A popular adage says that generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need. Pushpika De Silva, Mrs. Sri-Lanka World 2021 bears testimony to the above saying. Apart from being a beauty queen and above all being the devoted mother of an adorable little boy, Pushpika never fails to find time for her social service activities which she has been doing, since she won the prestigious title of Miss Sri-Lanka for Miss. World in the year 2011.
In an interview with the Youth Observer, Pushpika said “more than ever before, my inborn interest and sincere love for social service activities got thoroughly strengthened, notably during the global pandemic situation and I feel that during this grave time, you truly need to extend your helping hand to the needy”.
Meanwhile, in retrospect, Pushpika said that her commitment to social service activities is not a strange phenomenon as it runs in her blood. She said “Daniel De Silva, my father who is popularly known by the name of Jayarathna among his peers, is also involved with social service activities and I follow in his footsteps. You know, as you help the people who are really in need of your help, you naturally become an adored blessing to the entire world”.
Childhood
In the meantime, while indulging herself in a gushing nostalgia, Pushpika reminisced about her tranquil and delightful childhood, spent in the euphoric company of her three older siblings; a brother and two sisters in Polonnaruwa where she was born and bred. She further said “my father is an entrepreneur and I am a director of his business organisation “.
Social activities
Pushpika says that she is utterly delighted to have been able to extend her helping hand to the needy people in Sri Lanka in her capacity as Mrs. Sri Lanka World 2021 and she considers it to be a blessing. “I often believe that you give your all and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing. The greatest gift that you ever give is your honest and generous self and it gives you a tremendous degree of mental solace and happiness, as you see the needy people enjoy with your generous contributions”. Undoubtedly, apart from being a crowned beauty, Pushpika is an amazing mother who understands the true spirit of motherhood. She enjoys her time, spent on generous activities where she extends her helping hand to the pregnant mothers who are in need of help during these scary times of the global pandemic.
In this regard, she said that last July, 65 pregnant mothers were given essential items, required both by the mother and the child during and after child birth. Each pack was worth Rs.7,500 and they were distributed in the Boralasgamuwa area. She said that again in July, as another project towards the ‘Lend a helping hand’campaign, she distributed dry rations to 50 pregnant mothers. Commenting on other charitable causes she embarks on, Pushpika shared that on the past Binara poya day, she was able to donate dry rations for 50 families, living in Bellanwila.
Two hundred families, living in Boralesgamuwa also became the recipients of her generosity. She provided them with vegetables. “ During the past Poson poya day, I am glad that I was able to donate lunch packets to 200 needy people” Pushpika said.
.Being a mother, Pushpika said that she is highly moved by the parentless innocent children who live at children’s orphanages and she often cares for them. In that context, her recent contribution of essential items to an orphanage including children’s toys , with a total worth of nearly Rs.100,000 is notable.
Birthday
Pushpika’s birthday falls on the October 2 and she says that in view of her birthday, she has planned to construct and donate a fully completed house for a single mother, living in Kalutara. The foundation stone was laid on October 2, 2021. At the same time, Pushpika has taken upon herself upon the task of renovating a house in Kalutara.Meanwhile, Pushpika did not forget to talk a bit about her day to day activities during the lockdown.
“During the lockdown, I mostly stay at home; enjoy cooking the favourite dishes of my son. My favourite is ‘Biriyani’ which I myself prepare. My son also loves it. My son attends to his lessons virtually”.
“I have a small but beautiful home garden where my son and I spend our time together planting flowering plants, manuring and watering the flower beds. We have a bird feeding area in the garden. As you see the birds coming there, you feel really happy and that tremendously relaxes your mind”Pushpika said.. “Meanwhile, I am getting ready for the Mrs. World 2022 pageant, where my training is all structured and all other necessary areas are looked upon by an international trainer. I am very careful of my dietary plans and the figure. As a contestant competing for an international pageant,you need to be stable both physically and mentally. I am absolutely optimistic of bringing fame to my beloved country by winning the title of Mrs. World 2022 The finals will be held on January 15, 2022, in Las Vegas, USA.
Last but not least, Pushpika expressing her views on a certain incident that happened recently completely rejected the malicious attempt to defame her good name and her involvement in the matter concerned. She said “A certain responsible media institution carried an inaccurate news item about me and as I promptly informed them, they accepted the mistake that they had done and on the next day itself, they corrected the news bulletin and airedit on TV.
I humbly request the media to be extra careful when carrying such sensitive issues of people and to ensure double checking with the concerned parties regarding the authenticity of news,prior to carrying a news item”.
