The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : 75 contestants, one supermom

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

75 contestants, one supermom

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: Pinning hopes on the introduction round, A.K.Jayanthi rehearsed her walk for the third time, as her kids looked on. A little away from her was Nila Rajeevan who was prepared to impress the judges with a unique introduction about her self.

Other participants looked anxiously at their children who signalled thumbs up to cheer their moms. It was a contest of different sorts for the moms, who, for a change, received liberal doses of advice from their children.

“Keep flashing a smile. Don't be jumpy,” said a college-goer to her mom, who meticulously nodded her head. ‘ The Hindu Chennai Super Mom 2010', a contest held here on Sunday to mark the Mothers' Day, saw similar pep talks happening at every corner of the Chennai Trade Centre.

From the 75 contestants who battled it out through several interesting rounds, 30 were selected for the semi-finals.

The introduction round at the semi-finals was seemingly a cakewalk for many. But for those who took it very lightly, it cost them a place in the next round. A total of 15 contestants who impressed the judges with their distinctive introduction about themselves got past the first set of semis.

They then brushed up their general knowledge for the next round. Questions on Winter Olympics, Sri Lankan Presidential elections and Grammy awards featured in the round. Five contestants answered most of the questions and stamped their place in the finals.

A panel of celebrity judges including actors Nadiya, Uma Riyaz Khan, and dentist Vijayabharathi Rangarajan assessed the contestants based on a range of criteria such as intelligence, multitasking ability, creativity, parenting and talent.

Answering the bumper question on ‘Why does what the society thinks matter so much?, Nila Rajeevan bagged the coveted Super Mom title, along with Rs.50,000 cash prize and loads of other goodies.

First runner-up went to Saira Anwar, who won Rs.30,000 as cash prize, and second runner-up Aarti Vijaykumar won Rs. 20,000 cash prize.

While the stage sizzled with the performances of the final contestants, parallel sub-contests such as ‘Quick Bytes,' a dry cooking contest, ‘Design Factory,' a dress designing contest, and a fancy dress competition for kids, attracted kids who failed to make it into the final rounds.

Aquaguard is the presenting sponsor, Velammal Educational Trust is the associate sponsor, Nathella Sampathu Chetty, Sowbaghya and instore are the co-sponsors, 1st Step is the fancy dress sponsor,

Nalli is the Design Factory partner, Joyalukkas, RMKV, Sri Palam Silk Sarees, O2 Health Studio, Witco, Lalitha Jewellery and Mahavir Optics are the sponsors for the prizes.

NDTV-Hindu is the television partner, Chennai Live the Radio Partner and Beep the event manager.

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