Dr.

Connect

What’s the best part of life after 40?

The “unknown” used to scare me, but now I embrace the challenge of life as I now feel like I have embraced my flaws with confidence! Self-confidence is something I always struggled with since I had severe acne at the age of 10 and was overweight. I was made to feel less than often and only seen as the “smart girl”. I’m redefining myself not as a Doctor but as a Bengali Beauty Queen! I am currently writing a book titled “Valedictorian to Bengali Badass” documenting the barriers I faced in life!

What makes you feel fabulous?

Owning my scars both figuratively and metaphorically has been empowering for me this year. I have scars left behind from the severe acne I faced as a child. I also broke away from the shackles of the pressures of a Bengali female, who was raised to be a masculine figure only to be shamed because I embraced my feminine energy and “sexiness” as that contradicted the Muslim faith.

What would you do with $40,000?

I will put $20K towards my nonprofit goals for “HerVoiceNotYours” which will be launched at my 40th Birthday Celebration on November 15th, by then I will truly be 40 & fabulous! My birthday is 11/11, so this year I will make a wish for my visions to come to fruition! The remainder $20K will be to travel to countries that display our family’s roots, Bangladesh and Poland. The journey will celebrate the rebuilding of the four of us as a family. We overcame numerous struggles to remain a family!