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Miss India Worldwide 2009

— Photo: AFP

Special moment: Nikkitasha Marhawa of America being crowned queen by 2008 winner Shagun Sarabhai in Durban on Saturday. .

Durban: A 19-year-old student of drama from the U.S. beat 24 contestants from all over the world to clinch the 18th Miss India Worldwide crown at a glittering event here.

Nikkitasha Marhawa, Indian-American from Chicago, who floored the audience with her classical Indian dance fusion, won the contest held here on Saturday night, beating contestants from Guyana, Fiji and South Africa. Her dance blew away the judges and captured the hearts of the audience, who gave her a standing ovation for her fast paced, precise and slick movements.

Stunned by her success, Ms. Marhawa said she was delighted that the victory would give her a platform to work in disadvantaged communities around the world.

“It was a fascinating experience which earned me many friends and has made me even more committed to the cause of Indian people and the greater human kind,” she said. The second place was clinched by Australia’s Kanchan Verma, who also danced a spectacular sequence.

“We are all winners. I enjoyed this event very much and over the last week, I met and made many friends,” said Ms. Verma. — PTI

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