Pics: Umesh Marapalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jul 8: Miss World Manushi Chillar visited Udupi on Saturday, July 7. The beauty queen said she was bowled by the beauty of the lush green coastal districts and was welcomed by the rains.
In a media interaction, she dismissed rumours of entering the film industry. “Right now for a year, I am committed to Miss World activities, as I am the title holder. For one year I do not have any plans of getting into the film industry. I have certain imaginations of my future and will try pursuing them,” she said.
Chillar, who advocates menstrual hygiene said that she has been working on menstrual hygiene projects, since the age of 18. “It grew exponentially and I got involved in it. I am moving to South Africa and Kenya this month to work on this project. On the international level, this is the first project. Apart from this, I am associated with 140 different projects, in different countries all over the world,” she said.
"Over 23% girls of our country have to dropout of schools, because of unhealthy menstrual hygiene practices. This project aims to not only promote health but also create awareness,” she said.
Answering to a query that India is not safe for women, she said, "None of the places are safe for anyone technically. But there are certain problems for women in India and they are different. I feel very proud for the way that I have been brought up in my family as I belong to typical Indian family. If not for my family, I would not have achieved what I have achieved today. We do face obstacles. There were women freedom fighters like Jhansi Rani Lakshmi Bai and they have set milestones for women to look up to.”
"There are people working to bring in development and uplift the poor. But it does take time. When I met the Vice President, he said there are three elements that can change the society and they are politicians, public icons and media. India is a highly populated country and it takes time to realize the plan,” she said.
Manushi Chillar was in Udupi to inaugurate the new showroom of Malabar Gold and Diamonds.
Chillar is the brand ambassador of Malabar Gold and Diamonds. "To Malabar group spends 5% of its profit for CSR activities, especially for the education of girl children and I also believe in the same theme,” she said.
She spoke on how jewellery holds a special place in everyone’s heart, especially when it is passed down from generations.
At the end, she said ‘Podu barpe’ (See you again) in Tulu much to the delight of the crowd who had accumulated to catch a glimpse of the dimpled beauty.
Malabar Group MD Asher O, Regional Head Iflu Rahman and other heads of various departments, were present.