- Femina Miss India
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Miss India or Femina Miss India is a national beauty pageant in India, one of the most recognized contests to produce international beauty queens in the 90s, which annually selects three winners to compete globally . It is organized by Femina, a women's magazine published by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.
In 2007, the organizers of Femina Miss India decided to eliminate runners-up and that all three finalists, who represented India in Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Earth, were all equal winners, unlike previous years.[1][2]
The winners of Femina Miss India 2008 celebrate after their crowning.
As of 2010, Femina Miss India relinquished the franchise to send a representative to the Miss Universe pageant, and the third winner will represent India in Miss International instead.
The current Femina Miss India titleholders are Kanishtha Dhankhar as Femina Miss India World 2011, Hasleen Kaur as Femina Miss India Earth 2011, and Ankita Shorey as Femina Miss India International 2011.
Contents
International pageants
Miss India has been participating in the Miss Universe pageant since 1953, starting with Indrani Rehman; and in the Miss World pageant since 1959, starting with Fleur Ezekiel. There is no clause that stipulates that the winner of Miss India (or winner of a National Title) cannot participate in the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants in the same year. However, after the Femina Miss India pageant was established, the custom was to send the winner to the Miss Universe pageant and the runner-up to the Miss World contest.
Traditionally, the second-runner up used to represent India in the Miss Asia-Pacific and other independent pageant winners are sent to less prominent international pageants such as Miss Asia and Miss International. From 1995, the practice of choosing a single winner or "Miss India" was changed to instead elect representatives to the different international pageants. The three winners, who receive equal prizes and status but are called Miss India winners, and are designated Miss India World, Miss India Universe, and Miss India Asia-Pacific. As of 2002, the third winner is no longer be sent to Miss Asia-Pacific, but to the Miss Earth pageant, which is recognized as one of the three most prestigious beauty pageants in the world.[3][4]
The awards for 1989 were given at the end of the year (December); hence there was no separate contest for 1990.
In 1994, Sushmita Sen won the Miss Universe title after winning the Miss India crown and became the first Indian woman ever to win the Miss Universe crown. The same year the runner-up of Miss India, Aishwarya Rai, won the Miss World title. Both Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai established themselves in the Bollywood industry after winning their titles.
The success of Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen spawned coaching institutions which were set up to groom girls in pageant participation skills. The number of participants in the preliminary rounds of the pageant has increased considerably. Miss India World 1997, Diana Hayden won the title of Miss World 1997. Pageant winners are also groomed for months in preparation for the international contest. In 1999, the Miss India winner Yukta Mookhey went on to win the Miss World that year.
In 2000, three of the Miss India winners won their respective international pageants – Lara Dutta (Miss Universe), Priyanka Chopra (Miss World) and Diya Mirza (Miss Asia-Pacific). The only other country to have won all three major titles in one year was Australia in 1972.
In 2007-2009, three equal winners were selected going to Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss Earth.[2]
In 2010, Nicole Faria became the first Indian to win the Miss Earth title in Vietnam.
Controversies
Controversies erupted in the year 2008 when President of Gladrags, Maureen Wadia served a legal notice to the newly crowned Pantaloons Femina Miss India Earth 2008, Harshita Saxena for violation of a two-year exclusive contract with Gladrags which had been signed by Harshita in the year 2006. To participate in any other beauty pageant, Harshita would have required a written letter of no-objection from Gladrags. Earlier in an interview with CNN-IBN Maureen Wadia said, "Harshita Saxena from Goa is a Gladrags model. She was a part of my Megamodel Contract in April 2006. Her contract has not expired and Harshita has entered in some other contest before the contract has expired. The contract clearly said that they have to take my permission." Owing to this, Harsita had to give up the title and the crown passed on to Tanvi Vyas who represented India in the Miss Earth 2008 paegent held in the November of 2008.[5] Harshita was later placed 4th in Miss India 2009 and represented India in Miss International 2009.
Starting in 2010, Femina Miss India relinquished the franchise to send a representative to the Miss Universe pageant. Tantra Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (TEPL) in collaboration with 1994 Miss Universe Sushmita Sen have started a new pageant called I Am She – Miss Universe India. The winner of this pageant will participate in the Miss Universe pageant.[6]
Tragedy
A former Miss India Winner Nafisa Joseph committed suicide in July 2004, hanging herself in her Mumbai flat.
