Standing tall at five feet eight inches, Odia lass Ipsita Pati, 21, recently won the People’s Choice, Miss Ravishing and Lavase Femina Vivacious titles at the Femina Miss India-2012 contest. Based in Visakhapatnam along with her parents, Ipsita belongs to Buguda in Ganjam district. In an interview with Diana Sahu, Ipsita says, apart from the rigorous classes in grooming, fitness and diction for the event, her honesty and never-say-die attitude helped her in winning the titles. Excerpts from the interview:
What do you think were the factors that helped you bag three titles?
I always believed in myself. I feel my honesty played a major role in fetching me three titles because I always speak my mind and what I believe in. If you are honest and a hard worker, things will definitely fall in place, sooner or later. You just have to believe in yourself. I had put my heart and soul into the pageant.
How do you feel being voted as the People’s Choice?
Overwhelmed. It is a great feeling to be known and popular enough to be chosen by people.
But do you feel bad about not making it to the top?
Personally, I feel hugely disappointed. I am not satisfied with the judgement as the judges were from different fields of sports, tele-communication, business, etc. I sometimes feel in these pageants, public voting, height, fitness and brain do not really matter.
The last 12 years is a proof of such judgements as none of the winners has got anything back to India since 2001. Prior to Femina-2012, I was already a winner of Indian Princess and Miss Intercontinental India and represented India in Miss Intercontinental in Spain.
How did you get through the contest?
I was directly called for the contest for my experience in international pageants.
What initiated you to begin modelling?
I was always interested in modelling. My inspiration was my mother Pooja Pati who was an actress and a finalist in Gladrags Mrs India 2006.I had won several medals and awards for dance shows during my school days including the Andhra Ratna and Ugadi Puraskar. In college, I won Sunsilk Miss South India in 2008 and was a finalist in Miss India Universe 2010. The following year, I won the Indian Princess-2011, represented India in Miss Intercontinental-2011 in Spain and also Miss International Golden Skin 2011 in Mexico.
Here, I was crowned Miss Elegance and Miss Internet for global popularity votes. I consider myself lucky as my parents were always supportive of my career decision.
What next after this? Any plans of switching to Bollywood?
I will soon reveal and yes, I do have big Bollywood plans. Not as an actor though, but as a director.
What do you miss most about Odisha?
It’s incredible hospitality, food and culture. Even as I have been born and brought up in Visakhapatnam, my parents hail from Odisha. I visit Ganjam and Bhubaneswar twice every year to visit my relatives. It is a great feeling to be a part of two states and represent their culture.