Her mother, Aruna Mookhey has always been a friend and confidante who saw to it that that Yukta imbibed Indian values and cultures. Aruna runs a training centre called Rivet Consulting and conducts personality development workshops for people in the corporate world. And Yukta’s father, Inderlal is the managing director of RAGZ, a denimwear brand for men. Inderlal wanted Yukta to become an architect or a doctor and reluctantly allowed her to take part in a beauty contest. But today he’s a proud father who is always there for his daughter as a friend and guide.

Yukta:

As far as I remember my mom always guided and taught me to conduct myself like a lady. Soon after I was born in Mumbai, we shifted to Al Ain in Abu Dhabi where my father was working. After seven years, Mom decided that we should return to India. Initially I wasn’t too happy, but slowly I learnt how important it was to be in your own country.

As a child, whenever I felt lonely and complained about not having any friends, she’d tell me that I was special and that I should be a person with whom others would want to be friends.

I learnt from her to become a strong individual without depending on others. She encouraged me to do well in everything, be it studies or extra-curricular activities. I used to be scared of maths, but she told me to believe in myself and said if other students could do it, so could I. Her encouragement helped me so much that I ended up topping my class.

When I was in college, I told her that I wanted to participate in the Miss India contest. She had no qualms about it, but was worried about how the rest of our joint family would take it. Finally I managed to convince everyone and was given the go ahead.

Whenever I returned home from a training session I discussed it with her. She’d listen carefully and advise me how I should go about doing things better. As a teenager, I had my differences with her. But with time, we’ve grown closer. Now I realise whatever parents say makes sense and you realise this as you grow older. I’ve also learnt that there’s nothing like home and homemade food. So whenever I’m travelling, I ask her to pack some ghar ka khana for me.

I’ve never disobeyed my parents and I don’t remember ever being spanked for misbehaving. If my mother was angry she’d just give me a stern look and that would be it! But I’m glad to have a mother who loves and supports me unconditionally. Whenever I’m offered a new script, she always sits with me and helps me decide whether I should go for it. My mother’s opinion counts a lot in every sphere of my life.

My father is someone I’ve always looked up to because he is a very strong person. Though he was apprehensive about my going for the Miss India contest, he gave in when I told him I really wanted to give it a shot. He just asked me to be firm and conduct myself in such a manner that no man should ever be able to take me for granted. I understood what he meant.

As a father he has always fulfilled his promises. When I was in class 10, he promised to take me for a movie once my exams were over. He stood by his word and I still remember we watched not one, but three movies back to back that day. My dad is someone who has a great amount of patience and I’d like to be like him. Parents shower their kids with so many gifts, but the best gift my parents have given me is the gift of life and for that I’m thankful to them.

Aruna:

As a child when Yukta was old enough to walk and talk, I noticed she was very determined about everything, even if it was tying her shoelaces. I would ask her to let me do it for her, but she would decline. After having managed on her own, she would come to me gleefully and flaunt it. I also saw that she was fascinated by music. Even in the cradle, she would just turn towards the music system as if listening and enjoying it.

She has always been an obedient child and if I said no to something, she wouldn’t go ahead with it. Frankly, I never had qualms about her going for the Miss India contest because when I was young, even I wanted to get into a similar contest but couldn’t. The only thing I was apprehensive about was how our family would react. But Yukta managed to convince everyone and proved herself by winning the contest. I believed one shouldn’t stop ones children from pursing their dreams because they would do it some way or the other.

I brought Yukta up in such a way that she always discussed everything and talked her heart out to me. I have never had any problems with her because she has always been obedient. But one habit I would like her to work on is keeping her room and clothes tidy and organised. She has to travel a lot and is constantly on the move. As a result she just leaves her room in a mess. I’d like her to plan her suitcase and outfits in advance as being a public figure you need to take care of what you’re going to wear.

Inderlal:

Yukta was a very sweet child and now she is even sweeter. As a kid, she was very bright and confident and participated in a number of activities in school. She was a very good speaker in school and never really had stage fright. She wanted to get into films and wanted to begin with modelling. She told me that she wanted to join the Miss India contest. At first, I wasn’t impressed with the idea, but then I thought, why not.

I never thought that she would actually win the Miss India World and Miss World titles. Yukta has proved herself and done me proud. Like every father I would like her to settle down happily with a man of her choice. But yes, I would like to judge the person from a father’s point of view. At the end of the day, I want Yukta to be happy and successful in whatever she does.

Photograph by Gajanan Dudhalkar