Miss India Worldwide pageant in Dubai in 2004?

UAE-based promoters of Miss India Worldwide pageant are hoping to bring the finals of the international beauty contest to Dubai in the year 2004.

"Now that Santripti Vellody, Rivoli Miss India Middle East 2002, has become Miss India Worldwide 2002, it has helped us to create a good image and awareness of Dubai among pageant officials," Shekhar Rahate, the pageant's national director for the Middle East, said yesterday.

"This year's finals at Durban, South Africa, were awesome. Not a single thing went wrong," added Rajshree Iyer, promoter of the pageant. "We are hoping for full support of the authorities, sponsors and patrons. Only when this falls in line will we be able to bring the pageant to Dubai."

Santripti herself, dressed in a dark blue, sleeveless, churidar kurta patterned with silver sequins and her sparkling crown, said she would be happy to have the contest here. But immediately, she is hoping to focus on a musical career.

"I'm hoping the title will get me the long-awaited right record deal. I'm looking at companies based in the UAE," she said.

Santripti also wants to do music shows and raise money for disadvantaged children. She believed she won the title among 25 contestants from 25 countries because of what she answered. She had said she supports inter-racial marriages and believes they do not harm the Indian-ness of the child. Instead, parents can teach the child both their cultures.

"I was able to speak like that because my thinking has been shaped by good upbringing. From reading at home, from general awareness. I'm not dumb. That helps," she said laughing.

Santripti has won $3,000, airline tickets, luxury goods, a designer outfit and diamond jewellery. She knows she is now an "ambassador for non-resident Indians worldwide" and hopes to fulfil her responsibilities.