A tech wiz, dance diva, former actress and beauty queen who won the Femina Miss India World 2012 title, Vanya Mishra is a true Indian superstar. The definition of a contemporary Indian icon is being redefined by this multi-talented monarch! Born in Jalandhar and brought up in Chandigarh, she has deep roots in the dynamic north of India and was bound for glory. At Miss World 2012 in China, this talented engineer-turned-beauty queen represented India by exchanging circuit schematics for catwalks. And what a debut! She wowed the judges, taking fifth place overall and winning two coveted titles: Miss Beauty with a Purpose and Miss Multimedia. Talk about making a statement! Her transformation from a beauty queen to a tech-driven entrepreneur is truly inspiring. As the Co-Founder and CEO of AstroSure.ai, she’s leveraging her strategic expertise and passion for innovation to make astrology more accessible and meaningful for Gen Z. By combining AI with ancient wisdom like the Vedas and mantras, her mission is to provide personalised guidance in areas like relationships, career and spirituality. Her journey from beauty queen to tech-savvy businesswoman is incredibly motivating. As the CEO and co-founder of AstroSure.ai, she is using her strategic knowledge and inventive spirit to help Gen Z understand and find more meaning in astrology. Her goal is to offer individualised advice in areas like relationships and spirituality by fusing AI with age-old knowledge like the Vedas and mantras.
Excerpts from the interview:
AstroSure.ai combines two seemingly disparate fields—astrology and artificial intelligence. When did you realise that this combination might work?
I’ve always had a strong affinity to and believe in astrology. Over the years, I’ve realised that astrology is a complex, scientific field that has a close relationship to our mental and physical health. It’s not simply about making “predictions” either. We are all aware that the Earth and everything on it, including ourselves, are impacted by planetary motions. Similarly, we open up a whole new world of possibilities when we evaluate historical movements using contemporary tools. This is where technology comes into play, enabling us to investigate astrology in hitherto unattainable ways. It became evident to me that AI could bridge the gap in today’s environment, when we frequently long for someone to chat to in the middle of the night or seek clarification when we’re feeling overwhelmed. Imagine getting real-time, individualised insights that are available whenever you need them. It is immensely powerful to be able to receive counsel that seems both compassionate and relevant. I then came to the realisation that we could develop a platform that functions similarly to your 3 AM friend—always there with empathy, support and clarity.
What an interesting transition from Miss India World 2012 to software founder! Has anyone questioned your decision to enter the start-up industry?
I was an engineering student when I participated in Miss India and I immediately jumped into the startup scene after I graduated, all the while maintaining the energy from my victory. Back then, we even raised money and started an internet marketplace. My entrepreneurial path began much earlier, but my stay at IIMA (Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad) was important in honing my strategy. I didn’t waste time attempting to establish myself when I moved to the start-up industry. Rather, I concentrated on using my advantages. I had a solid grasp of customer behaviour and demands because of my experience in media, marketing strategy, and technology. This knowledge served as the cornerstone for creating something genuinely significant with it. Perceptions begin to change on their own when you produce something that actually solves actual issues. I’m more than simply “Miss India in Tech” these days; I’m a founder at the nexus of AI and spiritual wellbeing, using technology to solve real-world problems.
Spirituality is extremely personal. How can you ensure that AstroSure.ai doesn’t detract from people’s faith or feel overly robotic?
That is a really significant question. We have always held the view that technology should enhance faith rather than take its place. By offering insights that encourage introspection rather than prescribing acts, we hope to promote spirituality. Instead of viewing it as a device that provides you with strict orders, consider it a considerate companion who listens and provides soft advice. Agastyaa, our AI adviser, provides tailored insights based on the Vedas, but it doesn’t offer instructions. It’s meant to encourage you to take a moment to consider your life and decisions. We’ve worked hard to make sure the experience stays respectful, safe and emotionally intelligent. Since spirituality is a very personal path, we strive to make it approachable without being overbearing or frightening. In the end, we didn’t want AstroSure.ai to feel like a “report card” on your spiritual development, but rather like communicating with a kind mentor who encourages you.
