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Women’s Day 2026 Exclusive: 'Classmates Called Me South African' — Alisha Oraon On Breaking Colour Bias
Some stories inspire change, and Alisha Oraon's journey is one of them. The Jharkhand-based tribal model gained widespread attention after she walked the ramp with her baby, turning a simple moment into a powerful symbol of motherhood and strength. Speaking to Boldsky on International Women's Day 2026, Alisha shared how her life journey from facing colour prejudice to proudly representing her tribal identity shaped the woman she is today.
A Proud Identity From The Oraon Tribe
Alisha belongs to the Oraon tribe, one of the prominent tribal communities in Jharkhand. Speaking about her roots, she shared that tribal families often have a progressive mindset where girls are encouraged to pursue their dreams.
"In our tribal families, there is no restriction that girls cannot do certain things. The family is open to everything, but you have to earn their trust."
Born in Ranchi and raised between Ranchi and nearby areas like Tamar and Sisai, Alisha grew up in a family with strong educational and professional backgrounds. Many people in her extended family serve in government roles such as administrative services. Despite the supportive environment, her childhood was not free from challenges.
Facing Colour Discrimination From Childhood
Alisha recalled how she often faced colour-based discrimination because of her dark complexion.
"Since school days I kept hearing comments that I am very dark. Even neighbours used to tease me and call me 'black cat'."
When she later moved to Dehradun for her higher secondary education, the experience was even more shocking. Students initially assumed she was from Africa.
"For three months many students thought I was from South Africa or Nigeria. Some even avoided sitting near me."
However, an important moment changed everything. A school principal once conducted an awareness activity to challenge colour prejudice among students, which completely transformed the environment. That moment, Alisha says, helped her build confidence and accept herself fully.
The Compliment That Changed Her Perspective
Another turning point came when a teacher compared her look to legendary supermodel Naomi Campbell.
"That was the first time someone said something positive about my appearance. I realised that when someone appreciates you, you start loving yourself more." That compliment made her think seriously about entering the fashion world.
From Fashion Designing To Entrepreneurship
Alisha later pursued fashion education at National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), where she was the only student from her school to qualify for the entrance exam.
After completing her course, she returned to Ranchi hoping to build something meaningful in her home state. She started a boutique, but after becoming a mother she decided to shift her focus and launched a food venture called Tamera's Kitchen, where she prepared homemade and healthy food.
"When I became a mother, I started thinking more about healthy food and homemade products."
A Viral Ramp Walk That Inspired Many
Alisha's life changed dramatically on 9 August 2021, when she participated in a fashion show promoting tribal culture. She had initially gone there just to deliver traditional jewellery and sarees for the show. But the designer requested her to walk the ramp in traditional tribal attire.
The situation became unexpected when her 10-month-old daughter began crying just before the show started. Instead of stepping back, Alisha chose to walk the ramp while carrying her baby.
"I realised that I am both a mother and someone who loves modeling. I thought, why not do both together?"
As rain started falling during the event, she covered her child and continued walking confidently. The moment was captured on video and soon went viral across social media, turning her into a symbol of strength and motherhood.
Promoting Tribal Culture Through Fashion
For Alisha, modeling is not only about glamour but also about representing tribal culture proudly. "If I can promote my culture through fashion, I am always ready to do it." She believes that traditional tribal jewellery, clothing and heritage deserve a bigger platform in the fashion industry.
Message For Every Women Who Dare To Dream
Sharing her message for women, Alisha said self-belief is the most powerful strength.
"People may judge you for how you look or where you come from. But if you believe in yourself and keep moving forward, you can change the narrative." Her journey from facing colour bias to becoming a viral tribal model stands as a reminder that confidence and authenticity can break every stereotype.
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