More than just a crown

13 DEC 201706:35AM IST

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.

https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/More-than-just-a-crown/123956.html