TALKING SPACES
December 21, 2021
SATURDAY 10 AM MISS WORLD 2021 PAGEANT DATE CONFIRMED FOR 2022
December 25, 2021
When asked how she would describe herself to our readers, Farah Rumy smiles and says: “I would say I’m an ambitious, courageous and progressive young woman.” And we couldn’t agree more!
Farah made local headlines back in March last year and marked a historic moment when she became the first Sri Lankan woman to be elected to the Cantonal Council of Solothurn, which is the legislature in Switzerland.
Rumy was raised in Sri Lanka until the age of six, after which she migrated to Switzerland with her family. She is a past pupil of Bishop’s College and graduated as a nurse in Switzerland after reading for a Master of advanced studies in Healthcare Management. Eventually, she became a healthcare specialist at the Cardiology Unit of the Cantonal Hospital in Solothurn.
She has maintained a portfolio of exceptional projects in Switzerland and is on her way to becoming a new age millennial leader. And it’s the idea that her Sri Lankan heritage is making a mark in Switzerland that has us raising our national flag with pride!
Farah is the president of a nonprofit charitable organisation called RestEssBar Grenchen, which aims to reduce food waste. Food that’s still good is collected from supermarkets and stored in refrigerators at different locations around the city of Grenchen – to be given free to those who are less privileged and in need of sustenance.
Having always shown an interest in intergenerational projects due to a close relationship with her grandparents and a background in healthcare, Rumy says she values conversations with older people.
As a result, the ‘I Gift A Letter’ campaign – targeting seniors in retirement and nursing homes – was one of her most successful projects. They received letters from young people that contained personal reflections, drawings, poems and stories. These mediums of communication helped ease their difficulties, challenges and loneliness… and spread a little positivity through kind words.
Ashwini Vethakan sits down with the Sri Lanka-born Swiss parliamentarian for a tête-à-tête to learn about her life story, as well as preferences, hopes and aspirations.
"I became interested in political issues around the age of 20. I wanted to be more involved in policies concerning healthcare, pensions, climate change, energy- related issues and the free market economy"
Quick-fire round
Dawn or dusk
Dusk
Netflix or reading
Reading
TikTok or Instagram
Instagram
Spotify or regular radio
Spotify
Text or calls
Calls
Calm or rushed mornings
Calm
Walk or run
Walk
Wholesome meals or junk food
Wholesome meals
Pants or dresses
Both
Dress up or dress down
Dress up
Truth or dare
Dare
Work or play
Work
Stay in or party out
Stay in
Life
Q: What sort of a child and then teenager were you?
A: As a child, I was rather difficult. I was rebellious and always wanted to push my limits. However, this phase gradually passed as a teenag-er, and I became calmer and more poised.
Q: Tell us about your interest in politics... when did this begin – and why?
A: I became interested in political issues around the age of 20. I wanted to be more involved in policies concerning healthcare, pensions, climate change, energy-related issues and the free market economy.
After researching several political parties, I decided to join the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland. I had a feeling that I could make the greatest difference by becoming a member of this party. In doing so, I began working on projects prior to becoming a candidate.
Shortly afterwards, the president of the local party asked me if I would stand as a candidate for the parliamentary elections. Having thought about it for several days, I agreed and decided to run for election – because I want to work conscientiously for society, and repre-sent its interests and concerns in a larger arena.
Q: Your most memorable moment in life so far has been...?
A: My most memorable moment was when I became an aunt. I will never forget carrying my nephew in my arms for the first time.
Q: Do you have any other passions?
A: I love reading, travelling and cooking international dishes, as well as trying out new types of cuisine.
Q: What does being the first Sri Lankan woman to be elected to a Swiss cantonal parliament mean to you?
A: I feel honoured to be elected to parliament and am grateful to all the voters because they put their trust in me.
This vote of confidence is what motivates me to stand up for their concerns and move society as a whole forward. I represent not only the younger generation but also women, healthcare workers, migrants and the South Asian population.
"I love reading, travelling, cooking international dishes and trying out new types of cuisine"
About Farah
BIRTHDAY
28 December
EDUCATION
Bishop’s College
Secondary School (Grenchen)
BSc in Nursing
Master of Advanced Studies in Healthcare Management
FAMILY
Grandparents (Abdul Azeez Mohamad Wazeer and Ummu Razeena Wazeer)
Mom (Izfiya Rumy)
Dad (Rumy Mohideen)
Sister (Nusrath Milhan)
Brother (Imad Rumy)
HOBBIES
Yoga
Reading
Hiking
Trying out new places to eat
ALWAYS WANTED TO BE
The leader of a helping organisation
AMBITION IN LIFE
To make a lasting impact on the world
LOVES
Desserts
Travelling
Movie nights
HATES
Spiders
Traffic
Unproductivity
PET PEEVES
Negativity
Loud eating and drinking
Tardiness
MUST-HAVE THINGS
A portable charger
A good pair of sneakers
A notebook
ROLE MODELS
“My grandparents are my role models because they’re positive and motivational. They are always empowering me to reach higher goals – and guiding me through different stages of my life. My parents are also my role models because they go the extra mile to make my happiness a priority. They’ve given me the courage and strength that I have today, and remind me to believe in myself always.”
