Young glamour

Teen queen show proves adolescents are no longer gawky

"I did not even think of entering the finals and winning. My dad will have to pinch me the whole night today," Aakanksha Mansukhani told me, minutes after being crowned the "Pantene Zee India Teen Queen 2002" (Middle East) at the Nad Al Sheba Club lawns late on Thursday night.

We were backstage, photographers milling round the beauty queens. Like a true professional, Aakanksha, dressed in a bright orange lehenga choli, pulled first runner-up Reanne Rodrigues and second runner-up Nova Krishnan close to her. Then they all posed, smiling, arm-in-arm, creating a perfect picture of beauty, youth and happiness.

Apart from winning cash prizes, Aakanksha and Reanne also go on to attend the finals of the Zee International Teen Queen beauty pageant in Goa, India.

Minutes earlier, Aakanksha had burst into tears on stage, covering her face with her palms as she sobbed for joy. "I was extremely touched with her reaction," said Rinke Khanna, Indian actress and a judge at the beauty pageant.

"We all tried to be as fair as possible. But I'm very happy that the person who won is someone who truly appreciates winning."