The entire nation is proud of Harnaaz Sandhu’s win. As a woman, if you ask me if it is sensible to have any competition that focuses on physical attributes then my answer would be yes. Just being physically attractive doesn’t help the contestants to win the pageant as beauty comes through confidence not from physical appearance. Even if the contestants are good looking, have perfect height and have Zero size figure but lack confidence within them, they will portray them-self being insecure, being uncomfortable and turn into someone ugly for the audience. Therefore, they will lose. It takes a lot of effort and intelligence to win any beauty contest just like any other sort of competition.
- Mayanka Halarnkar, Pharma Officer/ Photographer, Bicholim
The whole world judges on If I had to protest about the objectification
of women I would speak of the advertising industry and films, and sitcoms,
before pageants like Miss Universe. Here at least I’m sure most of these women
enjoy the process of developing themselves in many ways, including in
appearance, and follow careers that grow from it
- Lina Vincent, Art historian and curator, Goa
appearances, whether it is the way you look, the way you dress or the
way you live. An outdated beauty pageant which only focuses on kooks should no
longer really be held. It is however said that they do a lot of charity work
too but am sure there are other ways to do the same. In a superficial society
where looks matter this pageant only reinforces that idea. We need a change in
the world, whether it is in the pageant industry, advertising or modelling.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder not what the rest of the world dreams it
should be.
- Anuradha Holst, Communication Consultant, Porvorim
I don’t support the idea of a “beauty pageant” as I believe that
“beauty” is subjective. Also since you mentioned physical attributes, if it’s a
naturally beautiful face and body, then that’s not ability. It’s God given and
can be celebrated/cherished in many other ways rather than a pageant. If the
same “beauty” is achieved with efforts or medical help or whatever then is it
really beauty? I don’t know about that. And most of all, is beauty something to
compete about! I believe competition is related to ability and talent. That too
with oneself rather than with others. While I’m happy for the winner and those
celebrating, I personally don’t understand or support it.
- Ester Noronha, Singer/Actor, Goa
I feel organising such competitions helps and gives opportunity to the
women to prove themselves that they can also do it by believing in themselves,
But instead of only focusing on the physical attributes, they should also focus
on each and every attribute like inner beauty and kindness... No doubt the
ladies who won Miss Universe or Miss World also will have this kind of
qualities and have inner beauty too.
- Abisha Fernandes, Student, Porvorim
I think we make too big of a deal about Miss Universe. Sure, it
reflects that we have beautiful women in our country. But that’s not something
that we collectively have had to work towards. Personally, I am more impressed
when an Indian woman is recognised for her entrepreneurship, wins an Olympic
medal or is otherwise honoured for her professional achievements.
- Sapna Shahani, Marketing Consultant, Socorro
Few people know this but beauty pageants are marketing activities by
the beauty & cosmetics industry and historically, the winners are from the
country with a booming market where these industries want a foothold in. It’s
ridiculous that in 2021 we are taking these events seriously. I am happy for
the winners - it takes a lot of hard work, am sure, but this is nothing more
than cultural commodification of women, and definitely nothing for a country to
be proud of.
- Shruti Chaturvedi, Marketing professional, Panjim
So like all the meme’s going around, how does a Miss Universe title
work, since only females on one planet seem to be eligible to participate in
it. Not to mention, in today’s day and age, we are still stuck in these
regressive ideas of Beauty Pageants, which may have been to a certain extent
made to feel a little more intellectual with some superficial rounds, but
overall it is still about how you look in a swimsuit, a gown etc etc.
- Nupura Hautamaki, Marketing and Events Consultant, Guirim
I think it’s amazing that a gifted, smart and beautiful girl like
Harnaaz Sandhu has won the Miss Universe competition this year, and brought
laurels to India. I feel that it’s nice to have these beauty pageants as they
encourage healthy competition for women in terms of their physical attributes,
grace, confidence and poise, as well as giving them a platform to voice their
choices and opinions on various issues. But I feel that equal emphasis could be
placed on nurturing talent and productivity in the field of sports,social work,
entrepreneurial skills and more. Women should be encouraged to see past the
physical aspects and realise that they are so much more than just a pretty
face.
- Joanne da Cunha, Actor and Model, Porvorim
Well in my opinion, there are other way more unexplainable competitions
and events. For example, there are international slapping competitions. Also
Ms. Universe doesn’t only judge a contestant in physical attributes but also
attributes like personality, confidence, skill, vision, intelligence, wit and
sensitivity. Even though the name ‘beauty pageant’ makes a significant impact
on the impression there are other factors that play a role in selecting a
winner. In terms of being fair to everyone’s physical attributes, the world and
beauty pageants are gradually becoming more and more inclusive so as a woman
I’m proud of Harnaaz Sandhu.
- Shimron Nathan, Student, Porvorim
The contest does not only Focus on physical attributes. It’s about
knowledge, aptitude, attitude, confidence to face the world, presentation
skills, a platform to encourage women to overcome their fears and prove
themselves. As far as safeguarding women’s respect is concerned we need to
change people’s perception and not ban competition.
- Deepika Tambat, Faculty, Viscount of Pernem High
school