I watched a few rounds of the Miss India contest last weekend and was given to understand that the 26 beautiful people who are short-listed to participate in the pageant are put through a month-long training programme. The training covers modelling, cinema, etiquette, make-up, abhinaya, diction, career guidance, art of living etc. Three cheers to the organisers for putting together this neat package for the contestants, but I think one fundamental rule needs to be changed. Contestants should be allowed to think for themselves and speak their mind. Originality is something shamefully lacking in the pageant.

Year after year finalists parrot unimaginative, unbelievable answers. Whatever be the question words like peace, harmony, love, care and share will be a part of the answer. This year's buzzword seems to be AIDS. Sample this: when asked "What would be the one thing that you would most like to do" -

"I'll spread the message of AIDS awareness especially among women as they are most vulnerable to the disease" - Neha, Femina Miss India - Universe 2002

"I'll make people realize the importance of peace and harmony and that by working hand in hand they can make this world a better place to live in" - Shruti, Femina Miss India - World 2002

"The title would help me to fulfill one of my earnest desires - To work for AIDS awareness" - Reshmi, Femina Miss India - Earth 2002

Can any of us come up with any Miss India, World or Universe who actually stuck to her 'live telecast' plan of dedicating her life to long-suffering causes?

I'm sure many of the contestants are reasonably intelligent but the pressure to conform to succeed must force them to give these ridiculous answers. Why can't a contestant actually say what she wants? What the contestant needs to be articulate and reasonably truthful. Answers like "I want to be an actor and entertain the masses, transporting them to a world of fantasy, relieving them from mundane worries for three hours" should be acknowledged. Or "I am in this contest as it offers me the opportunity to get a free trip around the world, lots of money and a broad platform to launch me into a career in the movies or modelling." What is wrong in honestly wanting to be in the movies, see the world or make money? It's what the rest of us want too.

I remember reading that Madhu Sapre lost out on being Miss Universe because her answer to the question, which was something like "What would you do if you were head of state," was "I would build a world-class sports complex and encourage people to participate in sports." An honest, useful answer from a contestant whose country could use some skilled sportspersons. The girl who won was all set to dedicate her life to world peace or some charitable cause.

It's almost as if the organisers are defensive about the superficial-ness of the contest itself and want to compensate by ensuring that the contestants appear to be dazzling Mother Teresas-in-making. Not too many people except Bal Thackery really care about the pageant which is just another exercise in commerce. Audiences watch it for its entertainment value and the opportunity
to comment freely on the viability of the various contestants. But there is a limit to enduring trite answers, which everyone, especially the contestant, knows to be farthest from the truth. There is no need to be apologetic. Let Miss India speak her mind!