Meet Priyanka Kolvekar, The 1st Vegan Model To Win India's Top Model 2022

You may know of her as the stunning vegan model who was crowned India's Top Model 2022, but there’s more to Priyanka Kolvekar than meets the eye. The reigning model who won the pageant held in Delhi on 29^th of May this year is also an animal advocate and rescuer whose road to the spotlight has been a roller-coaster ride.

A  Mechanical Engineer by profession, Priyanka's chosen career path sees her work in the hotel industry in the beach paradise of Goa. But apart from academic excellence, this beauty has several titles under her belt.

Her win in the world of pageantry didn’t come easily, but  Priyanka who also goes by her nickname, Mahi, was a semi-finalist in Miss Mangalore in 2012 as well as Manappuram Miss South India 2014 walked the road with grace and humility.

Things were looking up when she was the second runner-up in Miss Bharat Earth 2018 and bagged the first runner-up award in Indie Royal Miss India 2019 before her 2022 win. With starry dreams and a sparkling vision, she traveled wherever her work took her.

A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS

Apart from her illustrious modelling career, interestingly, Mahi has been vegan for the last 6 years. This stems from her deep love for animals and birds. She has since, moved beyond her passion to make a difference in the world by using her platform to give a voice to voiceless animals. Few people are aware of the fact that this beautiful belle is a well-known animal activist in Hubli.

During the course of her journey, Priyanka got trained and certified in animal aid from one of India’s best NGO for animals and animal aid in Udaipur, Rajasthan. While the rest of us focused on merely keeping up our spirits during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mahi has been on the go.

 “I worked relentlessly towards animal safety and to eradicate hunger. And over the past five years, I’ve rescued over five hundred animals from nearby places like Hubli, Dharwad, Gokarna,” she explains adding that she actively works for animal and their right to live peacefully. It appears that she practices what she preaches for Kolvekar feeds and shelters over fifty animals every day.

 VEGAN LIFESTYLE

Speaking of what motivated her vegan lifestyle, she admits, “My personal mission is to liberate all the animals from human cruelty and greed. On a routine basis, I assist people with treating injured animals and guide them on food requirements. Without letting any animal become a stray, I’ve fed and treated injured cattle, dogs, and cats,” she smiles benevolently.

On a daily basis, Kolvekar uses only animal-free products and practices and promotes a vegan lifestyle. In fact, she is also currently the state coordinator for No Leather Campaign.

“I educate people about the environment and the benefits of having an eco-friendly lifestyle," she quips, adding that she supports afforestation, “I work in protecting our environment and influences people to plant and grow more trees.”

What a beautiful way to grace the lives of voiceless creatures and protect the environment! Well, Mahi is certainly setting a good example as the secretary at People For Animals (PFA) organization in Hubli. The woman who has personally adopted many animals, continues to inspire many others to do the same while living a wholly vegan lifestyle.