Pooja Chopra, in Durban this week as part a national road show ahead of the Miss World pageant next month, said her mother, Neera Chopra, made the tough decision to start a new life away from the man who could not accept a second daughter.
Boys in India are traditionally regarded as future bread-winners, while girls are considered a financial burden because their families must pay dowries to get them married.
"I don't know how a woman could have been so strong to take a 20-day-old baby and a seven-year-old and walk out of a home with nothing," said the 24-year-old beauty from Pune.
"The last I heard of my father was that he had married again and has two sons."
Pooja Chopra, a commerce graduate, lifted the title of Miss India World earlier this year. She believes it was her answer to a question posed by the judges that landed her crown.
"My question was: 'If you were to meet God, what question would you ask?' I said: 'God, I see you in my mother's eyes, and they say you cannot be everywhere, that's why you have given us all a mother. I am lucky enough that I have my mother, but there are so many people in this world who don't. Why?'"
Pooja Chopra downplays her modest 1.73m height, saying it was not as important as it seemed. "It just goes to show you that it is not important how tall you are, but how tall your personality is."
She believes that competitions like Miss World are necessary to create platforms for young women. "Here one person can become an icon from the good she does."
Miss South Africa Tatum Keshwar agrees.
"There is this concept of fame in a can. But this platform provides the opportunity to create a global ambassador who is a good, wholesome role model," she said.
The 1.81m-tall model is hoping to impress the judges in the pageant finals, saying she would love to do well. "It would be a victory for South Africa."
The finals will be held in the Gallagher Convention Centre on December 12.
Preparation Miss World Pageant 2009
Pooja Chopra, Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2009, is all set to leave for London on Friday in preparation for the Miss World pageant in South Africa.
“From London I will go to Abu Dhabi and from there, to the host country,” said Pooja Chopra, who is as excited as she is confident. “I am completely focussed on winning the crown, and for that, I have worked very hard with my trainers. And while I am nervous and anxious, I am also excited. I am aware that it is a huge responsibility. But I also know that this time will never come back in my life again. So I keep reminding myself to enjoy the experience,” says 23-year-old Pooja Chopra.
While India’s top trainers are confident she will bring back the crown, Pooja Chopra said, “I am leaving no stone unturned, I have even styled my own shoes, down to the colour, heel and look, and have selected my bags and accessories in such a manner that everything should be perfect and have an Indianness about it,”
Apart from that, she intends to promote India in every possible manner. “If anyone asks me whether India is a country of snake charmers or claims to know about India from Slumdog Millionaire, I will correct their facts and figures. I will stand by my nation and tell them that we have people like A R Rahman, Sachin Tendulkar, Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who all are global icons,” said Pooja Chopra proudly.
The preparations are done, but how confident is Pooja Chopra about winning the Miss World crown? “I believe in destiny. I have done my best, and I will put my best foot forward. Plus, I believe a lot in prayers and blessings. A lot of people are praying for me, even people who don’t know me directly, as they want the crown to come back to India. So, with 1.2 billion people putting pressure on God, I think it should work,” said Pooja Chopra. “Also, my mom, who is my lucky charm, is going along with me, so I’m confident of winning.” And if she wins? “Oh, believe me, I’m not going to let it go to my head. Day and night I have been dreaming about that crown, how it would feel when I touch it, the colours, the sparkle of the diamond, the sapphire, everything. So the moment I get it, I’m not going to leave it, I’m going to parade all over with that crown sitting pretty on my head,” replied Pooja Chopra.
The people who prepared Pooja Chopra Marc Robinson - Contestant and Fashion director; Prashant Talwalkar - Fitness and Diet expert from Talwalkars; Shiamak Davar - Guru of Modern Contemporary Dance in Indian Dance Lessons; Sabira Merchant - Diction expert; Vinita Alvares Fernandes - Etiquette consultant; Dr Abhijit Desai - Makeover expert from Evolve; Dr Rekha Sheth - Nivea Visage Skin Care expert; Dr Dilip Deshpande - Smile and Dentalcare expert; Dr Apoorva and Sonal Shah - Haircare experts from Richfeel Trichology Centre; Jitu Savlani - Fashion photographer; Ashley Rebello - Wardrobe Styling expert; Ojas Rajani - Makeup expert; Najeeb Ur Rehman - Chief Colour and Styling consultant from Schwarzkopf Professional; Anjana Kuthiala for Art Appreciation; Swati Vatsa - Styling for photoshoot; Ritu Kumar - Indian and fusion wear and traditional outfits; Said Ritu Kumar,
“Pooja Chopra is going for the Miss World pageant and this one doesn’t have a national costume round. So, it will be her day-to-day appearances that will be important. She has taken a lot of sarees with and western outfits from the Ritu Kumar Label collection. We have urged her not to carry brands that will be easily available to other contestants there, so that her wardrobe is unique. So, her wardrobe would be a good combo of Indian and western, with a strong Indian influence.” Swapnil Shinde - Casual and formal wear dresses; Shantanu and Nikhil - Finale evening gown and cocktail wear; Ashley Rebello - Western wear (casual and formal). Other designers who helped Pooja Chopra with her wardrobe include Archana Kochchar, Varsha Bhavnani,
Mandira Wirk, Malini Ramani, Narendra Kumar Ahmed, Ranna Gill, Priyanka Rajiv, Nachiket Barwe, Renu Tandon, Rakesh Agarwal, Asif Merchant and Preeti Chandra. Tresmode - footwear partner, Tresmode is the footwear partner for Pooja Chopra. Kapil Mahtani from this brand said, “High Fashion has a short ephemeral and magical life. Its for people who are adventurous, take risks and play with convention to constantly evolve. Such is reflected in Pooja Chopra’s collection. It’s about being feminine yet adventurous and experimental to take on the world.” Chef Hemant Oberoi - Special etiquette session at the Chef’s Studio, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai; Novotel, Juhu, Mumbai; Ritika Ramtari, Istayak Ansari, Umesh Mohite, Kenny Motwani, Kamesh Goel, Hariman Lama, Usha Kakade, Sunny Chopra, Kay Vijay Ahuja, David and Deepa, Abdul Khan, Khalid Shaikh and Amit Dholakia.
