Miss India 2009 Finalists launched a national campaign

JUST BEFORE the 2009 edition of Pantaloons Femina Miss India beauty pageant transcends into the final phase, the 20 gorgeous finalists launched a commendable and classic nationwide campaign to throw light on the myths surrounding cancer, called “Femina White Ribbon Initiative”.

The campaign is a combined CSR led initiative supported by three powerful bodies – Femina, Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) and Nargis Dutt Foundation (NGF). It will focus on the importance of early detection and prevention and curability of cancer if discovered well in advance. This initiative will comprise of a series of informatory articles on prevention, detection and management of cancer in the forthcoming issues of Femina magazine, several Mumbai-based events/ awareness campaigns to sensitise the Indian citizens about cancer, fundraising by NGF to support the treatment of underprivileged patients and research on cancer at Tata Memorial Hospital.

The day-long humane interaction saw the confluence of dignitaries such as Dr Mohan Das, Dean, Tata Memorial Centre, representatives from Nargis Dutt Foundation Namrata Kumar and Kumar Gaurav, Femina Editor Tanya Chaitanya and well known artist and former Miss India Anjana Kuthiala to announce their association with the campaign and extend their long term support by way of creating awareness on cancer and spreading the message of love and compassion towards all that are affected by it.

The emotive moment of the afternoon was a fashion show put together by the 20 Miss India 2009 contestants who walked the ramp hand in hand with the cancer-affected children. Post the fashion show, each child was crowned and sashed as a ‘Femina Little Princess’. The children in all the enthusiasm and excitement loved every moment of this show. For the Miss India contestants, this benevolent act was just the beginning of their social mission of lending a helping hand towards the needy and engaging themselves in crucial social issues affecting our society’s growth.

What followed the fashion show simply awed the audience – two dance performances; one by specially challenged, visually handicapped and cancer-stricken kids from Tata Memorial Hospital, who were specially trained by Shiamak Davar’s ‘Victory Art Foundation’ and the other by Shiamak Davar’s professional troupe. Renowned artist Anjana Kuthiala announced the online selling of her paintings, the proceeds of which would be donated to the Nargis Dutt Foundation. To bring a broadened smile to the faces of children further, Walt Disney India organised a movie screening for the 150 children which indeed made their day!

Tanya Chaitanya, Editor, Femina, highlighted, “The most beautiful verb in the world is 'to help'. And we at Femina magazine believe that every woman has the capacity to turn this verb into action. As a part of the Femina White Ribbon Initiative, the participants of the Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2009 pageant will spread cheer and smiles in the lives of little children afflicted by cancer. Join us in our quest for finding beauty within.”

This was a day will not only be remembered by the children and guests but also by the 20 Miss India contestants, who will file this moment in their beauty diaries.

Pantaloons is the title sponsor for Femina Miss India 2009.(merinews.com)

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Miss India 2009: Crowning glories

It was a double whammy of sorts. First, exquisite crowns and jewellery exclusively designed by Collection G, in association with D’damas and World Gold Council, for the Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2009 pageant were unveiled at Sahara Star.

And then, the list of finalists of PFMI 2009 was revealed. From over 100 aspiring contestants who were present at the regional rounds, 20 stunning beauties finally made it to the top. These divas came one step closer to ‘Live the Dream’ – of winning the most coveted title – and will compete for the crowns at the Grand Finale stage. PFMI South 2009 and the newly introduced PFMI East 2009 were a major hit in the smaller metros and were received with much enthusiasm. Faith Pandey was crowned the final winner for PFMI South 2009 and Pooja Chopra for PFMI East 2009. Both have got a direct entry into the top 10 finalists of the PFMI 2009 national pageant grand finale.

These 20 finalists, from across India, sizzled on the ramp in the show choreographed by Marc Robinson (fashion director and contestant director, PFMI 2009). The gorgeous ladies were attired in cocktail dresses designed by renowned fashion designer Haasya Chandna. The makeup was done by Vivian D’Silva, make-up expert from Make-up Forever. The Hair styling was done by Najeeb-Ur-Rehman – chief colour and styling consultant from Schwarzkopf Professional.

Adding glamour to the grand evening was the unveiling of the three exquisitely designed crowns for the three winners, crafted by Collection G – a brand for the woman of today – in association with D’damas and World Gold Council, exclusively for the pageant. The intricately crafted crowns, inspired by the Sun, Moon and stars were unveiled by the brand ambassador of Collection G, Jacqueline Fernandez. The trendy Collection G jewellery adorning the contestants lent grandeur and beauty to the evening held beneath the world’s largest pillarless dome at magnificent Tropical Lagoon at Sahara Star.

“These 20 contestants are a young, confident, dynamic and intelligent with aspirational values,” stated Marc Robinson. Zahid Shaikh, chief marketing, Pantaloons said, “As the Pantaloons association with Femina Miss India now enters its third year, the pageant has moved from strength to strength. Youth and style are the cornerstones for both Pantaloons and Femina Miss India where Pantaloons is playing the part of grooming the contestants.” Ajay Mitra, managing director, World Gold Council said, “Gold decorates achievers and winners. This leads to a natural progression of introducing the Collection G ‘MISS INDIA ENSEMBLE’ that inspires women to reach greater heights. Our association with the contest over the last two years has firmly positioned gold on the podium along with the successful new-age women.” GK Nair, director, Gitanjali Group, added, “At Gitanjali, we believe that it’s beauty that captures your attention; personality which captures your heart, and a sparkling beauty should imbibe both these characteristics. What adds to the beauty is the jewellery a woman adorns and what’s closer to her than gold? keeping this in mind our brand Collection G by D’damas has partnered with the contest.” (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

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Here comes Femina Miss India 2009!

The stage is set and it’s time to conquer the World, the Universe and the Earth as well! The 20 Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2009 finalists are ready to set the stage on fire. Confident, fun loving, graceful yet flamboyant — the girls are here to make their mark.

The 20 finalists who were unveiled in Mumbai on Monday (March 9), surely seem to be having a lot of fun but there’s a lot of hardwork and training coming their way for the next month — all in a bid to win the most coveted title.

Marc Robinson, Contestant Director said, “The training includes a lot of things, we have a schedule planned out for them. Ther is a diet, they’ve got hair and make up. So ther’s a lot of things that goes into it.”

Sandeep Soparkar, Trainer & Choreographer said, “I would see to it that the girls have the right postures because when they exercise a lot sometimes they develop the wrong posture.”

Their journey to success has just begun and the girls all geared up to fulfil their dream of winning the dazzling crowns. Only 3 would live their dreams on the grand finale on the 5th of April 2009. (apakistannews.com)