Femina Miss India Pageant, 2008

Femina Miss India Pageant, 2008: Posted on April 7, 2008
Simran Kaur Mundi, winner of Femina Miss India Universe 2008, right, with Miss India World Parvati, and Miss India Earth Harishta Saxena, in Mumbai, on Saturday 5th April.

Finally, at their moment of reckoning, it was 90 seconds of deep thought that won them a permanent place in the annals of the country's biggest beauty pageant. Two young ladies, one from Kerala and the other from Goa, and a third, a homegrown Mumbaikar, were crowned winners of the Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2008 pageant at a star-studded ceremony held at the Andheri Sports Complex on Saturday night.

Kottayam native and a student of English Literature at Mumbai's Mithibai College, Parvathy Omanakuttan, 20, won the coveted title of PFMI World 2008, while biotechnology student of Versova Simran Kaur Mundi, 22, became PFMI Universe 2008. Goa's Harshita Saxena, 20, was thankful for having taken a shot at the contest; the college dropout won the PFMI Earth 2008 title.

Dressed in hip-hugging saris by couture diva Ritu Kumar, the winners were the picture of calm, collected happiness. They were crowned by last year's winners amidst a burst of tinsel and enthusiastic applause from their families seated in the audience. As anchor Dia Mirza said, the final question put to the five shortlisted candidates would be "same to same" but it was the response that would make all the difference. Asked whether the rise in divorce rates in India was due to western influence, Parvathy denied this. She felt it was up to an individual to decide whether their partner was worth them. "A spouse is not someone who completes you but shares your completeness." With this answer the girl struck double happiness. She had earlier won the PFMI South pageant. Simran felt the mindset of the modern young couple needed to be repaired by a strong education if they were to make marriage work for them, while Harshita said "we need to be stronger and more responsible persons before we can make ideal marriage partners".

Not only the judges but actor Kareena Kapoor also appeared impressed. Having won this major milestone, the three winners are now confident of bringing back the crown at international contests to follow.