By number of wins
Pageant Titles Winning years Miss World 5 1966, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000 Miss Earth 1 2010 Miss International 0 Miss Universe 2 1994, 2000 Miss Asia Pacific 3 1970, 1973, 2000 Representatives to Miss World
India did not send delegates in 1967, 1965, 1964, 1963
- Winner at Miss World
Year Representatives to Miss World State Ranking 2011 Kanishtha Dhankhar Maharashtra 2010 Manasvi Mamgai[7] New Delhi 2009 Pooja Chopra Maharashtra Semifinalist. Beauty With a Purpose winner 2008 Parvathy Omanakuttan Kerala 1st Runner-Up. Continental Queen of Beauty – Asia Pacific 2007 Sarah Jane Dias Maharashtra 2006 Natasha Suri Maharashtra Semifinalist 2005 Sindhura Gadde Andra Pradesh Semifinalist 2004 Sayali Bhagat. First won by Lakshmi Pandit.(Dethroned) Maharashtra 2003 Ami Vashi Gujarat 3rd Runner-up 2002 Shruti Sharma Uttar Pradesh Semifinalist 2001 Sara Corner Karnataka 2000 Priyanka Chopra Uttar Pradesh Miss World 2000 1999 Yukta Mookhey Maharashtra Miss World 1999 1998 Annie Thomas Uttar Pradesh 1997 Diana Hayden Andhra Pradesh Miss World 1997 1996 Rani Jeyraj Karnataka Finalist 1995 Preeti Mankotia Karnataka 1994 Aishwarya Rai Karnataka Miss World 1994 1993 Karminder Kaur-Virk Chandigarh 1992 Shyla Lopez Karnataka 1991 Ritu Singh New Delhi Semifinalist 1989–1990 Naveeda Mehdi Maharashtra 1988 Anuradha Kottur Maharashtra 1987 Manisha Kohli Maharashtra 1986 Maureen Mary Lestourgeon Maharashtra 1985 Sharon Mary Clarke Maharashtra 1984 Suchita Kumar Maharashtra 1983 Sweety Grewal Maharashtra 1982 Uttara Mhatre Kher Maharashtra 1981 Deepti Divakar Andhra Pradesh 1980 Elizabeth Anita Reddi Andhra Pradesh Semifinalist 1979 Raina Winifred Mendonica Maharashtra 1978 Kalpana Iyer Maharashtra Semifinalist 1977 Veena Prakash Withdrew in protest against the presence of a white Miss South Africa 1976 Naina Balsavar Withdrew 1975 Anjana Sood Maharashtra Semifinalist 1974 Kiran Dholakia Maharashtra 1972 Malathi Basappa Karnataka 4th Runner-up 1971 Prema Narayan Andra Pradesh 1970 Heather Corinne Faville Maharashtra Semifinalist 1969 Adina Shellim Maharashtra 1968 Jane Coelho New Delhi 1966 Reita Faria Maharashtra Miss World 1966 1962 Ferial Karim Maharashtra Semifinalist 1961 Veronica Leonora Maharashtra 1960 Iona Pinto Maharashtra 1959 Fleur Ezekiel Maharashtra India's debut in Miss World Representatives to Miss Earth
- Winner at Miss Earth
Year Representatives to Miss Earth State Ranking 2011 Hasleen Kaur Delhi 2010 Nicole Faria[7] Karnataka Miss Earth 2010 2009 Shriya Kishore Maharashtra Top 16 Semifinalist 2008 Tanvi Vyas First Won By Harshita Saxena. [ Dethroned ] Gujarat 2007 Pooja Chitgopekar New Zealand Miss Earth – Air 2006 Amruta Patki Maharashtra Miss Earth – Air 2005 Niharika Singh Uttaranchal 2004 Jyoti Brahmin. First won by Sayali Bhagat, who later became Miss India World Maharashtra Top 16 Semifinalist 2003 Shweta Vijay Kerala 2002 Reshmi Ghosh West Bengal 2001 Shamita Singha Maharashtra Top 10 Semifinalist Representatives to Miss International
An Indian woman has never won the Miss International title and India did not send delegates to Miss International in 1963 -1967, 1972, 1977, 1989, 1990.
