The Inspiring Journey of VJ Vaishalee: From Guwahati to Global Stardom
Vaishalee Saikia, or as she is popularly known, VJ Vaishalee, hails from the picturesque land of hills, Guwahati, Assam. Born to Mr. Sanjeev Saikia, a former Indian Railways Officer, and Mrs. Mrinalinee Saikia, a homemaker, Vaishalee’s childhood was marked by frequent relocations across the Northeast due to her father’s government job. These constant moves denied her a permanent home address but instilled in her a profound love for music and hosting, which became the constants in her life.
From a young age, Vaishalee found solace in television. Music channels like MTV and Channel V became her escape, and she idolized video jockeys like Nikhil Chinappa and VJ Bani. Growing up in a region renowned for its vibrant pop music scene, it was no surprise that Vaishalee gravitated towards the world of music video announcing. She drew inspiration not only from these prominent figures but also from her family.
“There are several people who inspire me, but I believe the largest inspiration in my life is my family. Through thick and thin, my parents have walked with me shoulder to shoulder. They always say, nothing comes in your hand without hard work, believe in hard work and never ever lose hope in your life,” she recalls.
Before embarking on her journey as a video jockey, Vaishalee was determined to lay a solid educational foundation. She completed her Bachelor’s in English Honors, followed by a Master’s in Mass Communication and Journalism. To further hone her skills, she pursued a certified course in Marketing and Communication from the International Business Management Institute (IBMI) in Berlin, Germany. These academic accomplishments provided her with the knowledge and confidence to pursue her dreams.
At the age of 19, driven by her parents’ teachings and her own determination, Vaishalee began transforming her hobby into a profession. In 2014, she became the first video jockey to introduce VJing in Assam. Reflecting on her motivation, she says,
“I used to like people with a strong personality, especially the ones who were vocal, me being an introvert in my childhood and that’s how I liked the way the VJs were; Smart, fluent and vocal.”
Vaishalee’s career took off in 2013 when she won the Miss Fresh Face title for the women’s exclusive fashion brand ‘MADAME’. Her knack for being the ‘first’ did not stop there. She became the first woman from Northeast India to shoot for the globally recognized brand GUCCI cosmetics and GUCCI lip color for a UAE-based luxury brand selling site. Her face soon became synonymous with several other renowned brands like Myntra, Nikon, Tanishq, Tansukhrai Jewelry, and Annapurna.
Her popularity soared as she hosted prestigious events, including The Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics Forum 2016 and the Balipara Foundation Awards with EMMY Award-Winning Producer Director Nicholas Claxton. The same year, she served as a jury member for the Fbb Femina Miss India Northeast Belt. From being a fangirl of Bollywood celebrities in her childhood, Vaishalee’s career provided her with opportunities to meet and interact with stars like Jackie Shroff, Shilpa Shetty, and Adil Hussain. She even became the brand ambassador for Bamboo India from the Northeast, alongside Bollywood icons Juhi Chawla and Diya Mirza.
With a taste of success, Vaishalee’s ambition grew. In 2018, she decided to expand her career horizons by becoming a Financial Advisor. She joined Generali, a finance company headquartered in Milan, Italy, focusing on product sales. This new role required excellent communication skills, a strength she had developed through her VJ career.
“As a VJ, I met a lot of people, and this profession of mine helped me to open up a lot. I started coming out of my box bit by bit and also polished my communication skills a lot,” she explains.
Despite her career shift, Vaishalee remained a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. She continued to host the ‘BeatBox’ show on Ramdhenu (News Live) for a decade, showcasing her versatility and dedication to her craft. Her efforts did not go unrecognized; she received numerous accolades, including the Indian Inspirational Woman Award 2021 by Dr. Kiran Bedi, the Indian Glory Award 2021, the India Excellence Award 2021, the India Achievers Award 2023 by actress Amrita Rao, and the Indo Global Business Awards 2023 from Padma Shri awardee Madhuri Dixit Nene.
Reflecting on her journey and the challenges she faced as an entrepreneur, Vaishalee offers words of wisdom:
“Whether you lose your job, an opportunity or a relationship – loss is an inevitable part of everyone’s life. Struggle in life, losing something that you had or wanted can be a wake-up call. Having a clear understanding of what you value and why you value it is key to becoming a better person because it gives your words and actions integrity.”
Now 31, Vaishalee balances her role at Generali with her ongoing passion for hosting and baking. Her ability to multitask and her drive to excel in diverse fields is truly inspiring. She also offers advice to aspiring video jockeys, emphasizing the importance of gaining hands-on experience.
“A Video Jockey can work in a plethora of areas. When starting out, they can either start as a freelancer in case they are yet to get an opportunity in television. This will not only help you in getting hands-on experience in this field but will also help you build and increase a good fan following. The internet is an influential tool at the disposal of a Video Jockey. Thus, you can utilize this platform to showcase your projects while working as a freelancer,” she advises.
Vaishalee Saikia’s story is one of resilience, passion, and relentless pursuit of excellence. From her humble beginnings in Guwahati to becoming a celebrated VJ and a successful financial advisor, she has carved a niche for herself in both the entertainment and finance industries. Her journey continues to inspire countless individuals, proving that with hard work, determination, and a clear vision, one can achieve their dreams and beyond.
Awards and Accomplishments:
- First VJ (Video Jockey) of Northeast India (Assam), renowned as VJ Vaishalee, hosting “Beat Box” for 10 years on Ramdhenu (News Live).
- Currently employed at Generali, headquartered in Milan, Italy.
- Received four prestigious national and global awards:
- India Inspirational Woman Award 2021 by Dr. Kiran Bedi
- Indo Global Business Awards 2023 by Madhuri Dixit
- India Achievers Award 2023 by Amrita Rao
- Indian Glory Award 2021
- India Excellence Award 2021
- Former judge at Femina Miss India 2016.
- First woman from Northeast India to shoot for GUCCI cosmetics and GUCCI lip color (for a UAE luxury brand).
- Brand ambassador for Bamboo India in the Northeast, alongside Juhi Chawla and Diya Mirza.
- Featured as the brand face for LG, HP, Nikon, Tanishq, Tansukrai Jewelry, Waheeda Jewelry, Annapurna, etc.
- Awarded Miss Fresh Face 2013 by women’s exclusive fashion brand MADAME.
- Conducted interviews with various personalities and artists, including Bollywood actors like Jackie Shroff and Adil Hussain.
By: Ritika Das
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