13 Dec 2017 | 06:35am IST
More than just a crown
This year, India won the Miss World title after a drought of nearly 17 years and this development has Goan girls hopeful about a future in fashion and pageantry. Café finds out how Goan girls can develop themselves into worthy contenders for similar pageants
Pageantry is considered by many
as the stepping stone to the world of
entertainment and glamour and it is no surprise that many models entered the
world of films through the same route. Many Goan girls had their tryst with
modelling and walking the ramp for noted pageants, coming really close to the
winning title.
No Asian country had won the Miss World title until 1966, the
5’8” beauty from Goa, Reita Faria won the 16th edition of the international
pageant. While it is another matter that Aishwarya Rai won the title again at
the 44th edition of the pageant in 1994, Like this year’s Miss World and
doctor-in-the-making Manushi Chillar, Faria was a final year medical student
and her replies in the final round stunned the audience and won over the
judges. Reita Faria set the benchmark for all Goan girls to aspire to.
Melvyn Noronha from Goa is on the Miss India team and conducts
sessions on ramp walk and communication skills. He worked with Manushi Chillar
and was excited to see her win the title. “This year, Femina Miss India
Organisation had a commendable comeback by launching its slogan ‘We are
Changing’. Not only did Femina Miss India have auditions in each state but also
gave titles to each state representative, which was indeed a historical move.
This year, we saw different colours of India on the Femina Miss India stage as
each state showcased their culture and ethnicity. Manushi Chhillar, who was
representing Haryana at Femina Miss India, defeated one of the strongest ever
batch in the history of the Miss India pageant, becoming the first woman from
her state to win not just the Femina Miss India crown but also the Miss World
crown.”
Explaining what is required to make a bold move into the
pageantry world, Melvyn says, “Most importantly, the pageant scene is changing
and education and prior achievements play an important role. They are looking
for a role model rather than just a beautiful face. They want a captivating
personality, who is strong and independent. Secondly, they are looking for
someone who serves the community in a modern and stylish way. I believe it’s
important to grow together and get stronger, bringing out a new generation of
pageant winners.”
Maria Alysia Gomes recently represented India and brought home
the Major Intercontinental Beauty Queen 2017 crown at the pageant organised by
Reina Costa Rica Intercontinental at Panama. She watched with pride as Manushi
won the crown. Having her won responsibilities of the crown, Maria Alysia will
not be participating in any pageants for the next year. “I feel that Goan girls
lack believing in ourselves. Even if we come from villages, we have great
potential but less encouragement in this line. It does not matter what others
say; you have to believe and give your best to get to this stage. It is a great
honour that a Haryana girl is Miss World and shining up there,” says Maria
Alysia.
Samiksha
Karmalkar Harji from Calangute was crowned Mrs Goa 2017. She was confident of
winning the title even after having the responsibility of a family. “Platforms
such as this one are what women today need and every state should offer them.
Such pageants encourage women, including married women, to step out of the
shadows and explore more of the world. It is also important that women should
have their family support when they have to take important decisions in their
lives. Even married women should show their talent and get rid of their stage
fright. It is important for them to represent themselves on such platforms,”
says Samiksha.