Smalltown girl conquers world

BAREILLY (U.P.), DEC. 1. Ms. Madhu Jyotsna Akhauri, maternal grandmother of Ms. Priyanka Chopra, finds it hard to believe that the girl who was playing on her lap the other day has won the Miss World title. ``I watched the event the whole night and felt on top of the world when mimi (Priyanka's pet name) was adjudged the winner,'' she said.

Ms. Akhauri credits Priyanka's success to her determination and self-confidence but also lauds the role of her daughter, Dr. Madhu Chopra, in Priyanka's success. The proud nani (grandmother) said she practically brought up Priyanka as both her parents were employed.

Born on July 18, 1982, Priyanka, after completing her Class 10 from St. Maria Goretti school shifted to the Army School. At that time, she wanted to become a criminal psychologist, the grandmother recalls fondly.

However, winning the ``May Queen'' contest at the Bareilly Club last year changed all that. She decided to plunge into the field of glamour and went on to participate in the Femina Miss India contest. The rest, as they say, is history.

The 18-year-old idolises sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar and is greatly influenced by both Indian classical and western music. She relishes Indian, Mexican and Spanish food and is specially attached with her 11-year-old brother Siddhartha, Ms. Akhauri said.

Situated in the Rohelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, the town has woken up to the fact that it is home to a beauty queen. Everywhere, people are discussing the event. A banner reading ``Mimi, we are proud of you'' hangs at a hotel on Station Road. Almost every one watched the whole contest on television night and felt proud. Another hotel has decided to set up a fan cub of the new Miss World while some local businessmen plan to give her the world's longest greeting card on her return to get the town listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

- UNI

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