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Neha Kapur is Miss India Universe

Last updated on: March 18, 2006 23:56 IST

"Oh god! It's still not sinking in. It has to sink. It has to sink," were among the first few words Miss India Universe 2006 Neha Kapur said when she won the most coveted crown.

"I feel unreal, euphoric. Your name being called out is the most amazing feeling. It's unbelievable. I remember backstage when they were calling out the lucky five who would make it from the ten of us I felt I was not going to make it. My name was the last to be called and here I am with the most beautiful crown on my head that every girl wants to wear," Kapur said.

Twenty two year old Miss India Universe Neha Kapur who hails from Delhi learnt classical dance forms when she was very young. She has four years of training in Bharatnatyam and eight years in Kathak.

"When I was a little kid learning dance my parents used to come and watch me there. Today they are here too. I am sure they are very proud," she said.

Mumbai too has a lot to cheer as both Miss India Earth 2006 Amrita Patki (20) and Miss India World 2006 Natasha Suri (21) are from the tinsel town.

Judges Tarun Tahiliani, Neha Dhupia, reader Vaishali Rajapurkar, Karisma Kapur, Suneet Verma, Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra, Zayed Khan, Rakshanda Khan, Karan Johar entertained the audience as and when they spoke.

Mini Mathur and Madhavan played the perfect host with their wit and humor. Performances from Kareena Kapur and Fardeen Khan were okay but not very entertaining.

Priyanka Jain in Mumbai