Year Representatives to Miss International State Ranking 2011 Ankita Shorey Mumbai 2010 Neha Hinge[7] Madhya Pradesh Semifinalist 2009 Harshita Saxena Goa 2008 Radha Brahmbhatt Gujarat, Northwood, London 2007 Esha Gupta Maharashtra 2006 Sonali Sehgal Maharashtra Semifinalist 2005 Vaishali Desai Maharashtra 2004 Mihika Verma Maharashtra Semifinalist 2003 Shonali Nagrani Maharashtra 1st Runner -up 2002 Gauhar Khan Maharashtra 2001 Kanwal Toor Maharashtra Semifinalist 2000 Gayatri Joshi Maharashtra Semifinalist 1999 Srikrupa Murali Kerala 1998 Shwetha Jaishanker 2nd Runner-up 1997 Diya Abraham Maharashtra 1st Runner up 1996 Fleur Xavier Maharashtra 1995 Priya Gill Maharashtra 1994 Fransesca Hart Maharashtra 1993 Pooja Batra Maharashtra Semifinalist 1992 Kamal Sandhu New Delhi 1991 Preeti Mankotia Karnataka Semifinalist 1988 Shikha Swaroop Maharashtra 1987 Erika Maria de Souza Maharashtra Semifinalist 1986 Poonam Pahlet Gidwant Maharashtra 1985 Vinita Seshadri Vasan New Delhi 1984 Nalanda Ravindra Bhandar West Bengal Semifinalist 1983 Sahila Chadha Maharashtra 1982 Betty O'Connor Maharashta 1981 Meenakshi Seshadri New Delhi 1980 Ulrika Karen Bredemeyer Maharashtra 1979 Nita Pinto Maharashtra 1978 Sabita Dhanrajgir Punjab 1976 Nafisa Ali Maharashtra 2nd Runner-up 1975 Indira Maria Bredemeyer Maharashtra 2nd Runner-up 1974 Leslie Jean Hartnett New Delhi 1972 Indira Muthanna Karnataka 1971 Samita Mukherjee West Bengal 1970 Patricia D'Souza New Delhi Semifinalist 1969 Wendy Leslie Vaz Maharashtra 1968 Sumita Sen West Bengal Semifinalist 1962 Sheila Chonkar Maharashtra 1961 Diana Valentine New Delhi 1960 Iona Pinto Maharashtra 1st Runner-up Representatives to Miss Universe
India did not compete in the Miss Universe for ten years from 1953–1963. A separate pageant, I Am She – Miss Universe India, was created to send contestants to Miss Universe from 2010 onwards.
- Winner at Miss Universe
Year Representatives to Miss Universe State Ranking 2009 Ekta Chowdhary Haryana 2008 Simran Kaur Mundi Maharashtra 2007 Puja Gupta Delhi Top 10 finalist 2006 Neha Kapur Delhi Top 20 finalist 2005 Amrita Thapar Maharashtra 2004 Tanushree Dutta Jharkhand Top 10 finalist 2003 Nikita Anand Delhi 2002 Neha Dhupia Delhi Top 10 finalist 2001 Celina Jaitley West Bengal 4th Runner-up 2000 Lara Dutta New Delhi Miss Universe 2000 1999 Gul Panag Punjab Top 10 finalist 1998 Lymaraina D'Souza Maharashtra Top 10 finalist 1997 Nafisa Joseph Karnataka Top 10 finalist 1996 Sandhya Chib Karnataka Top 10 finalist 1995 Manpreet Brar Delhi 1st Runner -up 1994 Sushmita Sen Delhi Miss Universe 1994 1993 Namrata Shirodkar Maharashtra Top 6 finalist 1992 Madhu Sapre Maharashtra 2nd Runner-up 1991 Christabelle Howie Tamil Nadu 1990 Suzanne Sablok Maharashtra Semifinalist 1989 Dolly Minhas succeeded dethroned winner Kalpana Pandit. Chandigarh 1987 Priyadarshini Pradhan Maharashtra Best National Costume Award. 1986 Mehr Jessia Maharashtra 1985 Sonu Walia New Delhi 1984 Juhi Chawla Punjab Best National Costume Award. 1983 Rekha Hande Maharashtra 1982 Pamela Chaudry Singh New Delhi 1981 Rachita Kumar Maharashtra 1980 Sangeeta Bijlani Maharashtra Best National Costume Award 1979 Swaroop Sampat Maharashtra 1978 Alamjeet Kaur Chauhan Chandigarh Best National Costume Award 1977 Bineeta Bose Maharashtra 1976 Naina Sudhir Balsavar Uttar Pradesh 1975 Meenakshi Kurpad Mumbai 1974 Shailini Bhavnath Dholakia Maharashtra Semifinalist 1973 Farzana Habib Maharashtra Semifinalist 1972 Roopa Satyan Semifinalist 1971 Raj Gill Maharashtra 1970 Veena Sajnani Maharashtra 1969 Kavita Bhambhani Maharashtra 1968 Anjum Mumtaz Barg Maharashtra 1967 Nayyara Mirza New Delhi 1966 Yasmin Daji Maharashtra 3rd Runner-up 1965 Persis Khambatta Maharashtra 1964 Meher Castelino Mistri Maharashtra 1952 Indrani Rehman Tamil Nadu India's debut at the Miss Universe Representatives to Miss Asia Pacific
Miss India used to send its third winner to compete in Miss Asia Pacific. Even though Miss Asia Pacific International was a prestigious beauty pageant, it wasn't conducted regularly and in 2006 ceased to exist. Since 2001 the Femina Miss India organization sent the third winner to the Miss Earth competition and the last candidate from Miss India to Miss Asia Pacific was Simran Chandok.
