BANGALORE: Bangalore girl Noyonita Lodh was crowned Yamaha Fascino Miss Diva Universe 2014 recently, and she was honoured on stage by former Miss Universe Lara Dutta. The grand finale to the beauty pageant saw Delhi’s Alankrita Sahai bagging the 1st runner-up and city-based Asha Bhat the 2nd runner-up crown.
The panel of judges for the final round included Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, former Miss India and actor Esha Gupta and designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil. The contestants walked the ramp in stunning outfits and took on the questions asked by the judges with ease and elegance. Shantanu and Nikhil did their costumes, while their hair and make-up was by Dessange Paris.
Speaking about the experience, Noyonita Lodh says, “It was an intensive grooming process for me that included nutrition, training, personality development. We were taught how to walk the ramp, do our own hair and make-up and take care of ourselves.”
Noyonita (21) is a student at St Joseph’s College of Commerce and won the second runner-up crown at Miss Bangalore when she was 18. She also won the Miss Rampwalk title at the pageant and will represent the country at the Miss Universe contest that will be held in Miami. Asked about what she has learnt from the pageant, she says, “It is important for me to love myself in order for others to love me. I have learnt that one has to be positive, strong and confident to survive in this world.”
What are her hopes for the Miss Universe pageant in Miami? “It’s a huge responsibility to represent the country in an international pageant, and I hope to give my hundred per cent,” she says.
For 22-year-old Asha Bhat, a student of RV College Of Engineering, this was the first time she was taking part in a beauty pageant. “Winning this contest is the best thing that has ever happened to me,” she gushes.
On the challenges she had to face, Asha says, “I had to train hard as walking the ramp was very new to me. I also had to give up on eating a lot of good food. It involved a great change in personality. I have come a long way and it has been a refreshing experience.”
Asha also won the sub-contest titles of Yamaha Fascino Miss Fascinating, Palladium Miss Congeniality and Miss Beautiful Smile. She is Cadet Ambassador of India through NCC and has won scholarships in Bharatnatyam, Karnatak music and Madhubani art.