Socialite with head, heart firmly in place

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At the races she ups the glamour quotient by miles. Thank God for her Philip Tracy hat that adds that something so needed back in the derby circuit. You see her in society pages looking immaculate from head to toe. Her hairdo is different each time and so is her eye makeup.

It’s difficult to believe that she has a simple outlook to life and very basic values. Having interacted with her several times, over “real” conversation there is much more to Natasha Poonawala than what meets the eye. Having graduated from the London School of Economics this Pune girl takes off those six-inch Giuseppes to get onto chappals and a ponytail to unwind. “My father was very keen on education. He believed that educating the girls in the family amounts to educating the family,” said Natasha who has a major in Psychology with Organisation Behaviour as her main subject. “I realise in any organisation that people are the most important. My education helped me in understanding people better in a workplace or otherwise,” she said matter-of-factly.
Currently, Natasha, along with her family, is in the process of opening a charitable institution. They are already running two schools for the underprivileged and the backward community. “I respect my father-in-law and his contributions towards the needy. His thoughts motivate me. We believe that is more important for us to open education and healthcare centres for the needy than having profit making institutions,” she said. Natasha looks into the overall administration and the small needs of the people. They also sell vaccination at a very low price for the needy, and work together with Bill and Melinda Gates.
Natasha lost her mother-in-law a couple of years ago “I miss her and I do assume a lot of responsibility for my family. My family is my first priority and even though I fly the world over to attend shows and parties that I love doing, it is my family that keeps grounded,” she laughed. “Furthermore I love to take on challenges, the more difficult the project the more I want to do it. Then you feel that you have accomplished something,” she said. Natasha surprises me with her deeper understanding of people. “People judge, but it does not change who you are,” she said. Private jets are a way of life and flying Mumbai-Pune is a constant occurrence. However, once when I was in Pune and we were to fly back to Mumbai, she flew economy without a thought and totally with ease as her private jet was not available. “I can relate to people from all walks of life. I am curious of people and life. I am aware that one day you have it and one day you may not, therefore, you can’t change who you are. Certainly crazy and high fashion clothes don’t either. That again is a façade and another exciting side of life,” she said again matter-of-factly.
She was off for the Mysore Derby the next day and then to Dubai and off to Los Angeles for three days. “I love flying long hours. No phones, relaxation and lots of food,” she giggled. Still very young and a life in front to experience and learn from, “Life has taught me not to judge, but to keep learning and helping people and that’s how you keep growing,” said Natasha with twinkling eyes.