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Sidra Iqbal
 The vibrant Sidra Iqbal is a true icon for today's Pakistani youth. A prominent television anchorperson with a number of signature shows to her credit. Her confidence and aristocratic style of talking are prominent attributes of her personality. Sidra has also been engaged in several youth training programs. As a public speaker, youth trainer, brand consultant, PR practitioner and anchorperson, she is undoubtedly a role model for the Pakistani youth. Recently Mag4you.com contacted Sidra where she shared the secret behind her successful life. Excerpts:
Please tell us a little about your family and your extracurricular activities?
I am the eldest among my siblings. I have two younger sisters who are both studying. My father was a senior director and a producer in PTV while my mother is a house wife. Since my school days I was always involved in extra-curricular activities and used to take part in debate contests since an early age. I represented Pakistan in English Speaking Union's International Public Speaking Championship in London in 1999. Almost 48 participants from 28 different countries took part in the competition. I won the first prize and I was awarded the winner's certificate at the Buckingham Palace by HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. From then on the journey of my illustrious international tours began. I represented the Pakistani youth at a number of highly esteemed conventions and forums. I was also a part of United Nation's Millennium Young People's Congress held in Hawaii, USA in 1999.
 How has your life changed after receiving an award at Buckingham Palace?
It has changed completely. After winning that competition I attended a number of conventions and forums related to developmental activism. I got a wonderful platform to work with key policy makers, NGOs and academia. We tried to find solutions for international problems like the Millennium Development Goals. We actually went out to look for the real problems of the people. It was that exposure which helped in my overall grooming.
Confidence and maturity comes with age and experience. How did you develop these traits at such a young age?
I think a lot of it has to do with exposure and a bit of it has to do with my family structure. I was brought up in a boy-free-zone. There wasn't any brother to rely on to run the errands. My parents gave me confidence, right training and information to let us open our wings and fly. It was their immense confidence and trust on me that I entered mainstream media as an anchorperson. Today I am an entrepreneur and running my business independently and successfully with immense support from my parents.
You have chosen media as a full time career now, was it a planned effort or an accidental one?
My father was a senior producer in PTV so I literally grew up in the corridors of national television. I never wanted to act or model, so anchoring was the only option for me. After doing MBA I worked for a strategy department of an advertising agency. When they planned to launch a television channel they shifted me to its marketing department which eventually lead me to do a morning show for the same channel.
Who has inspired you in your life?
There are a lot people and personalities whom I am impressed with. I draw inspiration from my mother. For me she is the wisest person on earth with a great solution-oriented approach in life. My nani was an inspiration in her own way, she did matriculation at a time when women were not encouraged to study. I find a lot of inspiration in Benazir Bhutto. She was a young lady who had all the issues and problems that as a woman I can relate to. Still her ambition and vision for Pakistan was so strong that she bent over backwards to help needy people. She had a brilliant connection with people and at the end of the day her martyrdom proved the fact she belonged to people. Internationally I am highly inspired by Oprah Winfrey and Lady Diana. Actually all the people with a cause move me.
 It is a dilemma that our talented youngsters don't get ample opportunities to explore their hidden talent. What do you have to say on it?
I am a big advocate of the fact that if you really want to do something in life, you will have to pull up your socks and get your act together. Life gives everyone a chance to change its destiny. Once the opportunity comes, do not waste it and give it your best shot.
How can we develop positivity in our youth when they witness corruption and prejudice all around them?
Patience is the first requisite to become a positive person. When things are unfavourable just tolerate them. Be patient and wait for whatever you are hoping for.
Do you agree that several personality grooming programs for youngsters that have been recently launched mostly target youngsters from the upper class?
I completely disagree with it. People are making efforts at every level. Youth groups are working in small towns and villages too. But what catches the attention of the media are the glamorous ones with brand sponsorships. I have maximum representation from the middle class stratum in all my events. I got participants from as far as Orangi Town, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Nazimabad, Gulistan-e-Johar, areas inhabited by the middle class people in Karachi. At the same time I also feel that youngsters from elite backgrounds also need a lot of work. They are the cream in terms of resource utilisation. They get everything best over here and still they lack the sense of ownership for the country. They are becoming a victim of brain drain.
Have you ever experienced any setbacks in life? If yes, how do you overcome it?
Setbacks are a normal part of everyone's life and I have experienced them several times. After winning the prestigious English speaking contest the only wish that I had in my heart was to go abroad for higher studies. But 9/11 occured in the same year I applied for admission abroad and my scholarships and visa got cancelled. It was a great setback. The second biggest setback of my life was when I completely lost my voice. At that time I was involved with a lot of voice-centric work. I was so depressed I could see unlimited opportunities around me but I couldn't avail it. But those setbacks taught me how to deal with problems. Now I am able to manage things in a better way.
Is it difficult to speak confidently in front of a large audience?
No, it is not difficult at all and can easily be learnt with time. Even today when I host any program, a little trembling feeling is there in my heart. I think a little fear in my heart and a lot of confidence on face is what makes a wonderful winning combination for any public speaker.
 What comes in your mind with words like passion, ambition and desire?
My passion is Pakistan and my ambition is to serve my country in one capacity or another. My desire is to see Pakistan as a developed country, where people are happy and where young people are not poor in terms of career choices.
What is your motto in life?
To be positive and to welcome every opportunity by giving it my best shot.
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