Pageant celebrates inimitable partnership

When Rhythm House Limited director Dharmesh Parikh approached us about eight years ago stating that he had established an event management company to conduct beauty pageants in Auckland, we could see the potential for the project to go national.

“What would you like us to do? We are a publishing house,” we said.

“I would like Indian Newslink to be an exclusive print media partner just as we would have Radio Tarana to represent the broadcasting industry.”

Since then Dharmesh has switched a number of daytime jobs, became a husband and started a family with two lovely twin daughters and restructured his company (which is now known as Reshabh D Parikh Productions); Indian Newslink became a fortnightly (from March 2003) but nothing else has changed.

He has developed his annual pageant – Miss Indianz – into a much sought-after brand, with the winners participating in Miss India Worldwide and other beauty contests, some of them making a foray into show business.

“Miss Indianz will always remain exclusive to this newspaper because our relationship has transcended time and tide and has been mutually rewarding,” he said.

Dharmesh has displayed similar loyalty to those who have been with him including Colin Mathura-Jeffree who choreographs and directs the show, apart from training the aspirants.

“There is a certain joy in working with the people you know and the forthcoming pageant will be no exception,” Dharmesh said.

Miss Indianz 2009 will be held on September 5 from 8 pm at the Avondale College Theatre in Avondale, Auckland. Tickets are currently available at Ticketek at $25 per person but rise to $35 per person at the venue.

The following is the second instalments of the contestants, following the first, which appeared in our July 15, 2009 issue.

 Asha Kumar

The hospitality industry in general and travel and tourism in particular evinces the interest of this contestant, who hopes to become a flight attendant “sometime in the future.”

Asha Kumar believes that everything happens for a good reason, akin to the theory of karma that has enshrined Hinduism for thousands of years and found a new awakening among the people of the Western World.

“I do not believe in taking anyone for granted, especially those you love. My motto is ‘Life is too short to have bickering; grab every available opportunity and make the best of it.’ I also believe in getting over the past, enjoying the present and living for the future,” she said.

Kirti Alang 

This 20-year-old aspirant lives in windy Wellington, where she is pursuing an architecture course at Victoria University.

Modelling is her interest and beauty contests are not new for her; she has been a finalist at the ‘Gladrags 2008’ contest (“I had to quit”) and ‘Miss Punjab 2008’ pageant, apart from winning the runner-up title at ‘Dancing Star 2008’ event.

“I am competing in Miss Indianz 2009 primarily to get to my roots and learn more about Indian culture. Apart from the thrills and challenges of competing, getting to know other girls with the same mind frame excites me about this pageant,” she said.

Kirti believes that Miss India worldwide is the only Indian pageant where a woman is judged by her inner beauty and talent rather than “mere physical plastic appearance.”

She could be forgiven for her singular belief since she has not been a Miss Indianz contestant earlier.

Prerna Sinha 

Twenty-one-year-old Prerna Sinha is one of those international students who earned a successful career following their successful completion of studies in New Zealand.

Qualified in IT at the AUT University, the 21-year-old is currently employed as a web developer and a programmer for an Auckland based firm.

Born and raised in her native Madhya Pradesh in India, Prerna loves to paint and cook.

“Music makes me come alive and I love dancing. I have taken part in a number of dance competitions,” she said.

Varsha Donthi Reddy

Modelling and beauty contests are the passion of this 18-year-old contestant who hails from Hyderabad, capital of the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

A bachelor of Computers and Information Science student at the AUT University, Varsha desires to be known as the ‘icon of success.’

“I have immense pride in being recognised as an Indian and as a Kiwi. I relish both identities and now I would look forward to celebrating as the winner of Miss Indianz 2009,” she said.

This teenager believes that while good luck and good fortune will take her places, hard work remained the key to success in life and career.

“I will put my best foot forward,” she said.

Tasmeeta Patel

While the Waikato region has been a farmers’ paradise for more than 100 years, Hamilton has grown to become a serious contender to Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North, Christchurch and Dunedin as an ‘Academic City.’

If you were to ask Tasmeeta Patel, she will cite several reasons for this ‘cool town’ just about 100 kms away from us.

“I would like to pursue a career in public relations, following my graduation in communications studies,” she said.

As well as a graduate degree, her aim is to be someone in the beauty business.

The New Zealand-born aspirant, who turned 20 in June, is also fond of singing, which she says would be an advantage at the forthcoming contest.