Dubai teen is a hit for Oman at Miss India Worldwide 2013

Need proof that world peace and equality for all still holds good in a beauty pageant? Dubai resident Surbhi Sachdev, who represented Oman in the annual Miss India Worldwide 2013 contest held in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, emerged second runner-up after an answer that revolved around her quest for a better world.

The 19-year-old contestant was asked what cause she would take on if she won the crown. Her answer: She would work towards helping underprivileged children, since she believed in equal opportunities for all.

Sachdev went through a rigorous round of auditions in the UAE before being shortlisted for Miss India Worldwide, a annual travelling contest that is aimed at celebrating the best among women of Indian origin living outside their country, also known as NRIs (non-resident Indians).

She competed against women from 39 other countries, with the first and second place going to Miss United Kingdom and Miss Malaysia. Also flying the Middle Eastern flag high were contestants representing the UAE and Qatar. Both Geetanjali Kelath from the UAE and Alysha Suri from Qatar made it to the top ten.