'My greatest fear is living life without purpose’ – Veena Ashiya, Monrow Shoes
(The Proust Questionnaire is a questionnaire about one's personality. It has its origins in a parlour game popularized by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist, who believed that, in answering these questions, an individual reveals his or her true nature.)
Veena Ashiya, Founder of Monrow Shoes is a passionate shoemaker, building one of the fastest growing shoe brands in India. Fashion, food and fitness are fuel for her creative life and she believes in executing her dreams. These were her answers to our Proust questionnaire...
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Fleeting moments when you feel you are living life of your dreams.
What is your greatest fear?
Living life without purpose.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Restlessness.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Manipulation.
Which living person do you most admire?
I admire specific qualities of people like the grit of Serena Williams and the ambition of Coco Chanel.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Shoes. I had 150 pairs even before Monrow.
What is your current state of mind?
Mentally hungry, physically super charged.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Talent.
On what occasion do you lie?
During Xmas -- when little kids in the hood ask “Is Santa Real”.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My feet- they are more like shark fins.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Kindness.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Ambition.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Let’s Slay” instead of “Let’s Try”.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My husband and shoes (in that order).
Which talent would you most like to have?
Stand-up comedy (I am an amateur, honing this talent)
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Transform my restlessness to Zen.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
A growing Brand and my fitness levels
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
I would like to come back as robot to save the world from AI destruction
Where would you most like to live?
Bangalore. I love this city.
What is your most treasured possession?
My Chocolate closet (with 45 rare varieties of hand-picked chocolate from around the world).
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Not experiencing gratitude.
What is your favourite occupation?
Shoe making and Stand-up comedy
What is your most marked characteristic?
Persistence and creativity.
What do you most value in your friends?
Efforts to nurture the friendship.
Who are your favourite writers?
Yaval Noah Harari – He weaves information like a painter.
Who is your hero of fiction?
Batman- I would like to have his car.
Who are your heroes in real life?
I am not into heroes. I am more into specific characteristics.
What is your favourite name?
Pinot Noir- That my puppy’s name.
What is it that you most dislike?
Deception.
What is your greatest regret?
Regrets are like a reverse gear in life! I like moving forward.
How would you like to die?
Accidentally overdosing on chocolate.
What is your motto?
Execute what you are dreaming!
