Daijiworld News Network
Melita Pinto Crowned 'Miss Daijiworld' - Photo Album
Mangalore, Jan 6: In a keenly-held race in the photogenic beauty contest, organized by daijiworld.com and sponsored by Pune's leading fashion designer 'Boutique de Creations', Melita Pinto, nineteen-year-old second year B.E. Student at P A College of Engineering, Mangalore, has won the title of Miss Daijiworld, which carries a cash award of Rs 25,000.
Melita Pinto in two different profiles
The contest was announced in November 2005 and it was open to all girls of Mangalorean origin between 16 and 28 years. The response has been tremendous as over 400 entries were received from 14 countries.
The contest was neck-and-neck, and an eminent panel of jury with members experienced in the field of photography from Mangalore, Bangalore and Mumbai, headed by veteran photographer Yajna of Mangalore, scrutinized the entries. It was such a close finish that the points earned by top ten contestants had very slender margins.
Winner Melita Pinto is the daughter of Matilda and Joel Pinto of Balmata Medicals and residents of Bijai, Mangalore.
Krishma Hegde, Udupi
The first runner-up is Krishma Suresh Hegde, 19-year-old Mulki-born girl. Krishma is the daughter of Dr Suresh Hegde and Shakuntala Hegde. She is second year Engineering (Electronics) student at Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal, currently residing in Udupi
Shereen Jenifer, Kuwait
The place of second runner-up has gone to Shereen Jennifer Pereira, 23-year-old resident of Bijai, Mangalore, currently employed in Kuwait and residing in Salmiya, Kuwait. Shereen is the daughter of Alexander and Pauline Pereira.
Nisha Shetty, Mangalore
The Third Runner-up slot has been shared by 19-year-old Nisha Shetty, daughter of Karunakar Shetty and Meena K Shetty from Bijai, Mangalore. She is doing second year Chartered Accountancy in SIRC of Institute of Chatered Accountants of India (ICAI).
Alisha Menezes, Abu Dhabi
and 17-year-of Alisha Menezes of Abu Dhabi , daughter of Alwyn and Florence Menezes.
The Miss Daijiworld contest was organized to mark the 5th anniversary of daijiworld.com.
The winner will be crowned with the title during the glamorous function which will commence at 6.00 pm on Saturday, January 7 in the new Milagres Conference Hall (Basement), Falnir, Mangalore.
Editor's note:
When we toyed with the idea of organizing this event, we were not sure what kind of a response it would elicit. Mangalorean girls, after all, have hardly made any headway in beauty contests, mainly, perhaps because of social reasons.
But since our contest did not involve any stage appearance and catwalk but was only based on photogenic merit, there was an unprecedented response. Over 400 entries were received from 14 countries, which is indeed a credit to the Mangalorean presence worldwide.
Out of these, ten finalists were shortlisted through elimination rounds. It was quite a job for the jury, as the contest was very close. It was because of this that the result was delayed by a few days. Already we had been receiving several enquiries as to when the results would be declared. Honestly, we did not have the faintest idea until late Friday evening either. However, as soon as we received the tally of points, we couldn't wait any further. We were as much eager to share the news with our readers as well as the contestants through our website.
We are grateful to the sponsors, Boutique de Creations of Pune, for their trust in us as also for their generous gesture. We also thank the contestants and their parents for their support. No less grateful are we to the panel of jury led by Yajna for having spent their precious time on this honorary, but strenuous, assignment.
Well, folks, the suspense is over. Our congratulations to the winners. For the losers, our message is - it is not winning alone that gives one the satisfaction, but it is the spirit of participation that is more fulfilling. Keep up the spirit, the whole world is ahead - for you to conquer.
Melita Pinto Crowned 'Miss Daijiworld' - Photo Album