The Hindu : International : Awaiting a queen

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004

International

International

Awaiting a queen

TEL AVIV, SEPT. 13. Rajasthan will host the sixth Queen of the Desert contest for Israeli women this year. The sand dunes of the State will see 45 Israeli women vying for the title in an off-road competition, a first-time event in India. The contestants, all above 20, will be divided into three groups and tested on pre-defined criteria, including vehicle mastery and teamwork skills. The overall focus will be on evaluating efficiency in executing tasks, the organisers said here.

``Rajasthan for us is the paradise for an off-road expedition. It is desert on the one hand and a colourful and amazing place on the other,'' a spokesman for a co-sponsor of the contest said. This year's contest attracted 12,500 aspirants, partly because of the appeal India holds for Israeli youngsters.

The organisers plan to use Rajasthan's palaces during the contest.

Even while staying in tents, the contestants should get the feel of being a maharaja or a maharani, according to the spokesman.

Rajasthan was a sought-after venue. Some 150 participants have been short-listed and 45 will finally make it to India for the 10-day contest.

The selection process will be gruelling at various training camps in the coming weeks, according to an organiser.

``It would be like a dream-come-true to be in India for the contest. The combination of the venue and the nature of the contest drew me towards applying for it this year,'' Shira Weissel, 30, a lawyer, said.

In the past, the contest has been held in Jordan, Turkey, Ethiopia, Georgia and Thailand. — PTI

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