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 India seems to have gotten firmly entrenched on the world beauty map, ever since Sushmita Sen first flashed her pearlies and set the crown on her pretty head, thence never to let go except to hand it to a fellow Indian! LARA DUTTA is the latest queen bee; poised, articulate, not much of the peaches-and-cream here, but, as she’s quick to point out, today its brains over beauty that counts. With her term up in May 2001, everyone is agog to know what this young lady has lined up next. PUNAM MOHANDAS met up with Miss Universe on the latter’s recent visit to the City of Joy, to find out what’s up and what’s hot, with the most Wanted Woman.
Q. What plans does Miss Universe have for her country?
Answer : I’m aiming at setting up mobile reproductive health clinics that will travel to the rural areas of India. As of now I’m looking at the two states of Karnataka and Maharashtra because I’m more familiar with the state govts there and so on. And then expand from there and affiliate them to existing NGO’s.
Q. What do you think about India based NGO groups?
Answer : From what I’ve seen, the work they’ve done is absolutely incredible. These are people who are living these lives every single day. I mean I’ve just been to some of the worst slum areas in Calcutta and it was depressing just walking down the street. And these people (NGO’s) deal with this on a day-to-day basis. They’re not asking for recognition or fame, they’re doing it with complete dedication. I think the NGO’s in the country are doing a really, really, good job. There’s always this problem when the funds come in and they’re not being utilized properly but I think today, resource mobilization is being used in a much better way and you can see the difference visually.
Q. Let’s talk some more about you. Did you ever think your hard work would culminate in ‘the’ crown?
Answer : Honestly? No. I started modeling when I was sixteen and that was the be-all and end-all for my career.. I took the whole Miss India/Miss Universe thing alot more seriously just for the last two years. It’s a big responsibility though; its not just hand waves and I-love-you kisses. Its difficult, but fun — I think its important to enjoy what you’re doing.
Q. By and large, have you found people receptive to the views you express?
Answer : If I walk out of my room in the morning, I’m not walking out as Miss Universe, i.e. the most beautiful woman in the world. No, that’s not what I’m trying to promote. I’m intelligent enough to know what I’m dealing with, I want to make a difference. Definitely, for a long time, there’s always been this image that people look upon what you guys call ‘beauty queen’ but we refer to them as ‘title holders’ ha, ha, that you’re just a pretty face which means you have nothing to say! But there’s a changing trend in the way title holders are viewed now. There’s so much of emphasis on intelligence rather on what the girl looks like.
Q. How do you deal with envy?
Answer : It always exists. In any profession. My theory in life is very simple as far as my work is concerned. Keep my mouth shut, do my job, get my money and get out! As long as you are in touch with reality...
Q. What have the past few months been like?
Answer : This year has been absolutely incredible for me. Not just because I won Miss Universe, but because of the things that I’ve seen and experienced and I’ve learnt. I have put into my life something that will take another person a lifetime to see. But in this one year I’ve kind of had a crash course in it.
Q. What’s next on the cards, for you?
Answer : Umm, well, as of now, a) its getting this foundation off the ground, in India. I’ve just applied to Columbia to do a masters program in journalism and film making. I’ve always been interested in television and media, but I don’t know if I want to do Bollywood, if that’s where this question is heading?! I’m actually looking at doing a lot more than Bollywood. Once a model, always a model, its in your blood. As of now, I’m modeling for the official Miss Universe sponsors; there are other offers after the term is over, but I’d rather keep them up my sleeve for now.
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