Kannur’s Mili Bhaskar wins Mrs. Canada Earth, promotes yoga for mental health

Kannur native Mili Bhaskar, recently crowned Mrs. Canada Earth 2024, emphasises the importance of yoga in guiding the new generation towards a healthier and more balanced life. Mili, who won the prestigious title at the end of July, believes that introducing yoga to the youth can significantly impact their mental well-being.

Mili, a mother of two, pointed out that 39% of young Canadians suffer from depression, with those aged between 12 and 19 being particularly vulnerable to suicide. She attributes this alarming trend to an overreliance on social media and an inability to adapt to reality. "Yoga," she suggests, "can help the new generation navigate these challenges."

Mili is the first Indian woman to achieve this honour. She hails from Kannur, where her parents, T.C. Bhaskaran and Jaya, reside at 'Madhavam' house, near the old bus stand. Bhaskaran, a former Chief Manager at the Bank of India, and Jaya, a former General Manager at Kannur District Bank, have always supported Mili’s endeavours.

Mili’s academic background is as impressive as her achievements. She graduated in electronics engineering from LBS Engineering College, Kasaragod, and earned a management degree in finance and marketing from Bengaluru's Jain Institute. Additionally, she completed a yoga teacher’s course in Rishikesh, further solidifying her belief in the power of yoga.

Her journey to the Mrs. Canada Earth title began in January 2024, when she participated in the Mrs. Malayali Canada pageant. Among the 52 contestants, including Janani from Kochi, Kithu from Thrissur, and Chitra from Kozhikode, Mili stood out, ultimately winning the crown. She is now preparing to compete in the Mrs. Earth Global pageant.

Despite her success, Mili had little connection with the arts, apart from participating in Thiruvathira during her school days at St.Teresa's Higher Secondary School and Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Kannur. According to her parents, she was always focused on her studies.

Mili married Mahesh Kumar, a Malayali from Delhi while working at Infosys. Her career later took her to Accenture, and she eventually joined Deloitte in Canada, a renowned audit company, where she now serves as one of the directors. Mili has been living in Canada for nine years with her husband and their two children, Tamanna and Armaan, who are students in Canada.