M A I N   N E W S

Tarini is Shimla Queen 
By Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Oct 21 — All roads appeared to lead towards the picturesque Shilon Resorts on the Kufri-Chail road last night for reasons not far to seek. The 40 acres of “Switzerland”, which came alive in the heart of the majestic mountains yesterday, played host to the second Ms Shimla Queen Contest which saw the 16 contestants ably stand the test of nerves. The winner was finally the one who gave ample proof of grey matter.

The cynosure of all eyes was Tarini Mukherjee, an architecture student, who swept the show exuding confidence and charm. Awaiting a call from the Ms India organisers, Tarini has always been an outgoing girl who knows what to do when.

“I have made it to the Ms India series from the North. As far as this show is concerned, all I want to say is that it’s a dream come true”. She seemed excited about going to London for six days on a ticket sponsored by Virgin Atlantic.

The runners-up, Manjiri Sharma and Preeti Mehra, well deserved their first and the second runners-up titles. Manjiri Sharma was crowned Ms Vella Beautiful Hair, one of the sub-contests held in the precincts of the Resorts on October 19.

The show came wrapped up as an almost perfect package. The five rounds comprising western formal wear, corporate wear, evening gowns, denim collection and ethnic line were projected as these ought to be. The rest of the show was also interesting. Though the audience proved to be a bit rough on the two hosts, Fiza and Yogesh, who had a hard time getting an applause, the damage was undone by the filler items.

Bridging the gaps between various rounds were singer Shibani Kashyap, who is doing rounds of the music world with her latest number “Piya piya” picturised on Rani Mukherjee and Preity Zinta. Also, the soothing Aryans provided the much-needed relief with their two soft numbers — “Yeh hawa kehti hai kya” and “Aankhon mein tera hi chehra”.

The Delhi-based dance troupe, Zenith, worked wonders on the stage. A surprise performance of the evening came from New York- based film producer Budh Jasuja who is here in India to launch himself in the new avataar of a pop singer. He also happened to be one of the judges. Adorning the judges’ gallery were bigwigs like painter Jatin Das, glamorous classical singer Penaaz Masani, kathak exponent Uma Sharma, socialite-bureaucrat Ravindra Gupta and Lotus Bawa man Atmajit Singh Bawa. The actual grilling session began with the announcement of the 10 semi-finalists shortlisted to just five. Among the 10 semi-finalists were Shaifali, Tarini, Amanpreet, Shveta, Preeti, Manjiri, Shailja, Sakshi, Suneet and Anu. Among the finalists were Shaifali, Tarini, Manjiri, Anu and Preeti.

The finalists were questioned on various subjects by judges Iliyas Kazmi, Budh Jasuja, Atmajit Bawa, Jatin Das and D.B. Khurana. Manjiri was applauded by the crowd for her answers. Tarini won over the judges for her promptness in recalling a miracle that had happened to her.

Coming to the sub-contests, the Ms Photogenic and Ms Beautiful Skin title was bagged by Suneet Batra. The Ms Beautiful Feet went to Shefali Dang and Ms Catwalk was clinched by Sakshi Baghai.