HAPPENING --12:

POOJA SINGH CROWNED ‘MRS NILGIRIS 2018’

P S SUNDAR 

That beauty does not end on marriage or on becoming a mother was highlighted enormously at the “Mrs Nilgiris 2018” contest with ‘women empowerment’ as the theme organised by ‘The Nilgiris Epic Eventz’ (TNEE) at The Monarch Hotel in Ooty.

“This is the second edition of the event and the titleholder gets the chance to represent The Nilgiris at the ‘Mrs Asia Pacific’ contest”, TNEE Founder Vignesh Chandran told me.

In 2017, the event was titled “Mrs Queen of Hills”.

“We titled the event as ‘Mrs Nilgiris’ because it is being held in Ooty but the participants are from various parts of the country.  We used the occasion to generate funds to help Gaja cyclone victims”, he said.

TNEE is run by a group of three – Vignesh Chandran, Ashwini Ranjith and Vijay Kumar. 

Vijay, Ashwini and Vignesh

  

Pooja Singh Yohan (42) from Coonoor was crowned ‘Mrs Nilgiris 2018’ while Sheweta Mauriya (42) from Bangalore became First Runner-up and Keerthi Nataraja (46) from Bangalore, the Second Runner-up.

‘Mrs Nilgiris 2018’ Pooja Singh Yohan (centre) flanked by First Runner Up Sheweta Mauriya (left) and Second Runner Up Keerthi Nataraja (right).

“They had to pass through five testing rounds – self introduction, Indo-western ramp walk, talent testing, ethnic-wear ramp walk and question and answer session”, Vignesh Chandran said.

Former ‘Miss Nilgiris’ and ‘Miss South India’ Shabana Kausar from Ooty, ‘Mrs Asia Pacific’ and ‘Mrs Karnataka’ Monika Raj from Bangalore and efficient decision-maker Pavithra Yudhisther from Bangalore were the judges.

Shabana, Monika & Pavithra

Sushma Sugumaran was the choreographer;  

Mani Vasagam was the event photographer; Santhosh Naik was the Emcee. 

Mona Foley

“To spice up the event, we had an Egyptian classical dance by Mona Foley of Sanaz Dance Studio, Bangalore, Bharathanatyam and Baduga dance”, Vignesh Chandran said.

Prominent medical practitioner of Ooty Dr Sheila Nambiar was the Chief Guest.

“Helped by the fashion designed by Sofia Jasmine Farook and Nawreen, I won the ‘Best Costume wearer’ award in the Indo-western ramp walk.  I was also declared ‘Mrs Fashion Icon’ following my ethnic wear designed by Aloke D’Souza setting a trend”, Pooja said.

Ayisha Abbas

“My singing Alia Bhat’s ‘Samjhavan’, choreographed by Ayisha Abbas, got credits for me in the talent round”, she noted.   

“In the Question session, I explained how such contests lead to self discovery of inherent talent in married women or mothers thereby boosting their self confidence resulting in women empowerment”, she disclosed.

“All these helped me win ‘Mrs Nilgiris 2018’ title.  Armed with this recognition, I will henceforth be an ambassador to women empowerment augmenting their contribution to the betterment of the society with boldness and promoting the ecology of The Nilgiris”, said Pooja who hails from an army family with her father Col Mahendra Singh being a retired Army officer settled in Coonoor.   Her grandfather Sardar Gajendra Singh was the first Indian General Manager of the Government Cordite Factory, Aruvankadu.

Pooja holds French Honours degree from Punjab University.  She has also done Proficiency Course in French Language at the University of La Sorbonne, Paris, France.   Now, she is a French teacher in The Nilgiris.

Her husband Vinay Yohan is a Merchant Navy Officer presently working in Shanghai, China.   The couple have a nine-year-old son Sean Lawrence Yohan.

Pooja is an adventurous woman motorbike rider with the credit of having driven bike at Khardung la, the highest motor-able pass in Leh Ladakh.  “I would like to help women learn bike riding”, said Pooja who has three motorbikes.

An ardent animal lover, she now takes care of nine dogs including three rescued from the streets.   “I would like to be part of animal rescue programmes”, she said.

She holds an impressive video profile.  Her photographer is Tharani Rajkumar of Explorer Media Works, Coonoor.  

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)