School. A visit to a local leprosy colony to distribute charitable items and sing Christmas carols left a lasting impact on her young mind. From that moment, she was drawn to serving marginalized communities.
Her college years at Delhi University’s Jesus and Mary College further deepened this passion as she volunteered at the National Association of Blind Women in Delhi, reading and teaching visually impaired girls. This experience laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to social service.
Her academic journey continued at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where she pursued a Master’s in International Relations with a specialization in Politics. During this time, she was selected by Vision India Foundation to intern under MP Shree Vinod Khanna, assessing the challenges in implementing the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign).
Her dedication to women’s empowerment led her to mentor young girls from underprivileged backgrounds through Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA). Inspired by the power of collective action, she launched Daan Utsav (The Festival of Giving) at JNU in 2015, founding Soch for Action, now a registered NGO. Through this platform, she spearheaded numerous initiatives, including:
Cleanliness drives
Old clothes donation campaigns
Awareness programs on the Right to Education Act
Cultural events at the Blind School
Food distribution from hostel canteens
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Resilience
Despite her stellar academic achievements, life presented challenges that tested her resilience. Transitioning from CBSE to ISC Board, she excelled with a 95% in Accounts. However, during her first year of college, she faced a major setback due to personal struggles and lack of support. The experience was a turning point, teaching her the importance of self-discipline, resilience, and spiritual strength.
She found solace in spirituality, undertaking courses from The Art of Living and discovering Sudarshan Kriya, a breathing technique that enhanced her concentration and inner peace. This newfound wisdom propelled her forward, and she soon earned a scholarship membership from the Golden Key International Honour Society, recognizing her academic excellence.
However, another setback awaited—missing the Indian Civil Services Exam by a small margin. This failure could have been the end of her aspirations, but instead, it became the catalyst for her transformation. She embarked on a spiritual journey, studying ancient Indian traditions, Buddhist teachings, and modern energy healing practices.
Determined to turn her challenges into opportunities, she became a UPSC Civil Services Coach, training aspirants in Indian Polity and International Relations. She worked with leading institutions such as:
UPSC Pathshala
Odisha IAS
Superb IAS
BookHive
Her unique teaching methods, shaped by her own struggles and triumphs, helped numerous students prepare for one of the toughest exams in India.
Entrepreneurship and Social Impact
Her passion for social reform led her to establish multiple ventures aimed at creating positive change:
Soch for Action
Focuses on community service, education, and empowerment initiatives.
The Infinite Healing
A platform dedicated to meditation, mindfulness, and holistic healing. Through workshops and training sessions, she helps individuals overcome trauma, stress, and personal challenges.
Tranquil Minds Collective
A mental health initiative bringing together clinical psychologists, homeopaths, and therapists to support mental well-being, trauma healing, and reformative justice in the criminal judicial system.
Edpower India (Ed-Tech Startup)
Aims to provide high-quality coaching for competitive exams, empowering students with knowledge and guidance for their future careers.
Writing and Research Contributions
Beyond education and social service, she is a prolific writer, currently authoring six books and three academic papers on:
Mental health and reformative justice
Women’s rights
Diplomatic convergence for environmental issues
Her work has also been featured on YourStory.com, raising awareness about pressing social challenges and inspiring change.
Finding Balance: The Personal Side
Despite her demanding schedule, she believes in self-care and personal well-being. She finds joy in:
Dancing
Shopping
Traveling (although she wishes to explore more in the future)
Her life is a testament to the belief that one can pursue multiple passions, excel in different domains, and still find time for personal growth and happiness.
A Vision for the Future
As she continues her journey, her goals remain clear:
Empowering women and youth through education and mentorship
Expanding her initiatives in holistic healing and mental health
Advocating for policy changes in governance and social justice
Encouraging individuals to find their purpose and passion through mindfulness and spirituality
Final Words: A Message of Hope and Inspiration
Her life’s journey is a powerful reminder that failures are not the end—they are stepping stones to greater success. From overcoming personal struggles to shaping the future of countless individuals, her story is one of determination, service, and transformation.
This International Women’s Day, she stands as a beacon of hope, proving that a woman can wear multiple hats—an educator, activist, healer, entrepreneur, and leader—all while staying true to her purpose.
Her message to all women is simple yet profound:
“No dream is too big, and no challenge is too great. With courage, perseverance, and faith, you can shape your own destiny and make a lasting impact on the world.“
Meet Vaishnavi Jaypal The Rising Star of Pune’s Fashion Scene
Featured on Womaniean Magazine | February 2025 Edition
In the dynamic world of fashion, where confidence meets charisma, Vaishnavi Jaypalis making waves as Pune’s emerging modeling sensation. With her striking presence, effortless elegance, and relentless passion for style, she is redefining modern beauty standards and inspiring countless young women to chase their dreams fearlessly.
From local runways to high-fashion editorials, Vaishnavi’s journey is a testament to perseverance, hard work, and self-belief. In this exclusive cover story, she shares her experiences, challenges, and aspirations, giving us a glimpse into what it takes to shine in the fiercely competitive modeling industry.
Join us as we dive deep into her story—one of ambition, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
