4 days ago
Lawyer and mother Kasthuri finds new purpose in pageantry
Many women are told that life begins to narrow after thirty.
Marriage, children and the weight of responsibility can make ambitions feel like distant echoes, tucked away on a high shelf.
Kasthuri's most treasured moment came at an orphanage, sharing food, eco-friendly gifts and lessons on protecting the planet.
The to-do lists grow longer, the dreams grow quieter and settling seems safer than stretching for more.
But for some, their thirties and forties are not a sunset; they are a second sunrise.
These years bring clarity, courage, and the conviction that it is possible to raise a family and a cause, to build a career and a movement.
Kasthuri Muniandy, 37, embodies that belief.
A practising lawyer, wife and mother, she has stepped into the spotlight as a top finalist in Mrs Earth Malaysia 2025.
Away from the spotlight, Kasthuri sat with orphanage children, turning simple gifts into lasting lessons on caring for Earth.
Her motivation did not come from a place of glitter and gowns, but from a quiet decision to grow.
"As a lawyer, wife, and mother, I've always focused on others, which is my family and my clients.
"Deep inside, I wanted to use my voice to inspire. When I discovered the Mrs Earth Malaysia platform, I saw a beautiful chance to do that and I took the leap," she told Sinar Daily.
Drawn by the pageant's mission to champion environmental and social change, Kasthuri saw her values mirrored in its vision.
She was no stranger to the stage, having competed in Malaysian Indian Supermodel 2021 and 2022, where she won the championship and several subsidiary titles, including Best Catwalk. But this time, the challenge was deeper.
"Mrs Earth is different because advocacy is at its heart. My earlier experience gave me confidence and stage presence, but this journey demands substance, service, and heart,' she said.
Her most meaningful moment so far happened far from the stage, inside an orphanage.
Kasthuri joins hands with orphanage children in a neighbourhood clean-up, teaching them that even small actions can help build a greener, healthier environment for all.
She brought food and eco-friendly gifts, then sat with the children to talk about small actions that protect the planet.
"Watching their curiosity grow was deeply moving. It reminded me why I am here in the first place: to plant seeds of awareness and hope,' she said.
The experience has expanded her in unexpected ways, moving her beyond the familiar boundaries of courtrooms and client meetings into spaces filled with cameras, audiences, and social causes.
"Personally, I have become more confident and more open in expressing myself. Professionally, my public speaking and leadership have grown, and I have connected with people from many different backgrounds,' she said.
Through it all, her strongest support has come from home. Her husband and son walk beside her in almost every activity.
'My family is my strength. From joining me in awareness walks to visiting orphanages and supporting eco-friendly initiatives, they've been there. This is not just my journey; it is ours as a family,' she said.
As a finalist, Kasthuri plans to continue working with schools and orphanages, using workshops and social media to show that eco-friendly living is not only possible but practical. Her biggest challenge has not been time; it has been silencing self-doubt.
"I asked myself if I was good enough for a platform like this. Then I reminded myself that purpose is more powerful than perfection. I decided to embrace who I am and grow one step at a time,' she said.
If she wins the national crown, Kasthuri already knows her first move: a nationwide 'Green from Home' campaign to help families adopt simple, sustainable habits through education, community events, and digital content.
To women who believe marriage or motherhood signals the end of their dreams, she offers a reminder that life does not stop when circumstances change; it simply takes on a new shape.
"It is never too late. Your experiences make you stronger and wiser. Don't wait for a perfect moment, start where you are, use what you have and grow from there. You are worthy of your dreams at every stage of life," she added.
