IN TALKS WITH AN ASPIRING LOCAL MODEL: LANA KHARBHIH

Aspiring Local Model: Lana Kharbhih

IN TALKS WITH AN ASPIRING LOCAL MODEL: LANA KHARBHIH

             The North-East Indian region holds an abundance of young talent who are driven towards recognition and success. Many an inspired and motivated youth have bravely taken the alternative paths in pursuing what they desire as opposed to the less old-fashioned ways of studying to prepare for a 9-5 in the corporate industry or working for the government. North-East India boasts an array of fresh talent and skills which can be witnessed in public shows which are held in the region throughout the year. Shillong, the state capital is the hub of education and alternative lifestyles and it is from here that some of the best talents have emerged, spreading to the far ends of the world, bringing pride and honor to their communities and country.

                 Today, The GSS is in talks with 29 year old, Miss Lana Kharbhih from Shillong, Meghalaya. An aspiring model who dreams big and pursues the art of fashion and modeling passionately and confidently. Lana’s story is not as easy to tell as it is one to hear. She and her younger brother grew up with a single mother after her father abandoned them. Since the age of 15, Lana has been decisive in improving her mother’s, her brother’s and her own life. Most of what she would earn from her modeling shows would go into helping educate her younger brother and contributing to her mother. Staying focused and determined, she has worked hard to reach the quality of life they are now living, she says.
Lana has not limited herself to just modeling and apparels, at the young age of 16, she brought home a silver medal in Archery from the National Games, 2002, held in Punjab, India, and continues to pursue archery as a hobby. She established an educational consultancy, helping place students from North-East India into universities across the country. When asked why she chose education, she said “My parents couldn’t afford sending me to a good English-medium school, I never had the opportunity to learn much out of a Khasi Government school in comparison to the other better schools in town, which is why my communication is weak. I’ve always believed that education is key to progress in this day and age, which is the reason why I chose education, to help provide opportunities to students for higher and/or better education. It fulfills me to help others in the educational field even though I had almost none of it myself, but that’s enough to keep me happy.”

She participated in Miss Shillong, 2012, and has done many ramp shows and photo shoots since this bold move. Here is a snippet of the interview GSS held with her.

GSS: “Why did you choose the modeling industry?”
Lana: “Since education was a far reach for me, I chose modeling firstly as a means of financially supporting my mother and brother, I wanted my little brother to receive the education I couldn’t have. Family and friends also encouraged me saying I had what it takes to be a model which lifted my confidence and with my first step as participating in Miss Shillong, 2012, I have grown only gained confidence. So, instead of looking at what I didn’t have (education), I began to focus on what I had, the attributes of someone in the modeling industry.

GSS: “Do you have any limitations as a model?” Lana: “Yes. I do. I hold bars to the type of clothing I model in. I’m not comfortable with exposing clothing, no bikinis, no skimpy little pieces which expose any part of my body I wish not to expose. I believe in exhibiting the style of clothes and not my body.”

GSS:“How do you deal with an uncomfortable situation during a photo shoot?”

Lana: “So far, I’ve set my limitations with the photographers I work with, so they know what I’m uncomfortable with and not quite been in one. But, if ever I’m forced into an uncomfortable situation, I’d make a direct confrontation and simply speak up telling them that I’m not comfortable doing whatever it is.”

GSS: “In which ways do you believe you can inspire other aspiring models?”
Lana: “I advise aspiring models to have no fears, to exhibit character before anything else and then to exhibit talent because I’d best advise out of my own experiences and these are the top three things I’ve been successful in following which have helped me grow as a model and helped built confidence in myself.”

Lana has come a long way from a struggling young girl supporting both mother and brother single-handedly. Her decisive characters, whether as an archery medalist, a fashion model or an educational consultant, all speak of her as a very enduring, industrious and determined young woman, inspiring us all to focus more on what we have, than to brood over what we don’t have. Here’s to many more years of achievements to Lana, and may we take her as an inspiration.


Written by- Abigail Crystal N-Majaw