Femina celebrates its 51st anniversary and Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan writes a letter to her 19-year-old self about what to watch out for in life ahead. The Best of Femina, issue hits the stands on June 17...

Learn to say no Sure you'll make mistakes, have to trip to learn to walk. But always have the strength and conviction to say no. if an inner voice does not believe in a certain job opportunity, a certain seemingly inviting chance, then let it go. Many girls worry that this will mean the end of a career. But nothing is ever that extreme.

Go beyond the role I went global with Miss World, representing my people from the country and everywhere. I was aware that I was the brand ambassador for my country. But I tried to go beyond the beauty queen. There is a special place people have given me in their hearts and its important to reciprocate.

Stay open The competition is more intense since the time Sushmita and I participated. But there were two things that winning changed for me. It gave me the confidence to be a public speaker. (Abhishek rolls his eyes when I say this, but I was too shy to speak on stage.) And secondly, it was a great way for a young person to be introduced to social work.

Make the time for family You cannot even begin to fathom the nurturing you receive from your family. I had the comfort of knowing that there are these people who were always there at the other, ready to give a tug when I needed it.

Your silence will be heard I have often felt misrepresented; people took advantage of my silence and coloured their own reality. At these times, my family reassured me that there's dignity in silence. I never did develop a rhino hide even after these years, I still hurt easily.

Finding love You'll just know when you truly experience it. Abhishek and I have known each other for the longest time. He was scouting locations in Switzerland when I met him on sets of Aur Pyar Ho Gaya, in 1997. but it was only in 2006 that we got together, and we married within a year. We both recognised an emotion of this intensity needed to be nurtured.

Marriage will change everything You suddenly realise that your responsibility towards your parents is a hundred times greater now. I would like my parents to be loved and cared for by him; just like he expects me to love and care for his parents.

Don't expect a big honeymoon! I had this notion of tapering off work just before the wedding, slowing down, getting into the preparations, going off on a long honeymoon, and then sort of easing into married life.

Instead, I got married in the middle of a big film and had to pack 48 hours in 24 to make it all work. I wouldn't have it any other way! It's going to be one hell of an experience. But you did good, girl!