Miss Universe® Canada 2008 - The Magic Continues

AGE: 22 | HEIGHT: 5'7" | HOMETOWN: EDMONTON, AB

Kriti Bhatnagar is a 22 years old energetic young woman who has graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of Alberta in November of 2007. Though she has a major in biological sciences and a minor in psychology, Kriti is very artistic and takes great interest in performing to the best of her ability.

Whether it is her dance performances or her keynote speeches for charitable events, she always manages to generate interest and leaves her audience in astonishment.

Sponsored by: Weber Mazda, Jay's Travel, Shiva Group Canada, Selection Boutique, Sofia's Fashions, Foto House, Family and Friends.

Biography (click to open) ±

In the year of 2004, Kriti bagged the title of Miss Alberta South Asia 2004. It came to her with great surprise that as a science student who was constantly surrounded by health care issues, she still had scope in yet another field. She benefited as a keynote speaker in aspiring many youths to have a positive outlook on life. At the age of 17, her extravagant performance on both the academic front and in her community won her the University of Alberta Leadership Award. Her list of achievements did not stop there, as she became the National award holder for two consecutive years.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) honoured Kriti by awarding her two consecutive scholarships to pursue research on Hepatitis B and Cancer in the year of 2004 and 2005. As a result of her research, she is a co-author of a scientific paper on Cancer treatment.

Aside from her academic front, Kriti is very passionate about dance. Upon the request of many parents, she founded her own dance school in May of 2006. She works with kids and adults and operates the school as a choreographer and the director. Her confidence and determination to fight the odds, and her efforts to help others envision their dreams, makes Kriti a remarkable mentor to her students. Combination of beauty with brains, Kriti has the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person she feels she is meant to be and motivates others by reminding them that when all else is Lost, the Future still Remains!

Questionnaire (click to open) ±

Are you currently employed? If yes, what is your occupation?
YES, I am the Program Director of Dhoom Dance School where people of different ages learn east-Indian dance. I founded the dance school in May of 2006 and really enjoy choreographing the performances. Aside from this, I am a sales consultant at a car dealership known as Weber motors in Edmonton.

Have you completed secondary school? If yes, where?
Yes, old scona academic high school of Edmonton, Alberta.

Have you completed university/college? If yes, where?
Yes, I have completed a four-year Bachelor's of Science degree at the University of Alberta.

Languages spoken fluently (please include your native language if English is not your native language)
Hindi and English

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc).
Two years training in "kathak," a classical dance from India. It partially narrative and incorporates heavy use of emotions as it tells a story.

In what sports, if any, have you participated and how long have you participated in each sport?
I used to play volley ball in junior high, so yes it has been a really long time. I was involved in it for about three years and then got really occupied with dancing and my education.

Please list any schools and universities (public/private/graduate/trade or technical) you have or are attending, as well as the area of study, graduation date and any degree or certification you received.
I graduated with a bachelor's of science from university of Alberta in November 2007. I majored in biological sciences and minored in psychology.

What charity/charities have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two years?
I have been an active volunteer at the university of Alberta hospital for the past five years, serving patients in different wards whether it be the paediatric cardiology ward or the family medicine ward.

What would be your "dream job" in life?
To be a marketing executive in the field of entertainment, fashion, or corporate.

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life? Why?
Sai Baba. He is a world renowned spiritual leader whose life and message are inspiring millions of people to lead a more purposeful and moral lives. Though I have never met him in person, but his teachings have made a significant impact on the person I am today. At times, when it becomes difficult for me to hold a positive outlook in life and I get trapped into the feeling of despair. However, I grow stronger as I remind myself of Sai Baba's universal teachings of love, truth, right conduct, peace and non-violence. As a result, I come out such challenging situations with a smile on my face and yet another lesson learned!

What is the proudest personal accomplishment (other than being in this or any other beauty pageant competition?)
There are two things that really stand out for me. The first one is being awarded two consecutive scholarships by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) at the age of 18 and 19 respectively. I spent 4months in 2004 conducting research on a drug formulation to treat hepatitis B and then another 4months in 2005 working on Cancer Immunotherapy. The second proudest personal accomplishment that I cherish a lot is founding my own dance school in 2006 where I teach Indian dance to students ranging from the age of 3 to 60.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My ambition is to be in an executive position in the entertainment or fashion industry, or being the ambassador of a well known and highly respected corporation. I am working towards a masters in business administration (MBA) and am gaining work experience in the business world.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was raised in New Delhi, India in a tightly knit middle class family. I have a brother who is one year younger than me and i used to constantly get into arguments with him, but today he is my very good friend. Being the eldest, I had the responsibility of doing everything right so that I set good examples for my younger brother and cousins to follow. I consider my relatives part of my family as well and I know that their blessings are always with me.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
While completing my degree, I was awarded national scholarship from Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada to research on hepatitis B and Cancer immunotherapy. However, the most interesting job has actually been teaching adults that are twice my age how to dance! Through dance, I discover a child in each one of them and have just as much fun as I do when I am teaching 9-year olds dance moves.

List any volunteering you have done.
I have volunteered at the cross cancer institute, grey nuns hospital and University of Alberta hospital for few years now. Also, I have organized events such as a 30-hr famine to raise funds to combat hunger in the world, and served as a president for Amnesty International club during my high school years.

Where is the most interesting place you have been?
Definitely India, World's second most populous country with a significant amount of cultural diversity. I am not only a fan of its topographical variations, but as well very impressed by its diversity and the many festivities that each culture brings with itself. Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Taj Mahal, and tons of beautiful monuments. This country always leaves me in astonishment!

What makes you unique and different from the other contestants?
My uniqueness lies in the confidence and determination that I have to fight the odds, the conviction I have from within, my stamina that lasts forever, and my dream to be a victorious person. Victory comes in many forms and shapes, I am victorious as long as I'm growing as a person and putting in my best efforts in every challenge I undertake in life. Because in the end, I know that I will be Happy with whatever the outcome maybe and will cherish the experience as a whole.

What is your philosophy of/in life?
The difference between "can" and "cannot" are only 3 letters...3 letters that determine your life's directions. So affirm positive, visualize positive, and believe in the positive because reality is just a mirror of your thoughts, so choose well what you in front of that mirror!

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
I hope to be settled and have a family of my own ten years. I am a very ambitious person and before I step into marriage, I need to have accomplished certain goals that I have set out for myself. In ten years, I see myself as an integral part of a multi-national corporation being the chief executive of my department and a successful leader. Family is very important to me and thus I also see a loving husband and a mischievous kid that keeps me on my toes all the time!

Is there anything you would like to tell us about yourself? Something unique that has happened to you? Some interesting thing about you?
At the age of 17, based on my performance on the academic front and in the community, I was honoured with the University of Alberta Leadership Award. Furthermore, I became a spokeswoman for Edmonton Police's D.A.R.E. program and was reputed as a role model for the youths. In 2004, I was crowned Miss Alberta South Asia 2004, which for me was completely uncalled for! I was a last minute entry in the competition and did not know a thing about pageants. In the end, I was quite surprised and very thankful to God for giving me this opportunity to grow.