Dr Dhanya Sanjeev: From Stethoscope to Sash

From doctor to beauty queen — two vastly different worlds. What moment made you believe you could conquer both?

For me, both a doctor’s coat and a crown are symbols of pride and purpose. While I’ve always admired beauty queens since childhood, I never imagined myself on that path. One day, a patient of mine, an Australian fashion model said during the consultation, ‘You have a wonderful personality and a kind heart. Being a successful international doctor, I’m sure you carry a story of survival. The crown is for amazing human beings.’ I laughed and said, ‘I’m 46 yrs old and I’d have to be born again to walk a ramp!’ She replied, ‘There are pageants that celebrate strength, intelligence, and the stories of women. Age is never a limit.’ That moment shifted something in me. I realized I didn’t have to choose between the stethoscope and the sash and that I could carry both with grace.

You’ve likely faced scepticism for balancing a career in medicine and pageantry. How do you turn criticism into confidence?

Yes, I did face scepticism, even from some of my own family members. Some told me, ‘Pageants are for young girls with model-like physiques. You’re 46, travelling all the way from Australia to Kerala, without any prior experience, it might affect your self-esteem.’

But as always, instead of reacting emotionally, I chose to process criticism with clarity. First, the question of age, I believe ageing is a privilege, not a limitation. If the pageant has accepted my age as part of their criteria, then I am exactly where I belong.

Second, about looking good alongside other contestants – I asked myself, why compare? What if I simply choose to compete with myself and evolve into a version that deserves the crown?

And third, about experience – I took strength from Pegasus’ own principle: ‘Training the untrained talented women  to international standards.’ That gave me courage to attend.

I also had a circle of friends and well-wishers who truly believed in me. They saw my values, my journey, and my potential long before I stepped on stage. That support became my strength.

And above all, I live by a principle from the Bhagavad Gita – ‘Do your duty without attachment to results.’ I stayed focused on learning and growth. I learned not only from mentors but also from the fellow contestants, and even the vibrant young participants in the Miss Queen category.

Confidence for me came not from ignoring criticism, but from rising above it.

Tell us about a powerful woman in your life who shaped the way you lead today — what was her lesson to you?

I’ve had the privilege of meeting many remarkable women in my life, but one who truly shaped the way I lead is a dear friend from medical school who is a psychiatrist and a true humanitarian. Together, we volunteered as young girls at free medical and leprosy camps in the late 1990s, and those early days shaped my understanding of what service truly means.

She instilled in me the values of integrity and empathy not just in medicine, but in life. More than 30 years ago, when it was rare to see bold and fearless advocacy, she would stand up alone against ragging, injustice, and male dominance. She balanced modern thinking with deep-rooted traditions. Even today, her courage continue to inspire the way I work, lead, and live.

 If you had the platform to introduce one social reform in Kerala using your title, what would it be and why?

If I had the platform to introduce one social reform in Kerala using my title, it would be to advocate for mandatory Basic Life Support and Basic Trauma Support training in workplaces and schools.

It is heartbreaking to witness young and productive individuals collapsing from sudden cardiac arrests- on the streets, in public spaces. We’ve seen news of artists collapsing in front of live audiences. We see plenty of people bleeding to death from motor vehicle accidents. In many such cases, lives could have been saved with immediate intervention. In a country like India, where traffic congestion may delay emergency services, the ability of bystanders to respond effectively is crucial.

By equipping school students, office workers, and the public with life-saving skills like CPR and trauma first aid including spinal protection and bleeding prevention for accident victims we can create a stronger, safer society.

If I can bring a social reform through my title, I would strive to make basic emergency response a universal life skill, because life is precious and no one should die in front of a helpless crowd.

In your daily life, when do you feel the most beautiful — and does it have anything to do with makeup or crowns?

I feel most beautiful not when I wear makeup or a crown, but when my patients make me feel that I made a difference in their lives.

I feel the most beautiful when my patients express their gratitude, whether it’s through a heartfelt thank you note, or a kind message.

As a migrant doctor, I had to navigate through biases and challenges. I didn’t grow through advertisements or influence or promotions, I grew up through my hard work and perseverance, my core values and through the ‘words’ spread by my patients. Their gratitude built my reputation as a specialist.

Nothing can match the glow that comes from being trusted, remembered, and appreciated.

We live in a world that often expects women to “choose one path.” What’s your message to women who want to embrace all their passions?

Society may try to define our limits, but we are not meant to fit into boxes. We are meant to break them. Embracing our passion needs courage and determination.

To those women who want to embrace their passions – If your heart is pulling you in more than one direction, please follow it. Passion gives you purpose and fulfillment. Learn the art of balancing multiple skills. Time management and discipline is very essential.

How do your patients or colleagues react to your title — does it change their perception of you or reinforce it?

The crown didn’t change who I am. It revealed another dimension of me that had always been there. The most heartwarming part is that my patients, colleagues, and peers are not just accepting it they’re celebrating it.

Most of my patients and colleagues have responded with immense support and pride. For many, my title hasn’t changed their perception, instead it has simply reinforced it. They’ve always seen me as someone who brings compassion, confidence, and commitment into every role I take.

Some were surprised at first to see a specialist doctor also walk on a beauty pageant stage in heels and a crown. For some that surprise turned into admiration. They say it’s inspiring to see a doctor who dares to step beyond conventional boundaries.

Traditionally, doctors are expected to follow a certain framework- serious, selfless, and often silent about their own dreams. But by stepping into the world of pageantry, I challenged that narrative proving that everyone has the right to express, to shine, and to celebrate life.

And I hope my journey encourages others, especially women, to embrace every side of who they are.

Finally, fast-forward to 10 years from now. What would you want the younger generation to remember about Dr. Dhanya Sanjeev – the woman behind the crown?

Ten years from now, I would want the younger generation to remember Dr. Dhanya Sanjeev not just as the woman who wore a crown, but as the woman who embraced many roles with purpose – a successful doctor, a devoted mother, a resilient survivor, a passionate dancer, and above all, a humanitarian who made a positive impact on countless lives.

I hope to be remembered for my compassion, authenticity, and the courage to walk unconventional paths. I wish to be admired not just for what I achieved, but for how I carried my roots with pride in a globalised world – blending tradition with modernity.

Now that you’ve won the title, what’s next on your list—not as a pageant winner, but as Dhanya the dreamer?

My dream is to win a beauty queen crown on an international platform, and I hope to continue this journey through Pegasus events if I am given the opportunity. I see this as a chance to represent my values, my culture, and my commitment to women’s empowerment on a global stage.

Alongside this, I aspire to achieve further professional milestones, nurturing my passions, and building a network that expands medical knowledge and improves healthcare access for underserved communities. For me, success is about balancing purpose with passion.

Pic Courtesy: pegasus photography/ images are subject to copyright