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Looks fine, sounds better

Photo: PTI

back in form Ekta Chowdhary at the Ritu Kumar design studio in Gurgaon

It takes dollops of confidence, wit and intellect, apart from flawless beauty to win a beauty pageant. Ekta Chowdhary, Miss India Universe 2009, seems to have it all, as she proved at a fitting session with renowned fashion designer Ritu Kumar recently in Gurgaon. This is a part of her preparations for the Miss Universe contest to be held in the Bahamas later this year. Kumar has designed non-synthetic clothes with an ethnic look for Ekta, since the 22-year-old beauty queen says she likes wearing saris. In a black peshwa with golden embellishments, Ekta dazzles with her smile.

“Change has happened,” she says. “Earlier I was just Ekta struggling for my dreams, but now the whole country is with me. I represent India. Now it’s not just about me, it’s about the people who are praying for and supporting me. I feel I can do it, but I also feel a bit under pressure.”

Ekta won the Pantaloons Femina Miss India-Universe title earlier this year in Mumbai. “I am working hard,” she says. “I am being groomed by the best from the industry and that will obviously make an impact. I am on a strict diet and have been working out regularly.” She smiles, “I was a foodie but now I can’t binge on food just like that.”

Slipping into a green Calico with burgundy shades resembling a sari, Ekta, standing five feet nine-and-a-half inches and looking even more gorgeous, speaks about her support system.“It was my childhood dream to be a beauty pageant winner. My parents were my biggest support and I am here because of them, apart from friends.” As for competition at the big event, Ekta feels as Miss India she has an advantage. “My culture, my thinking and the multicultural homeland I represent make it my USP. Also, I think I represent the contemporary urban Indian woman who is modern yet attached to her roots. She has a sense of character and self-worth.”

That’s telling them!

ABAN USMANI

SHIVANGI PUSHKARNA

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