MEET AROOJ

Tips to save the planet in the bag

Name: Arooj Bokhari. Arooj means The Exalted.

Currently: I am studying.

Favourite colour: Red.

Favourite designer: Iris van Herpen.

Favourite Lollywood star: Mahira Khan.

Favourite Hollywood star: Scarlett Johansson.

Favourite movie: Bol by Shoaib Mansoor.

Favourite singer: Andrea Bocelli.

Favourite song: All I ask of you by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Favourite TV show: The Crown.

Favourite ice-cream flavour: Strawberry.

Favourite food: Sindhi biryani.

Favourite restaurant: The Ivy Chelsea Garden.

Favourite sport: Cricket.

Favourite sportsperson: Shahid Afridi.

Favourite book: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.

Favourite activity: Reading.

I hang out: With friends over a meal.

I’m freaked out by: Worms and other creepy, crawly creatures.

I need: The love of my fellow Pakistanis.

I want to be: Someone that makes Pakistan proud.

My role models: My mother, since she devoted her whole life to the care and upbringing of me and my siblings and instilled in us the ethic to work hard for our dreams. She was my first teacher and my first love. As a little girl I loved to take part in debates. My mother used to write my speeches before I knew how to. She taught me to debate and today I am a barrister because of her. She helped me with my homework every day and taught me that education can change everything. And I owe my success to the lessons she taught me as a child, tirelessly caring and loving us all. And secondly my father, for his big heart and even bigger love for me. Without him I could not be where I am nor could I dream of achieving what I have. He is the person on whose shoulders I used to sit as a little girl, and now stand to achieve any and all of my dreams. He is the first person to know of my good news such as distinctions in exams. And also the first one I run to when I wake up from a terrible nightmare. For all this and more, I can not put in words the place he holds in my heart.

Tips to save the planet: We must reduce our carbon footprint and to do that, it is essential to begin with ourselves. I no longer use plastic bags, I have sturdy fabric bags at hand for all my needs. They are very pretty and also easy to store. I make sure to save water, and turn the tap off when brushing my teeth, for instance. Moreover, I am an avid gardener and plant flowers and plants that can clean our air as well as encourage bees. I took part in the Kew Gardens & Jo Malone campaign and grew my own English wildflowers. One day I want to have a complete kitchen garden, just like my mother. Furthermore, I am conscious of sustainability in all facets of my life, from shopping to recycling. You can follow these easy steps to start on your journey to combating global warming.

Becoming Miss Pakistan World: Is an exemplary honour and exceptional prestige that is unparalleled. I am very grateful and humble to represent my proud and courageous nation of over 200 million Pakistanis.

In a perfect world: Every child would go to school to get an education to improve their future.

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