Ferisha Mohammed....not just a pretty smile

Princes Town beauty, Ferisha Mohammed knows about disappointment. However, she has also learnt how to rise above it and move forward. This young woman tells a heartbreaking story of her short reign as Miss Naturally Fair India, TnT queen. Having taken the title on May 24, 2002, Ferisha received the sad news that the pageant organisers were not prepared to send her to the international competition in Durban, South Africa. Further, the organisers removed her title and passed it to the first runner up when she queried their decision.

Speaking from her home at Sancho Road, New Grant, Princes Town, Ferisha said that this traumatic experience left her in a terrible state of mind. “I could not believe that the organisers had no plans to follow up with their advertised prize. I put all my efforts into this pageant, and with the support of my parents I was able to win the difficult competition. Only to be told that there was no finance in place for the international leg of this competition,” she said. When contacted, show organizer, Mahendra Rampersad said that the organisation has no further comment to make on the subject. As far as he is concerned the matter was settled many months ago. Today, more than a year has gone by and Ferisha has moved on. But she is reminded ever so often about it, when people would stop her on the streets and call her queen. She noted that she is now very cautious of the projects she enters. Ferisha is referred to as the princess of Princes Town by her fans. With a smile that lights up the room, this energetic and outspoken beauty is now deep into culture and social work in the southern districts.

The stunning Ferisha is the cousin of former Miss TnT and host of Scouting for Talent, Nazma Mohammed. She is assertive and focused. Ferisha seeks the interest of children in distress she spends a lot of time reaching out to underprivileged children in the Princes Town area. Ferisha is the only child of Sheriffa and Kamalludin Mohammed, who are in the auto mechanic business. Having successfully completed her CXC ‘A’ Level exams she is now pursuing a Bachelor Art in degree in Literature with a minor in History at UWI. Although she is currently enjoying the summer vacation, she follows a busy schedule of modelling, working in her father’s business and doing charitable work in her area. Ferisha who spent 14 years of her life in Canada said that it was difficult to settle in Trinidad and Tobago because life in Canada was a lot ‘faster’ than in Trinidad. “I would be up and out the house to attend some lecture or school project. Then I would get home to look at television and go out in the evenings to classes. Here in Trinidad the government offices get started at a later time. However, there are many things that she loves in Trinidad, such as the outdoors, the beaches and the food. She feels comfortable at home in Trinidad but she misses the fast life in Canada.

Ferisha is now working with the Princes Town Regional Corporation in a number of projects. She is involved in a sub-comittee working toward the planning of Independence Day celebrations. She is also a member of the Princes Town Theatre Workshop, where she is doing a major drama production for local stages. Apart from all this Ferisha harbours thoughts of becoming a politician in Trinidad and Tobago. “I know I could represent people and I know I want to serve on that level so definitely I am looking toward doing political science at some point in time so that I could pursue my dream,” she said with starry eyes. Recently she was asked to lecture to young people of the Cunjal Youths Group. She spoke to them about getting priorities in order. “I believe that we must set about life with a plan. It might not be the perfect plan but it is a plan. When you work with a plan there is less stress in your life. If one of your projects does not materialise, you can use your time wisely to accomplish something else on your plan,” she notes. This beauty claims that she is blissfully single and enjoying every bit of it. Well, whether it is as a politician or a beauty queen, Miss Mohammed will certainly have a plan.