Jakarta Globe, Rabab Hannan, Jan 31, 2015
Jakarta. Grace Walia was named Miss India Indonesia 2015 early on Saturday in the pageant’s grand finale.
 |
| Grace Walia is crowned Miss India Indonesia 2015 by Miss India Indonesia 2014 Mansi Sharmi, left, as Indian Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste Gurjit Singh, right, looks on. (JG Photo/Rabab Hannan) |
Jakarta. Grace Walia was named Miss India Indonesia 2015 early on Saturday in the pageant’s grand finale.
Walia was
crowned by Mansi Sharma, who was Miss India Indonesia 2014, at the JW Marriott
Hotel Jakarta.
Indian
Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste Gujrit Singh opened the night,
encouraging the audience to value and respect all women.
“As we walk
towards to the century of women I think today is the time to celebrate
womanhood,” Singh told hundreds of attendants on Friday night.
The event,
which started at 8 p.m., featured showcases of traditional Indonesian and
Indian costumes including batik, tenun (a handwoven fabric) and sari (a long
Indian drape wrapped around the body), accompanied by speeches and various
classical and contemporary performances.
Country
manager of the competition, Shanti Tolani, related the importance of this
program for young women and girls as they explore new horizons through their
cultural identity.
“They are
strong and smart and have a big, big heart,” talent mentor Putri Minangsari
said.
Sharma
stressed this year’s pageant theme — valuing education.
“In 2014
the theme was simplicity and compassion. We were reminding people you don’t
have to do a lot to give back to people. This year the cause is educate the
girl child which is very close to my heart, too,” Sharma said.
Miss India
Indonesia is a collaboration of Sahabat India: an initiative by India and
Indonesia in unifying both nations through cultural, social, and political
engagements as the three-month-long Festival of India in Indonesia continues.
The
contestants voiced their dreams and ambitions for their futures, collectively
hoping to strengthen the relationship between both countries.
The
pageant’s panel judges included Neeru Singh, wife of the Indian ambassador,
Lingga Suwahjo of Star Harvest Academy, designer Poppy Dharsono and BeritaSatu Media Holdings
chief executive Sachin Gopalan.
Sahabat
India will continue its festivities of entertainment, cultural exhibitions and
programs throughout the next few months.
BeritaSatu
Media is affiliated with the Jakarta Globe.
Related Articles:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.