Dreams can come true

THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL: Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2008 Parvathy Omanakuttan flanked by Pantaloons Femina Miss India Earth 2008, Harshita Saxena (left), and Pantaloons Femina Miss India Universe 2008, Simran Kaur Mundi.
Their joy was spontaneous. Their reaction unanimous. “Our dreams have come true and this feels so unbelievable,” said Parvathy Omanakuttan, Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2008, Simran Kaur Mundi, Pantaloons Femina Miss India Universe 2008, and Harshita Saxena, Pantaloons Femina Miss India Earth 2008, at the country’s biggest beauty pageant that was held at the Andheri Sports Complex on Saturday night. Parvathy, 20, came from Kottayam and is studying English Literature at Mithibai College; Simran, 22, is a biotechnology student from Versova; and, Harshita, 20, who is originally from Goa, left college in Canada to come to India in search of the PFMI crown. Dressed by Ritu Kumar in figure-hugging sarees for the grand finale, the girls were crowned by last year’s winners after they answered the final round question: Was the rising divorce rate in India a result of Western influence? Earlier, friends and family of the 28 finalists cheered lustily during the star-studded ceremony each time a girl walked onto the ramp and waved out to the audience. The vivacious Dia Mirza and witty R Madhavan, comperes for the event, led the finalists through their paces. And even though the competition was fierce, there could be seen a bonding between the girls, especially in the manner they applauded each other on stage. Dia, a former Miss India herself, revealed that she was contestant No 14 when she won. “It’s a real lucky number,” the former beauty queen and Bollywood actress said. Indeed, it was! For Parvathy, who won the Miss World crown, was also No 14 in the pageant! “It’s what you make out of that number that is important. A number by itself is not lucky or unlucky,” declared Parvathy. While Simran and Harshita, proud of their crowns and the responsibility that came with them, said, “We have lots of work to do and will now gear up to bring glory to India at the international forum.” Sameer Soni, National Director of PFMI, was pleased with the response and enthusiasm the new format launched this year received. “We went across 12 cities in India so that we could have participation from all corners of the country. The new beauty ambassadors will now go on to represent India in various international beauty contests,” he said. While Sanjeev Agrawal, CEO Pantaloons, said, “Pantaloons’ philosophy of fresh fashion led us to be part of the pageant which crowns the most beautiful girl in country.” The PFMI judges included Zeenat Aman, J J Vallaya, Tabu, Katrina Kaif, Rina Dhaka, Shiamak Davar and Arnab Goswami. Bollywood hotties Bipasha Basu and Kareena Kapoor lit up the stage in between by dancing to Allah Duhai and Pehli Nazar , and Mauja Hi Mauja , respectively. After the crowing, when the winners were approached backstage and asked what was it they wanted to do most then, came the moment of revelation. After weeks of training and being on strict diet, they wanted to party hard and celebrate their victory by eating chocolate pastries, brownies, ice-creams and pizzas with cheese topping!