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With six months of training ahead of her, newly-crowned Miss India Worldwide UAE Rashmi Premaney, says the first thing on her list of things to do is to learn how to wear a sari.
A professional model for the past two years, Premaney, who does for the traditional Indian dress what Kate Moss did for skinny jeans, says it's a skill she has always struggled with.
“You always have someone around to help you put one on so I've never tried alone and it's hard," she laughed, seeing the irony of her conundrum. “But now I will definitely learn because it's a skill which I may have to rely on at the next competition."
With her hands clasped to her face Premaney was clearly shocked as the judges announced the results which crowned her as overall winner from the UAE at Miss India
Worldwide: Middle East, a search to find three representatives from the region.
“I just cannot believe I have won," she said as the 300-strong crowd at the Radisson SAS, Deira, gave her a standing ovation at the event this week.
Big plans
Premaney said she felt the competition was a great platform to launch her career as a model and actress.
“I have big plans and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work towards a bigger competition in January. I model now but I would eventually like to become an actress so all
these steps are great for my future."
Judges gave nothing away as they took one last assessment of the Bollywood smiles, stunning saris and the impressive amount of attitude before them at the final stage of
the competition this week.
Two weeks of grooming including coaching classes for personality development, modelling, health, fitness and beauty tips came under the microscope one last time for the
14 girls battling it out to take the title Miss India Worldwide UAE, Oman and Bahrain.
Strutting down the catwalk at the Tele Life Trendsetters Fashion Show the final leg of the race the girls, aged 17-25, put all their training into practice and went for as much sophisticated sashaying as they could muster.
The glitz and glamour of the catwalk was lapped up in every sense by the Indian beauties, who each did everything physically possible to hide their nerves under their sparkling outfits.
No surprise considering the prize was something to shout about the chance to represent the Middle East at Miss India Worldwide in South Africa in January next year.
The atmosphere back stage was an interesting mixture of excitement and nerves along with an inevitable touch of healthy competition. Secret glances shot from all directions could be spotted as girls nonchalantly checked to see what each was wearing, touching up and tweaking before they hit the runway.
Strong bonds
But although it was clear each of the girls had clear designs on scooping the crowns at stake, the strong bonds and friendships made were equally obvious.
After three colourful, and nothing short of impressive, outfit changes Premaney was crowned Miss UAE, Shruti Dilip Miss Oman and Jenai Kavarana, a student of Jumeirah College in Dubai, took the title of Miss Bahrain.
Kavarana says although it sounds so cliché the best part of the event for her was the friendships she made over the 14-day competition.
“The element of competition is there but we were honestly more concerned about each other at times than with ourselves," she said.
“I have made some friends for life and we have all vowed to stay in touch and help those friendships to grow."
Although first and foremost, Kavarana admits she has an ulterior motive with hopes to use the platform of her victory to raise awareness of people with special needs in the UAE.
Sister to an 11-year-old with brain damage, Kavarana believes it's about time people started to get educated and start accepting people with special needs as human beings.
“It frustrates me so much that people with special needs seem to be ignored and neglected. They are wonderful people and deserve to be noticed and included just like the
rest of us."
More than 300 girls, all holding Indian passports but living outside of India, applied to take part in the competition which is held in more than 40 countries worldwide.
Indian girls residing in UAE, Oman and Bahrain, unmarried, aged between 17 and 25 with a minimum height of 5' 6" were considered and eventually whittled down to the 14 selected for the final.
Unique
Short video snaps captured the personality of each contestant before she made her glamorous entrance on stage.
But it was the “Jungle Round" which really brought out the unique character of the girls as they lost some of the inhibitions from the first two, more formal rounds, and really
showed who owned the catwalk.
A team of professionals, organised by events company Emirates Vision, worked continuously with the finalists for two weeks, assessing and judging on their determination,
attitude and success in each class.
Premaney added: “I have been a model for a few years now but I can honestly say that I have learnt more over the past few weeks than I have in the two years I've been modelling. I'm no stranger to the camera or the catwalk but the personality development is so important and I think I've maybe overlooked that in the past."
More than 300 guests including family and friends of the participants, trainers, VIPs and media were invited to the gala dinner and fashion show which was directed by a
professional choreographer and featured three rounds. The first was Indian Ethnic Wear by Vasavi Trading, Aabharan Jewellery and Evening Wear and Jungle Prints by Oasis
Fashion at Wafi.
High hopes
Kavarana, 18, also has high hopes for her future with plans for a career in media and advertising.
“I'm creatively-minded so I think it's probably the way forward but I'm still young so we'll see where life takes me.
“A year ago today I would have never thought I would be where I am today so it just goes to show your life can change quicker than you know.
“I am about to start filming as a contestant on the next series of Hydra Executives and I'm feeling positive."
Organiser John Matthew of Emirates Vision, Dubai, says the programme is conducted in the most decent and conservative manner with respect to the Indian culture.
Matthew is not only the National Director of Miss India Worldwide for Middle Eastern countries but is also the National Director of Top Model of the World pageant for six
countries in Europe and Asia.
Full of confidence, which is almost entirely born from her success in the Miss India Worldwide competition, Kavarana says the event has taught her about herself.
“I feel like a different person. I have learnt so much about myself and my confidence levels are higher. I plan on winning Miss India Worldwide, winning Hydra Executives and heading onwards and upwards to make a difference in this world." Nobody can say she doesn't have a plan.
Miss India Worldwide
The First Miss India Worldwide Pageant was held in 1990 and was an instant success, acclaimed as “the most glamorous Indian function in the world". The final pageant is
held in a different country each year and will take place in South Africa next year.
It is a conservative event which upholds the ethics and values of India. Consisting of four segments Evening Gown, Indian Dress, Talent and Question-Answer, the pageant
prides itself on not having a swimsuit round.
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