Thursday, 13 March 2014 00:00
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5 regional finalists to be unveiled for the first time at BBH today
By Cheranka Mendis in Galle
Touring the ancient city of Galle, Femina Miss India 2014 contestants yesterday expressed delight over Sri Lanka’s scenic beauty and the hospitality of the people.
Of the 25 contestants, a majority of them are first time visitors and claimed to not have expected the neighbouring island nation to be as beautiful as it is and conveyed genuine surprise on the serene beaches, the greenery and the culture they experienced. “It is truly magical,” they said in an interview with Daily FT, “it is indeed a miracle and we are so glad we are getting an opportunity to know first-hand the beauty and the warmth of this country.”
The group of contestants arrived in Sri Lanka Tuesday morning and are currently engaged in a six-day pre-pageant tour as part of the official pageant agenda. In its 51st year, it is the first time the pageant has considered a location outside of India for a pre-pageant tour.
The contestants were yesterday divided in to two groups and one group, consisting of 11 Indian beauties toured Galle, while the others were taken around Bentota.
The former group visited the Galle Fort for a photo shoot, and trudged up the rampart in six-foot heels and created a stir among those visiting the fort. They even managed to charm the python-man who happily lent his python for the contestants to take photos with. They also visited the lighthouse in Galle.
Later, they were treated to an ‘angampora’ performance at Cinnamon Bey where they were staying, treating them to a slice of local culture by the pageants official international destination partners Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts.
All contestants will converge at Bentota Beach Hotel this morning for the unveiling of the 25 regional finalists of the Miss India crowning pageant for the first time for this year’s contest.
They will then be welcomed to indulge in water sport activities at the hotel where a complete photo shoot of the finalists will take place.Speaking to Daily FT while enjoying some delicious Cinnamon cuisine at Cinnamon Tranz after the Galle tour, the contestants noted that the experience so far has been nothing short of “amazing.”
“It is very refreshing and rejuvenating and Sri Lanka is awesome. We love the greenery and the beaches and it is a very nice change for all of us,” one of the contestants, Mansi Grewal said, “When we go back to the main city for training we will be all recharged and energetic. We are all having fun.”
Having travelled the length and breadth of India, it was the first time Sonal Rihani, another contestant is crossing boundaries and ‘exploring the world’. “It has been a fresh experience, Rihani acknowledged and one that she is thankful for. “I’m loving it. The country is beautiful and Galle is better than what my dad described it to be.” Also commenting on the hospitality side of their stay, Varsha Gopal noted that the team from Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts has been very obliging in catering to all their needs, keeping in mind their time schedules, their diets, etc. “They truly epitomise what the famous Sri Lankan hospitality is all about.”
For all contestants, taking part in the pageant has been a lifelong dream, one that they have grown up loving and wanting, seeing the likes of Aishwarya Rai flaunting the studded crown in beautiful dresses. “As cliché as this might sound, this is something we have all wanted for a long, long time. We promise to make it an interesting battle and are working hard in realising a dream we have nurtured since we were kids,” they said.
Pix by Daminda Harsha Perera