MOTTO IN LIFE
You are your greatest investment. Dream the impossible, seek the unknown and achieve greatness.
Career
Q: At what point did you realise that this was what you wanted to do for a living?
A: In my mid-twenties, I realised that I wanted to make a difference; but little did I know that it would be as a politician. I have been in office for over six months; but despite the challenges, I find this position very fulfilling.
Q: What has been the most challenging hurdle in your career so far?
A: The most challenging hurdle was familiarising myself with various parliamentary papers and dossiers. I have learned to be firm and confi-dent in my speeches, and utilise a vast number of parliamentary tools.
Q: Which social issue is your priority right now?
A: I have several focal points that I want to tackle while in office. My main priorities are healthcare, retirement benefits, unemployment, migration and asylum policies.
Q: And the least favourite part of your job is…?
A: Not having a universal formula to solve all the problems we face!
Q: Could you outline a few social initiatives you’ve spearheaded and why they are important to you?
A: I’ve always respected elders especially since it’s they who have laid the foundation for us.
Last year, I launched the intergenerational project called ‘I Gift A Letter’ where young people wrote letters and sent drawings, cards and poems to the elderly in nursing homes and other care institutions – to ease their loneliness during lockdown.
I’m also active on various boards and am the president of the food waste NGO named RestEssBar Grenchen.
We work closely with various grocery stores and collect excess food after closing time, and store it carefully so that members of the com-munity can access it free of charge. Our aim is to reduce food waste – and our initiative has been successful so far.
Q: Is there an activist you wish to work alongside?
A: I prefer to be guided by the cause as I’m a supporter of diverse issues.
Q: Representing South Asians and minority groups has become a part of your identity. What are your plans to support them?
A: Growing up in a migrant family, I can understand and appreciate their wishes and concerns. I try to incorporate this knowledge in my other political activities as well, and do everything I can to be their voice.
Q: And what advice would you give young girls who are aspiring to emulate you?
A: I am all about women’s empowerment! Young people are the future but unfortunately, women are still a minority in political and leader-ship positions. As a result, our issues and concerns are underrepresented. This has to change.
I advise every young woman to look within herself and set personal goals. We all have a purpose in this world. Even though many of us have similar objec-tives, we pursue them in different ways. The journey to get there will require a lot of patience and resilience.
It’s important to know your strengths and weaknesses so that you can build on or adjust for them. I advise women and girls to speak up and follow their passions.
"In my mid-twenties, I realised that I wanted to make a difference; but little did I know that it would be as a politician"
Lifestyle
Q: What is your definition of success?
A: I would say success is being happy and healthy, able to do what you love and surrounded by people who support you.
Q: How would your closest circle describe you?
A: They’d probably describe me as a cheerful, assertive and down-to-earth person.
Q: What are five items you always use?
A: My laptop, phone, headphones, glasses and hand cream.
Q: You left Sri Lanka when you were six. How has this affected your association with the country?
A: Honestly, it has strengthened my bond with my homeland even though I have been living in Switzerland for the past 23 years. I still have many family members and friends in Sri Lanka, and used to visit the island annually prior to the pandemic.
Q: How would you describe the impact of your career on your personal life? Are there any aspects of it that you hope will change?
A: Everything changed after I was sworn in. It has been an educational journey, to say the least. I enjoy a healthy work-life balance but hope to have more time for my private life in the future.
Q: How invested are you in your personal development – such as taking care of your physical, mental and spiritual health?
A: I receive a lot of support from my family and friends, for which I’m very grateful. As I want to be the best version of myself, this involves constantly working on who I am. Every evening, I take time to reflect in order to better myself. In addition, I meditate, eat healthily and do yoga.
WHAT’S BEST GLOBAL ICONS
Sheryl Sandberg
Malala Yousafzai
Elon Musk
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVES
Parley for the Oceans
Care International
Project Baala
"Last year, I launched the intergenerational project called ‘I Gift A Letter’ where young people wrote letters and sent drawings, cards and poems to the elderly"
Future
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
A: I have many flaws but they are also what make me the person I am today. So I wouldn’t change anything – because it’s okay not to be ‘perfect.’
Q: And what’s next for Farah Rumy?
A: There’s a lot coming up and I learn new things every day. My goal is to dream big, work hard, stay invested and always move forward.
Farah’sFavourites
GLOBAL ICONS
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Michelle Obama
Maya Angelou
WORLD LEADERS
Nelson Mandela
Jacinda Ardern
Mahatma Gandhi
BRANDS
Massimo Dutti
Swarovski
Apple
FOOD
Biryani
Sushi
Pizza
CELEBRITIES
Viola Davis
Tom Hanks
Leonardo DiCaprio
MOVIES
Anything from the Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Blind Side
The Notebook
HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS
Mauritius
Brazil
