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Bhubaneswar: Beauty pageants are no more limited to ‘beauty with brains’. These competitions have redefined to be known for hosting charming personalities who lead with life lessons. From global pageants like Miss World and Miss Universe where the likes of Aishwarya Rais, Sushmita Sens and Priyanka Chopras had come out as winners through their intelligence, the beauty queens now, even at the national level, have gone on to be associated with inner substance of a woman- those who can inspire not only being beautiful from outside but who can lead humanity with lessons of life.
Recently, at the 4th Miss India Charming Face 2020 held in Goa, three young models from Odisha - Priyanka Mohapatra, Babita Sabar and Sasmita Panda emerged triumphant in the ICF Miss India Tourism and were adjudged winner, first and second runner-up, respectively.
The Super Models & Journey Odisha to Goa
PRIYANKA MOHAPATRA: Representing the land of brave Paikas – Khordha was Priyanka Mohapatra, who has been crowned winner of the beauty pageant. A graduate in Chemistry (Hons), Priyanka is also an actress in the Odia industry apart from being a wonderful artist.
“Coming from a typical joint family, I realise the value of the knowledge to help others. My family has always motivated me and I consider them my biggest inspiration. My mother is my biggest strength. She is not just an amazing homemaker but she is my best friend and superhero,” says Priyanka.
“It was my mother who introduced me to acting at a very tender age. Being on stage and in front of the camera makes me the happiest. What I want others to realize is s/he should never give up in life. Identify yourself, identify the talent within you and never ever try to suppress it. Love yourself and that is how you will start adding values to others’ lives too,” the new ICF winner expressed.
BABITA SABAR: Heading to the southern Odisha now, we have small-town girl Babita Sabar. Born in Rayagada, brought up in Koraput, she has just completed her Masters in English literature in Bhubaneswar. She happens to be the first girl from the Saura tribal community to have stepped into the glamour industry but there’s more to it than meets the eye.
“Yes, it’s true my parents didn’t support me initially, but my grandmother has always backed me. My family wasn’t aware of the shoots and event I was a part of. But whole family is happy and proud of me now after my achievement. I was in Top-7 last year and I could make it to the Top-2 this time, it gives me immense satisfaction.”
“I would also like to thank my friends Happy Behera and Kiran Kumar who kept on motivating me that I’m perfect for modelling; that’s when I started to discover myself. When I got selected for the nationals, my grandma decided to withdraw my grandpa’s pension amount so that we could use it for my preparations. While returning from the bank, she was robbed of all the cash. There were many ups and downs in life, but my father helped me with the registration and flight tickets. Because of the financial constraints, we couldn’t afford many designers. My mother along with my brother designed four of my costumes cropping her sarees."
In the national costume rounds (state representation), Babita came up with a unique costume to represent Soura culture and the cultivation – where she showcased a blend of community attire and Gurubar saree, to replicate the Tribal Goddess. That outfit’s headgear was made up of paddy, ragi, flowers and datepalm leaves, while the shoulders were shielded with heron feathers. What was good about the pageant’s swimsuit round is that each of the participant was allowed to don costume as per own comfort for the poolside shoot.
“I want to be a super-model. Very carefully I’m putting each step forward. Hopefully, I will achieve something big in the future,” claims Babita.
SASMITA PANDA: Second runner-up Sasmita Panda who is in her early twenties belongs to Jagatsinghpur district. Her family is now settled in Satya Nagar area of the capital city.
Panda is hardworking and very passionate about making a career in the industry. Ever since she started doing modelling some 3 years ago, she hasn’t looked back. “This was my first experience outside Odisha. I want to be a successful actress as well as a model. I’m at present trying to balance both these and make a career out of it. Modelling is my passion and acting would bring a stability in life. In the state costume round, I chose to represent the West Odisha culture. The traditional Sambalpuri attire is worn during Dal Khai fest."
“Being from a Brahmin family never posed a barrier for me. My parents have always supported me. And what I’ve achieved in the pageant is because of my hard work and their blessings. The crown has made me more determined for all my future endeavors,” said Panda who has played a lead in many music videos and shoots.
Courtesy a direct entry, the winner and the runner-up in the ICF Miss India 2020 will fly to Singapore next year in February/March to represent India at the international pageant.
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