Mumbai’s Dr Shivani Naik made a powerful mark at Mrs Maharashtra 2025 Season 9, organised by DIVA Pageants, held recently, at Hyatt Pune. She was crowned 1st Runner Up in the Gold Category, along with multiple special recognitions celebrating her talent, digital presence, and social impact.
In addition to the runner-up title, Dr Naik was honoured with the subtitles Mrs Talented and Digital Diva, recognising her outstanding performance and communication skills. The Diva Pageants team also acknowledged her contribution towards raising funds for Sparsh NGO, crowning her as a mark of appreciation for her social initiative and community impact.
Sharing her inspiration behind participating, Dr Naik reflected on the deeper purpose that guided her decision. “I have always believed that life carries a larger meaning, and that God nudges us when it is time to move. When I saw the call for Mrs Maharashtra 2025 by Diva Pageants, there was no hesitation. It felt inevitable, like a door opening exactly when I was ready to walk through it. Some opportunities do not arrive to be chosen, they arrive to be claimed.”
Dr Naik credited her unwavering support system for standing by her throughout the journey. She described her husband, Sagar Devrukhkar, as her biggest cheerleader and pillar of strength, and expressed gratitude to her mother-in-law Shveta Sharad Devrukhkar, her mother Aparna Naik, her father, brothers, extended family, friends, colleagues, and students for their constant encouragement. She also acknowledged the guidance and mentorship of Anjana Mascarenhas and Karl Mascarenhas, Founders of Diva Pageants, calling them her guiding stars throughout the pageant journey.
Recalling her stage experience, Dr Naik shared that nervousness quickly gave way to confidence. “There were nerves, of course, but the moment I stepped on stage, they disappeared. I believe that when you prepare with devotion off the stage, leadership shows up when you are on the stage.”
Professionally, Dr Shivani Naik is an Assistant Professor of General Management at Kirit P. Mehta School of Law, NMIMS, with over 15 years of academic and four years of corporate experience. She is also an author, researcher, PhD Co-Supervisor, mentor, trainer in leadership and entrepreneurship, and a voice-over artist, with an extensive portfolio of academic publications, patents, awards, and international recognitions.
Looking ahead, Dr Naik aims to deepen her work in education and mentorship, using platforms like pageantry to help build self-aware, confident women who are conscious of their health, safety, skills, personality, and self-worth, enabling them to stand strong in their own power.
