Chaalo Gujarat gave Miss Gujarat USA platform to young Gujarati girls

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New Jersey: Edison, NJ: Chaalo Gujarat, World Gujarati Conference 2012 was organized by the Association of Indian Americans in North America (AIANA) in New Jersey, USA during Friday 31, August to Sunday 2, September, 2012 at the Raritan Expo Center. September 1, 2012 First time in North America, Chaalo Gujarat hosted a pageant for young Gujarati ladies across the country, titled Miss Gujarat USA 2012.

Eight highly intelligent, beautiful and talented young women, representing thousands of Gujarati girls in the US, who strive to keep their culture and values alive, despite living so far away from Gujarat. Never before has any pageant had the kind of platform or audience that Chaalo Gujarat will provide for Miss Gujarat USA contestants. In an effort to involve the Gujarati youth in the event, Miss Gujarat USA serves to demonstrate the pride Gujaratis have in the next generation.

Shradha Amin from New Jersey was chosen as Miss Gujarat USA 2012 during the World Gujarati Conference 2012, Chaalo Gujarat on September 1, 2012. Other title holders were first Runner up Meera Thakrar and second Runner up Ekta Khetia.

Miss Gujarat USA 2012 pageant was an undeniable success at this year’s Chaalo Gujarat. Featuring eight young Gujarati girls from all across America, this pageant served as a means to incorporate the next generation’s beauty, talent and intelligence into the World Gujarati Conference. While adding a touch of glamour and youthfulness to Chaalo Gujarat, this beauty pageant managed to capture the audience in several unique and unexpected ways.

Starting out online, contestants were encouraged to apply through the Chaalo Gujarat website, after which eight qualified finalists were selected and invited to perform live at the pageant on Day 2 of Chaalo Gujarat. Among the contestants were Shailee Shah from NJ, Hetika Shah from NJ, Zeel Patel from DE, Tarini Shah from CA, Shradha Amin from NJ local, Meera Thakrar from MA, Ekta Khetia from NJ and Binal Patel, from NJ as well. Once the finalists were selected, their profiles were put on the Miss Gujarat USA webpage, where viewers could browse through contestant pictures and information, which included why each young lady was proud to be a Gujarati, after which the general public could vote for their favorite contestant. Hosted by famous RJ Dhvanit of Ahmedabad’s Radio Mirchi, Miss Gujarat USA 2012 consisted of four rounds which included Western Formal Wear, Talent, Indian Formal Wear and Judges’ Questions.

Judges for the pageant were Kaajal Oza Vaidya, prominent and beloved Gujarati writer, Abhishek Jain, Director of blockbuster Gujarati film Kevi Rite Jaish, Indian cricket star Parthiv Patel, celebrity stylist and fashion consultant, Sushmita Patel, and Miss India International 2012 East Coast, Juhi Vyas.

The first round, Evening Formal Wear, gave the audience and judges a first look at the beautiful finalists, wearing evening gowns courtesy of Siyaahi, a brand by Poonam Sanghani. One by one, each girl walked across the stage accompanied by a stunning visual array provided through the digital backdrop on 7 different LED screens, created by The Moving Pixels Company. Directly after, video profiles of each of the contestants were played onstage, giving the judges and general public a dimension besides grace and beauty to view the contestants with. The profiles ended, and the video cued to each contestant individually introducing their talent and explaining why they chose to perform each particular piece, providing a transition into the second round. Several dances, peppered with a flute performance, a skit and a poem recital kept the audience engaged and excited. The round that got the most enthusiastic applause was the Indian Formal Wear round as each girl, adorned in a traditional chaniya choli, courtesy of Gujarati designer Hetal Shah. Accompanied by the track Bhiraj Me Dumm by Parthiv Goheil, the young women glided down the ramp showcasing the beauty, elegance and grace Gujarati women are renowned for.

Following the second runway, the young women lined up for the judges’ questions. Among much banter and teasing with the judges and the host, some serious questions were asked, seeking the girls’ take on issues like the role of women in society and their views on the future of Gujarat. Many of the contestants kept the Gujarati value of family in their answers. When asked what was the most important aspect of the Gujarati language, winner Shradha Amin replied that reading and writing Gujarati keeps the language alive, and that she really admires the fact that her mother, a Gujarati writer, is able to touch the hearts of thousands of people through the words she writes. First Runner up Meera Thakrar gave a non-traditional, but touching response when asked who inspires her the most. She said her brother, her oldest sibling, who paved the way for her as a younger child inspires her and she hopes to follow in his footsteps to medical school.

Once the judges’ scores were tallied, Miss Gujarat USA 2012 Grand Sponsor Nilesh Soni of Premji Valji Jewelers gave away multitude of prizes on behalf of the famed Jewelers. Other dignitaries presenting awards were His Majesty Yuvraj Madhantasinh Jadeja and his wife along with Bollywood Actor Sharman Joshi.

• Receiving one gram gold coins were Best Hair– Shradha Amin,
• Beautiful Smile – Meera Thakrar,
• Most Photogenic – Shailee Shah,
• Miss Gujarati Pride – Tarini Shah
• Fan Favorite – Zeel Patel.
• Second Runner up – Ekta Khetia, won a $500 voucher from Premji Valji Jewelers.
• First Runner Up, Meera Thakrar, won $1500 voucher and crown from Premji Valji Jewelers.
• Winner, Shradha Amin won a voucher for $3500, along with a crown from Premji Valji. Shradha was also called onstage by Air India officials on Day three of Chaalo Gujarat, to present a free ticket to India to an audience member, after which she herself was presented a free ticket for winning Miss Gujarat USA 2012.

The pageant was a wonderful addition to the event, made even better by a stunning visual display and an amazing audience who encouraged and supported the new generation of Gujarati woman on this grand platform.

Special thanks to Dr. Tushar Patel for press release to Asian Media USA

Photographs and Press release by: Asian Media USA

Suresh Bodiwala
Chairman
Asian Media USA
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sbodiwala@sbcglobal.net

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