Though skeptical, Gen Z is also interested in spirituality. What do you know about their astrological practices?
Gen Z is incredible; they are inquisitive, critical and extremely self-aware. They are open-minded if something seems genuine, but they don’t mindlessly follow anything. They want no nonsense, privacy and personalisation. That’s precisely what we provide. They receive highly customised information from us in an easy-to-understand style. Many of our younger users view us as more than simply an astrological app; we serve as their digital journal, sounding board and mindfulness tool. Without the drama, it’s about guidance.
You’ve held positions at industry titans like Accenture and Reliance Jio. How has that influenced the way you are developing AstroSure.ai?
I learned how to think large-scale from those experiences. I developed my strategic problem-solving skills at Jio and Accenture by learning how to use data, structure and clarity. It was really beneficial to bring that into the spiritual-tech realm. We test, learn and improve the user experience as if it were a science. Spirituality might easily seem abstract, but we firmly rooted it in robust systems, KPIs and feedback loops. That is what enables us to provide spiritual counseling on a large scale without sacrificing its essence.
When combined, AI and astrology provide significant ethical issues. How do you ensure user safety and responsibility?
We give this a lot of thought. Our goal is to empower, not to dominate or foretell the future. Thus, the AI manual, Agastyaa, uses extremely considerate language. No inciting of fear or “this will definitely happen” rhetoric. In order to prevent people from spiraling out of control or becoming overly dependent, we also use nudges to encourage healthy involvement. Additionally, everything is provided discreetly and safely, supported by authentic Vedic principles. Instead than being judged, we want users to feel guided. It’s never about teaching, but about insight.
Mantras and the Vedas are revered. How can you maintain authenticity while still making things applicable to a contemporary audience?
Authenticity is something we take very seriously. We collaborated with esteemed Vedic scholars from the start, who worked closely with our tech team. To grasp the real meaning of these teachings, we turned directly to the original Vedic writings rather than merely using internet sites for mantras. After establishing this strong basis, we used AI to customise these antiquated customs and bring them into the present era. Authenticity is the foundation of any insight we offer, whether it’s a mantra recommendation or an explanation of a planetary transit. At the core of it all is the age-old wisdom that has been passed down through the generations—mantras, rituals and customs that we have learnt from our elders—but technology also lets us scale and personalise these lessons. Seeing how it enables individuals to maintain ties to these ageless customs and incorporate them into their everyday lives has been one of the most fulfilling parts of this trip. We’re bringing old techniques up to date and accessible in the fast-paced world of today. For instance, we offered straightforward, understandable instructions for significant rites and mantras for holidays like Ram Navami and Mahashivratri. As families become more nuclear and elders have less opportunities to transmit down traditions, our users’ response was overwhelmingly favourable. By serving as a reminder of the value of rituals and the potency of mantras, these platforms are assisting in bridging that gap. It’s a means to guarantee that these revered customs endure and inspire people even in the contemporary world.
Where do you think AstroSure.ai will go as AI advances?
The goal is to transform astrology into a real decision-support tool that you can use in everyday life, such as journaling or meditation, rather than only in emergency situations. The roadmap undoubtedly includes worldwide expansion. In the West, there is a sincere interest in Hindu Vedic astrology as well as an increase in spiritual curiosity and practice. Similar to how Buddhism was accepted in the West, there is a noticeable shift in perspective toward spiritual activities that have their roots in Hinduism. Since India is renowned for its rich spiritual traditions, we believe it is in a good position to support the growing worldwide trend of faith. One of the fascinating possibilities for the future is that technology enables us to transcend boundaries. However, the ultimate objective is still the same: to make it is always accessible, always nonjudgmental and constantly providing insights that give you confidence and clarity. By dispelling its reputation as mystical or superstitious, we hope to democratise astrology and make it a daily source of insight, direction and personal development.
