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College, Bollywood and beauty pageants
Presenting the winners of the Miss India-Canada 2011 beauty pageant.
The annual Miss India-Canada 2011 pageant was held with much fanfare in Toronto on July 23. Here, we bring you a brief profile of the winner and runners-up:
Akhina Mooken,Miss India-Canada 2011
Akhina, 19, was crowned Miss India-Canada 2011 by actress Lisa Ray.
Akhina, who won the Miss Kerala-Canada title last year, told India Abroad, "As Miss India-Canada, I will tell young South Asians and others that they should believe in themselves; they should walk freely in their own skins and be proud of who they are...I will also tell them be proud of your culture."
She was 10 months old when her family migrated to Canada, and thanks to her understanding parents, she said, she never faced any cultural conflicts. "I find no conflict whatsoever. And, importantly, Canada is an accepting country," added the beauty queen, who is a trained Bharata Natyam dancer.
Akhina, who defeated 15 other contestants, said, "I couldn't find a better group of girls to work with. When we voted for Miss Congeniality, it was a 16-way tie. Everybody was equally good. Nobody wanted to pick one person. They were all amazing. It was truly the best group that I ever worked with. All 16 girls were phenomenal."
A student at George Brown College, she wants to go to earn a diploma as an elementary school teacher and finish her education before thinking of going to Bollywood, the preferred career destination of most Indian beauty queens.
"If such an opportunity comes, I might consider that option, but the first thing for me is to finish my education," she said.
But before that, she said, "I am slowly, slowly trying to believe that I have this title of Miss India-Canada 2011."
Aarthi Kalyan, first runner-up
Aarthi, 21 is thrilled to be the first runner-up in the Miss India-Canada beauty pageant, and not in any way disappointed that she missed the title.
"I am very, very happy. There's no disappointment at all," she told India Abroad.
In any case, Aarthi has other goals.
"I am a student at McMaster University in Hamilton, doing a major in political science and minor in religious studies," she said. "I am thinking of going into journalism with specialisation in Third World politics."
She will soon leave for Manila (her mother is a Filipino), where she will work for a few months as a reporter.
Aarthi, like winner Akhina Mooken, danced in the talent round. She performed a Bollywood and Bhangra dance routine that earned her a standing ovation from the 850 guests.
Aarthi seconded Akhina's view on the contestants. "The whole environment was so positive and the girls were so amazing. Everyone was helping each other."
Priya Leena Singh, second runner-up
Priya, 21, the Miss India-Canada 2011 second runner-up, has much in common with first runner-up Aarthi Kalyan.
Like Aarthi she is not disappointed. "It was an amazing experience," she said. "There's no disappointment. I gave it my best...I am happy for the winner."
While Aarthi is studying political science, Priya recently graduated from Queen's University with political science as her major. Priya too is considering a career in journalism.
"I wanted to use my voice and my ability to speak in society. So I have decided to go into investigative broadcasting or in any position in the media, and raising awareness about global issues. I want to focus on issues of global health, especially India," she said. "I think it is our duty, especially the younger generation's, to try and raise awareness in India and elsewhere."
For the moment, Priya is pursuing a graduate programme in corporate communications.
"The focal point of the program is public relations," she said.
Priya, who answered the question 'What do you think the biggest thing that the youth of today lack?' to clinch her place in the pageant, said, "In today's society the youth lack direction. What I mean by that is that young people today, born here in Canada, feel a lack of ability on their part to reach out to elders and gain some feed back and directions from them. Because we are blessed with so many opportunities, especially the younger generations, we tend to feel frustrated."
"I think as our society develops into multi-social media society, there's a negative aspect to it," she added. "It tends to dilute our relationship with the family...We don't take knowledge and guidance from others."
Priya, who last went to India as a child, plans to visit the country next month, and Bollywood is "definitely" on the cards.
"Every girl's dream is to go to Bollywood," she said. "I do acting and modelling. Through this (the pageant) let me see if I am granted an opportunity."
"I want to go to a spiritual retreat as well," she added. "Now, when I am a bit older, I will go with a different perspective. It is really important to submerge yourself in the culture, especially because I am an Indo-Canadian."
A role model: Honouring Lisa Ray
Actress Lisa Ray was honoured with the 2011 Special Achievement Award at the Miss India-Canada Beauty Pageant July 23.
"Lisa is a shining example of what the Miss India-Canada Event has promoted for the last two decades -- the promotion of South Asian talent from within Canada (and) across the globe," said Sanjay Agnihotri, president of the pageant. "Toronto-born, Lisa made her indelible mark in popular and critically-acclaimed films like Kasoor, Bollywood/Hollywood and Water."
Ray, who has returned to acting after battling cancer, crowned this year's winner.