Manila, Jan 29 (IANS): Roshmitha Harimurthy, India's contender for the Miss Universe contest, has spent months preparing to compete with beauty queens from across the world. But the 'winning moment' is something she hasn't practiced for.
The Miss Universe contest, the preliminary competition rounds for which have been on here, will culminate in a finale on Monday.
In a video posted on channel Zee Cafe's offical Instagram page, Harimurthy says, "I haven't practiced my winning moment... Just hard work, cracking jokes here and there, having fun with my team... that's all."
"If I am titled, then tears of joy would be landing on my cheeks. It's pretty natural... You will see it, so tune in," she goes on, reflecting a jovial mood even as she may be a bundle of nerves ahead of the keenly awaited contest.
A Bengaluru girl, Roshmitha won the ticket to the Miss Universe contest when she was crowned Yamaha Fascino Miss Diva 2016. She was chosen by a judges panel which included former beauty queen and actress Lara Dutta, model turned actor Arjun Rampal, actor Abhay Deol, actress Aditi Rao Hydari and designer Gaurav Gupta.
According to Roshmitha's profile on the official Miss Universe website, she is a multilingual student at Mount Carmel College in Bengaluru, pursuing her Master's Degree in International Business. She has also worked as a volunteer teacher at Thanisandra Government Primary School in association with EEco Foundation for Sustainable Alternatives.
Reading, dancing, gardening, and swimming draw her interest when she has free time.
Lara, who was the last Indian to win the Miss Universe crown in 2000, has rooted for Roshmitha who will compete with over 80 contestants.
"This is a girl I believe in, now it's time for you to make her win. Tweet Miss Universe India to vote! India, it's time to stand united and vote," Lara tweeted on Friday.
This year, the gala is even more special for India as former Miss Universe and Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen will be on the judges panel for the upcoming global pageant, which will take place at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, in the Philippines capital.
Sushmita is "excited and emotional" about her stint because she had won the Miss Universe crown herself in Manila back in 1994.