Beauty Pageant attracts nationwide talent

An event that has continuously enthralled a cross-section of the society encouraging young women to vie for a title that has gained prestige around the world has to be a force to reckon with in this cosmopolitan country.

Dharmesh Parekh launched a beauty pageant ten years ago exclusively for young women of Indian origin and has, year after year, brought fame and pride to the community. The winners and runners-up at the annual event have represented New Zealand and the Indian community at international contests held in a number of countries around the world, bringing us joy and pride.

Miss Indianz has been staged in a number of venues in Auckland (apart from regional contests held elsewhere) and this year, the pageant is due to be held at the Maidment Theatre of the University of Auckland on April 21.

Dharmesh said Miss Indianz has attracted 20 contestants from various parts of New Zealand and that the ensuing contest would be a Perfect Ten.

Indian Newslink, which has been the exclusive print media partner for the pageant, provides extensive and exclusive profile of the contestants to enable readers to participate more meaningfully in the ‘audience vote’ segment of the contest. This year, the profiles appear in abridged format in view of the late response. However, we hope these provide the relevant information for our readers in general and especially those interested in the pageant.

Aarti Pundir

This teenager is a high school student, hoping to graduate with a degree in Commerce and Law. Her ambition in life is to become a successful lawyer, “to serve humanity with dignity and honour.”

Encouraged by her sister, Aarti is competing in the Miss Indianz 2012 competition to “gain experience that would be truly amazing and exciting.”

Ashmitha Menon

This young Aucklander is a Physiotherapist in the making and currently a student specialising in the subject at the AUT University.

Ashmitha says that she decided to enter the Miss Indianz Competition to “regain the confidence that she had lost during her school years because of bullying.”

She hopes that the event will provide a ‘beautiful platform’ for “young and independent Indo-Kiwi women to portray their talent, knowledge and rich cultural background.”

Chandni Arora

Born and raised in India, this youngster is a qualified teacher in Early Childhood Education. Her ambition is life is to “Contribute meaningfully to the world and make a positive difference in making people’s life healthier and happier.”

Chandini hopes that Miss Indianz Competition would give her an opportunity to communicate with people and reach out to the world, with love and compassion.

Fathima Minra

Born in Sri Lanka, Fathima Minra claims Indian heritage through her father and the exhilarating experience that she gained at the Miss India Wellington (Regional) contest has encouraged her to vie for the national title.

Among her ambitions is to pursue her proficiency in soccer and acquire “a fully modified street-performance car” by the end of the year.

Kaushika Patel

This young student of Spatial Design at the AUT University loves to quit the comfort zone and tackle challenges and opportunities in life and career.

“That is what I did at the Miss Wellington contest and that is what I am keen to do at the Miss Indianz Pageant. I wish to gain new skills and experience and I have the confidence to do so,” she said.

Raji Singh

Auckland born Raji Singh should know about public relations for, as a person experienced in the retail industry (as store manager and merchandise manager), she is team player, who realises the importance of proper communications.

A final year AUT University student (Bachelor of Business degree), Raji has observed the Miss Indianz Pageant for many years, with each event raising her confidence to seek the title.

“Life is too short to just dream; you have to give yourself a change, there is nothing to lose but everything to gain,” she said.

Ronita Lal

This Fiji-born young woman is an Airline Customer Service student at the Air New Zealand Aviation Institute. She believes in making the most of every moment in life with a positive mental attitude.

“I am participating in the Contest, hoping to boost self-confidence, help others and become a spokesperson for young women with self-esteem issues. I would also like to make the community a better place to live and work,” she said.

Vanisha Kumar

This 16-year-old Wellingtonian is currently a Tawa College student, preparing to graduate in law. Her part-time job as an assistant at a jewellery store provides her ample scope to deal with people.

“My love for stage performance, success at the Miss Wellington Contest (she was the Second Runner-Up at the regional contest held in the Capital on September 10, 2011) and the encouragement received from family and friends were factors that motivated me to enter the Miss Indianz Competition,” she said.

Viraj Jayswal

She has just stepped into teenage and perhaps the youngest to enter the Miss Indianz Contest this year.

Viraj Jayswal hopes to travel all over the world with parents, grandparents and her ‘little sister.’ As for a career, she plans to become a gynaecologist.

“I find childbirth the most amazing and blessed part of human life cycle that God has created,” she said.

Viraj believes that Miss Indianz Pageant will be her first step into the real world

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