December 05, 1999

A Few hours after India produced yet another international beauty queen, I received a call from old India-hand Andrew Whitehead in London. The BBC was looking for local reactions. I'd just finished watching a telecast of the show, which had left me slightly breathless. All these gorgeous-looking girls, all that confidence. "How are you feeling today?" our very own Yukta Mookhey had been asked by one the presenters. "Perfect", the terrifyingly relaxed 20-year old had replied without missing a beat. Wow, I'd said to myself. What a perfect answer. Here was a terrifyingly young person from suburban Mumbai on what was perhaps her very first big outing (and airing).

And yet, her astonishing poise and confidence blew me away completely. Strangely enough, I was in Calcutta attending yet another millennium contest featuring becoming young ladies when the news about Miss India winning the miss World title filtered in. One of the contestants in the Calcutta show has startled the audience with an unexpected, unscripted confession. "Two years ago, I used to wear a burqa while jogging in Bangalore." Said the lovely Najma, clad in a clinging gown "and, now, here I am". Yes there she was, shimmering on stage, the cynosure of all eyes. After the show, I asked her how she'd done it - from burqas to bikinis (well, make the slinky gowns), in five easy strides. "I ran away from home," she answered simply. "Do your parents know about your participation in this contest? Najma giggled: 'Of course not." "What if you'd won the title and they'd see your face in the papers?" "I would have dealt with it somehow," she replied glibly.

Incredible. Dancing a victory dance with Yukta on stage in London, was not just ecstatic mother but, hold your breath, grandmother too. Seeing three generations of Indian women on such a platform at the end of an exciting century made me realise just how far we've come in terms of self-perception. Yukta's proud mother and grandmother were rejoicing in the young woman's victory over 90 contestants. Critics of such contests can carp all they want, but the fact remains, beauty contest winners go into the glamour game with a one point agenda - to win. What these 'wins' translate into later is what the winners choose to make of them. Contests represent a valid career option and should be seen as such, without moral judgements attached.

An earnest young TV reporter in Calcutta thrust a mike into my face to ask (with a frown of deep concern furrowing his brows) : "Don't you think it is immoral for young girls to participate in such shows when there is sati in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh?" Why, in that case, I quizzed the fellow, are you here and not at the sati site? Why does your channel want to cover this event at all?" There have been rather artificial attempts to clump disparate happenings and issues together, so as to generate a 'burning' debate on sensitive subjects that provoke emotional responses.

This is dishonest and fake. Today's women have strong minds of their own, as Yukta demonstrated through her well-considered answers under exceptionally daunting circumstances. People twice her age might have wilted under the pressure. This was no bimbette parading her God-given assets for a skin-show. Yukta was exercising choice. It was her option to participate in such an event. It was her choice to were what she wore with such panache. And it will be her choice again that will determine what she does a year down the line, when she hands over her glittering crown to the next Miss World. Meanwhile, she has the support of her family (unlike Najma) and she certainly has the admiration of her contemporaries.

The one year will change her life forever. Whether she uses this amazing opportunity to get into showbiz, or she continues with her interrupted studies. Yukta will have proved it's possible in today's India, to make it in any field of one's choosing. Amazing isn't it? Miss World today. And maybe Cyber Space Queen tomorrow. Like most people of her generation. Yukta knows what she wants. And more importantly, how to get it. Congratulations.

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