- Winner at Miss Asia Pacific International
Year Representatives to Miss Asia – Pacific International Ranking 2005 Simran Chandok 2003 Shonal Rawat 1st Runner-up 2002 Tina Chatwal 2nd Runner-up 2001 Maheshwari 2000 Dia Mirza Miss Asia Pacific 2000 1999 Shivangi Parikkh 1998 Vikkitha Aggarwal 1997 Divya Chauhan 1st Runner-up 1996 Mini Menon 1995 Ruchi Malhotra 1st Runner -up 1994 Shweta Menon 1993 Namrata Shirodkar 1st Runner up 1992 Mehroo Jal Mistry 1989 Anuradha Ramani 1988 Viola Antony 1987 Jasleem Kaur 1986 Ana Vasan 1985 Seema Malhotra 1983 Monica Lakshmana 1982 Aparna Sharma 1981 Mehjabeen Ayub Khan 1980 Upneet Pannu 1979 Maureen Mary Lestourgeon 1st Runner -up 1978 Preeti Koppikar 1977 Marianne De Souza 1st Runner up 1976 Anna Adriane Bredemeyer 2nd Runner -up 1975 Seema Marwaha 1974 Marilyn Theresa Ferreira 1973 Tara Anna Fonseca Miss Asia Pacific 1973 1972 Samita Mukherjee Earlier competed in Miss International 1971. 1971 Urmila Sanandan 1970 Zeenat Aman Miss Asia Pacific 1970 1969 Tasneem Fakir Mohammed 1968 Anabella Crawford References
- ^ "Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2011". Timescontent.com. 2010-04-30. http://www.timescontent.com/tss/showcase/virtual/photos/118/Femina-Miss-India-2011/1/d/Femina-Miss-India-2011.html. Retrieved 2010-05-17.
- ^ a b "The Hindu News Update Service". Hindu.com. 2007-04-09. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200704091922.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-17.
- ^ "The Swazi Observer". Observer.org.sz. 2009-01-15. http://www.observer.org.sz/index.php?news=828. Retrieved 2010-05-17.
- ^ Dennison, Gareth. "Swallownest woman in bid for Miss Earth UK title". Dinnington Today. http://www.dinningtontoday.co.uk/news/Swallownest-woman-in-bid-for.4297403.jp. Retrieved 2010-05-17.
- ^ "Miss India Earth to fight for crown in court – Movies News". ibnlive. 2010-02-03. http://www.ibnlive.com/news/miss-india-earth-to-fight-for-crown-in-court/63008-8.html. Retrieved 2010-05-17.
- ^ "30 contestants gear up for Miss Universe". Hindustan Times. 2010-04-30. http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/fashionandbeauty/30-contestants-gear-up-for-Miss-Universe/Article1-537155.aspx. Retrieved 2010-05-17.
- ^ a b c "Manasvi Mamgai is Femina Miss India World 2010". OneIndia.in. May 1, 2010. http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/news/2010/manasvi-miss-india-world-010510.html. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
External links
Miss India winners in the Grand Slam pageants Miss Universe 
Miss World Reita Faria (1966) · Aishwarya Rai (1994) · Diana Hayden (1997) · Yukta Mookhey (1999) · Priyanka Chopra (2000)Miss Asia Pacific Miss Earth India • Panamá • Puerto Rico • USA • Venezuela Categories:- Femina Miss India winners
- Beauty pageants in India
- Events of The Times Group
- Beauty pageants
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