On her way to the Miss World contest
By Vimla Patil

IN October 1999, Yukta Mookhey, India’s representative to the Miss World 1999 contest, will be 21 years old. How will she celebrate this important milestone in her young life? "I will probably eat all the prohibited goodies for this occasion", she laughs. At present, I am on such a strict diet that to eat anything else would truly be a birthday treat. Right now, I eat only fruit and vegetables for all my meals with may be a roti now and then.

Most people are surprised with this routine and ask me how I can live on this ‘starvation’ diet and miss out on all the wonderful food. My answer is that the food I eat under the guidance of expert dieticians is more than sufficient to give all the nourishment a human body needs. What we eat normally is for the taste and flavour of food and for sheer gastronomic pleasure and indulgence. Fruits and vegetables otherwise give every food value which is needed for our health."

Yukta deals with all events in her life with the precision of an experienced veteran. Earlier this year, till the Indian contest declared her to be the Miss India for Miss World 1999 candidate, she relentlessly followed a workout and a strict regimen. Her mother, Aruna Mookhey, who runs a personality development course, groomed her, in addition to celebrity trainer Ramma Bans who helped her lose 7 kg to shape her body to perfection. Once the title was in her hand and she had enjoyed all the ensuing celebrations, dressed in the special designer clothes created for her by her official designer Seema Roye, she directed her attention to the final B.Sc. examination. "I studied in a totally focused manner, never going to parties or pubs and wrote every paper with confidence. I feel education is one of the most important assets for every young woman. Whether I become a model or actress or take any other career, I will be a more confident woman if I have a good educational background. My parents have impressed this on me and I am happy that I have now completed the task before me with dedication."

Now that the examination is over — it was spread over several weeks — Yukta’s eyes are trained on the international contest which she will soon attend. Mumbai-born (1978) Yukta, who was brought up for some years in Dubai, is knowledgeable and carefree. She knows Mumbai well. "I have four months to go before the final contest," she says. "We do not know yet where the contest will take place. Last year, it was held in the Seychelles Islands. We also do not know as yet what kind of side contests and events will accompany the main contest. But I’m doing all I can to win. My day begins at 9 a. m. with a workout. I meet Sabira Merchant twice every week for speech training. Dr Rakesh Sinha lays stress on motivation thrice a week. Dr Sandesh Mayekar will correct my teeth structure soon and Dr Jamuna Pai will put my skin in the best condition. My measurements have been given to designers. Ritu Kumar and Hemant Trivedi will design my competition clothes. My Miss India contest designer, Seema Roye, will do my casual wardrobe. I go four times a week to Mickey Mehta’s workout class and at weekends, I am with Ramma Bans. I am now focusing on the international contest. I shall think of further career moves only after I return from the contest."

With so much behind-the- scenes work going into her training, how does Yukta evaluate the Miss World contest? What opinion does she hold of this much hyped event? "It is a unique contest which tests the femininity and the intelligence of a woman. There will be a total of 89 contestants from as many countries all over the world in this contest. I will be tested for my communication skills again and again. I will have to tell the world about India and Indian women. I will be tested each day for over a month for my confidence and presence of mind. I will need excellent communication skills to reach higher goals not only in the contest but at every turn of my life in the future. I am determined to be a winner in the contest and in my life. I have to develop my personality accordingly. The forthcoming international contest is a real challenge and I look forward to facing it with confidence. I also like the slogan "beauty with a purpose" which is the credo of the Miss World organisation. The organisation works for children the world over. I too like children and will be happy to do whatever I can to help children who are deprived or distressed. I will be honoured to join the organisation’s efforts to save children from the evils of poverty and illiteracy.

"I am getting ready to win. My mom and dad may join me at the contest. At the moment, I am working very hard to make sure that I qualify for the crown. I have not taken on much work with this goal in view. I have only done some catwalk shows and the Videocon campaign. All else will come later. Now the only agenda I have is the Miss World title!"