Andaman to organise Island Beauty Pageant

Port Blair, Feb 2 (UNI) A one-of-its-kind Island Beauty Contest will be organised here in Andaman and Nicobar Islands on February 10.

It will be for the second time that this pagaent is being held, the last time being in 2003.

''I think beauty contests are, nowadays, a platform to test the combination of beauty and brains. It acts as a tremendous confidence booster,'' Mahender Prasad, the organiser of the event told UNI today.

''We would try to hold a large scale event in the coming years,'' he added.

This contest is for the local islanders, aged between 17 and 30, to showcase their talents. There will be cultural events, fashion shows, and state and traditional rounds.

In the state rounds, contestants can wear the dress of their state. A Kashmiri contestant can compete wearing a Kashmiri dress in this round.

''We conducted the first Island Beauty Contest on 2003 during December. This year we are planning to hold the event in early February,'' Mr Prasad said.

The top three winners man and woman--will win cash prizes of Rs 21,000, Rs 15000 and Rs 10000 respectively. Besides there are other consolation prizes.

Two Nicobari tribal girls will also be participating in this contest. Apart from them, the other participants are from Port Blair.

''We are very concerned about the sensitivity of the islands, and respect the cultural value, hence we would not go overboard with the fashion show. We will hold the ''Mr and Mrs Andaman'' contests in the near future,'' he added.

According to the organisers, they had to face the stiff challenge of finding adequate sponsors for the show. But now they are comfortably supported by some Port Blair-based business houses.

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