MRS INDIA INTERNATIONAL QUEEN FINALIST Mrs. Sonali Verma

Congratulations Mrs. Sonali Verma from Mumbai, Maharashtra for being selected as a finalist of Mrs India International Queen 2026! Let’s know more about her. We interviewed Mrs. Sonali and here are her amazing answers:

Name: Sonali Verma

Profession: Director of STEP Foundation (NGO) and also an ARTIST (painter)

Qualification: I am a Geologist and have done Diploma in Journalism.

Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Strengths: My biggest strength is my confidence. Life has given me many roles – daughter, wife, mother, homemaker and social worker – and each role has taught me to stand tall and believe in myself. I am a very patient person, and as a woman who manages home, family and social work, multitasking has become a part of my personality. I do everything with a lot of love, because I am naturally friendly and affectionate.

Weakness: I am very emotional and hypersensitive. I feel people’s pain very deeply. Sometimes it hurts me, but it also makes me more compassionate and more helpful. I cannot see anyone suffer and just walk away – I have to do something about it. That is why STEP Foundation was born.

Likes: I love surrounding myself with people who have a happy and positive mindset. I always keep smiling, no matter what I am going through, because I believe my smile is my strength. I enjoy dressing up and looking beautiful, and I especially love wearing the special perfumes gifted by my daughter Shanya. I love dancing, I enjoy cooking different cuisines for my family and friends, and I find peace in listening to old Lata Mangeshkar songs.

Dislikes: There are a few things I strongly dislike – loud and rude behaviour, narcissism in men, people who take relationships for granted, and gossiping. I believe respect, kindness and honesty are the real jewellery of any human being.

Tell us about your family:

I am married to Sanjay Verma an entrepreneur turned Businessman. He is self-made and I am proud of his achievements.
Blessed to have a daughter, Shanya. She has completed her engineering from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) and her MS in Engineering Management from Purdue University, USA. She is currently working as a Technical Product Manager at Acosta in New Jersey, USA. Very caring and exceptionally beautiful — a true combination of beauty and brains. She always encourages me and makes me feel confident and complete in everything I do. For me, women empowerment begins at home.

My son Aryan, a very handsome boy, has completed his engineering and is now pursuing his MBA from Symbiosis, Pune. Both my daughter and my son are truly superhuman beings, and they are among my biggest achievements.

Quotes that keep you going, motivate you:

• Whatever you are, be a good one.
• If you want something done right, do it yourself.
• If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.
• There is no place like home.
• Life is a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.

Achievements/ Anything you are proud of yourself:

My recent achievement is my participation in INDIAN ART FESTIVAL two years back where I had infused my subject geology with painting on canvas. Using semiprecious stones with resin and acrylic paints I created something different which was a novelty and was highly appreciated. My artworks were published in local as well as in national newspapers like Hindustan Times and Tarun Bharat. I really felt great for my ability to create something so unique.

What is Women Empowerment according to you?

For me, women empowerment means giving every woman the right to education, financial independence, respect and the freedom to make her own choices – whether it is about her career, her body or her relationships. It is not about making women better than men; it is about giving them equal opportunities and a safe environment to grow.

Message for the society:

My message to society is simple: Respect the woman in your life – whether she is your mother, wife, sister, daughter, colleague or domestic help. Encourage her dreams. Share the responsibilities at home. When a woman feels valued, the whole family and society rise.

How will you give back to society after becoming a Queen?

If I become Mrs India International Queen, I will use this platform to expand the work of STEP Foundation. I want to reach more villages and cities, start skill-development and self-employment programmes for women, create awareness about mental health, domestic violence and legal rights, and support education for underprivileged children. I want every woman to feel that she is not alone – there is a hand always ready to hold hers.

Why have you participated in Mrs India International Queen?

I have participated in Mrs India International Queen to represent every homemaker who has quietly sacrificed her dreams, to show that it is never too late to rediscover yourself, and to give a stronger voice to the women and families I work with through my NGO.

I really want to do something for senior citizens specially those who are neglected and deprived of love and care.

I stand here today not just for a crown on my head, but for confidence in the hearts of many other women.