“Do not call it a ‘beauty pageant.’ Miss Indianz is celebration of Kiwi-Indian elegance, fashion, music and dance,” Swapna Parikh, Managing Director of Reshab D Parikh Productions Limited, organisers of the country’s most popular contest said.
“Why not, after all, isn’t every beauty contest a pageant?” we asked.
“I do not like that word. Our aim is to stage a celebration of Kiwi-Indian elegance, fashion, dance and music. The competitive element adds flair and stigma to the event. We continue to seek opportunities to grow the capabilities of the contestants in a wide range of entertainment industry skills. We believe that these skills are transferable to many other career pathways,” she said.
Growing popularity
Our observation is that Miss Indianz has grown in its size, extent and popularity over the past 11 years. Dharmesh Parikh, who conceptualised and produced the show, has taken it from Auckland to other parts of the country and today the contest provides excellent exposure, not just to the competing young women but also to sponsors, advertisers and the organiers.
We agreed with Mrs Parikh, when she said, “A majority of participants enjoy the unique experience. Winning the title has been less important.”
Upcoming Pageant
This year’s contest features 29 young women, all of who are of Indian origin and yet diverse in their language, belief and faiths. A panel of judges and the audience will determine the names of finalists, the runners-up and the title winner, in addition to winners in a number of categories.
Miss Indianz will be held on Saturday September 14, 2013 from 730 pm at Auckland Town Hall. Tickets, priced at $50 (VIP), $35 (A Reserve) and $25 (B Reserve) can be purchased from Ticket Master. www.ticketmaster.co.nz
Following is the brief sketch of 15 contestants; the profiles of remaining participants will appear in our next (September 1, 2013) issue.
Amreeta Goundar
Born in New Zealand, she is currently a Fourth Year student at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic
Armani Kaur
This youngster, born in India, works as a User-Support Manager for a medical publishing company in Auckland
Asha Mamgain
A Wellingtonian, Asha is a Year 12 student at the Hutt Valley High School
Ashna Prasad
This Fiji-born teenager, is a student at Arore College in South Auckland
Ashreen Nand
Born in Fiji, Ashreen lives in West Auckland
Chandni Contractor
Born in New Zealand, she is a student at the Victoria University, Wellington
Dhruti Morar
Born in Zimbabwe, Dhruti is pursuing her Master’s degree in Speech Language Therapy Practice
Gurpreet Kaur
Born in India, Gurpreet works as a Deli Assistant at a major supermarket in Auckland
Kajol Sharma
Kajol is a New Zealander by birth and is a Year 12 student at Avondale College in Auckland
Kamal Khehra
India-born Kamal is a Year 11 student in Feilding, located in the Manawatu-Wanganui region, near Palmerston North.
Kartika Singh
This Fiji-born youngster is a fashion beautician and event organiser
Kiran Babbar
Born in India, Kiran works as a Dental Assistant in Auckland
Krital Kumar
Born in Fiji, she is employed as a Healthcare Assistant
Latha Hegde
Latha did not send us any details, except to say that she was born in India
Lorza Latif
This Fiji-born youngster is employed in Customer Services at the Auckland International Airport
Editor’s Note: Details of other contestants will appear in our next issue.