Pooja Chopra in Bridal Wear
Eijaz Khan, Pooja Chopra and Priyanka Shah
Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2009 Pooja Chopra, Priyanka Shah and Eijaz Khan walked around this Bandra store dressed in well-crafted bridal wear; meanwhile, a handfull of guests wowed at these creations, designed by ace coutuiers Asif Merchant and Sajeda Virji, and congratulated the duo on their latest line of formal and bridal wear.
Pooja Choopra tried out a rich lehenga, professing to be a huge fan of Asif and Sajeda’s ethnic Persian embroideries. Eijaz wore a brilliant blue sherwani and looked the smart groom. Ananya Dutt was heard reminiscing with Asif about her modelling days when Asif used to design for her. Jasveer Kaur, Aryan Vaid and Ravi Behl also dropped in to get a peek into bridal fashion just before the wedding season.
Jackky Bhagnani - Faltu
After romancing Miss India International Vaishali Desai in his debut movie Kal Kissne Dekha, Jackky Bhagnani will now be seen opposite Miss India-World Pooja Chopra. The model is making her debut with Vashu Bhagnani's Faltu.
After the debacle of Jackky's debut vehicle, papa Vashu is very careful about his next. A source reveals, "They auditioned for a couple of new faces but have zeroed down on Pooja Chopra. She was finalized in an audition that had at least a dozen Bollywood aspirants contending for the role. Having done a couple of commercials, Pooja Chopra had the perfect face; the production house was looking for."
The source continues, "It is gen x movie talking about the story of youngsters of today. They wanted a fresh face opposite Jackky and chose Pooja Chopra for the same."
Jackky however claims, "Talks are on with Pooja Chopra but nothing has been finalized as yet."
The movie has Sanjay Dutt playing the main protagonist of the dean of the college. One will also see Riteish Deshmukh in a cameo. The movie will go on floors in November.
After the debacle of Jackky's debut vehicle, papa Vashu is very careful about his next. A source reveals, "They auditioned for a couple of new faces but have zeroed down on Pooja Chopra. She was finalized in an audition that had at least a dozen Bollywood aspirants contending for the role. Having done a couple of commercials, Pooja Chopra had the perfect face; the production house was looking for."
The source continues, "It is gen x movie talking about the story of youngsters of today. They wanted a fresh face opposite Jackky and chose Pooja Chopra for the same."
Jackky however claims, "Talks are on with Pooja Chopra but nothing has been finalized as yet."
The movie has Sanjay Dutt playing the main protagonist of the dean of the college. One will also see Riteish Deshmukh in a cameo. The movie will go on floors in November.
Nanhi Kali Project
Pooja Chopra, has associated herself with Nanhi Kali, a Project jointly managed by the K.C. Mahindra Education Trust and the Naandi Foundation, to endorse the cause of the girl child. She will be raising funds for the sponsorship of the underprivileged girl child by making a mass appeal to Indians to support this critical social issue. Pooja handed over a cheque to Project Nanhi Kali for the sponsorship of two Nanhi Kalis whom she plans to educate on a long term basis.
On the occasion of International Girl Child’s Day, 113 Nanhi Kalis sponsored by the Oil and Natural Gas Commission were brought on an exposure cum pleasure trip to the Harish Mahindra Children’s Park at Bhulabhai Desai Road.
On this occasion Pooja Chopra stated, “This cause is very close to my heart as I have been exposed to the subtle nuances of being a girl child in my early childhood days. I hope to collect 10 lacs upwards and strengthen my association with Nanhi Kali before I leave for the International Miss World Pageant, 2009. I will also appeal to the general public to raise funds for these underprivileged children through my media appeal letter.”
Senior ONGC officials, Mr P. K. Pandey, Chief Manager, Human Resources and Mr Manish Kumar Soni, Asst. Executive Engineer were also present on the occasion. Mr Pandey spoke words of inspiration and encouragement to the Nanhi Kalis.
Nalini Das, Head, Marketing, ‘Nanhi Kali’ thanked Ms Pooja Chopra and ONGC for their support and hoped they would continue to be associated with the Project. She stated that education was essential for nurturing the Nanhi Kalis and was the basis of the formation of a good character which helped children in becoming good citizens.
The afternoon ended with fun and frolic as the 113 Nanhi Kalis were seen playing in the sand amidst the slides and swings with Pooja Chopra.
Last month, Pooja Chopra spent a day with the Nanhi Kalis at the Government Girls High School (Second Lancer), Golconda, in Hyderabad.
About Project Nanhi Kali:
Nanhi Kali is a national girl child sponsorship programme and a special project jointly managed by the K. C. Mahindra Education Trust (KCMET) and the Naandi Foundation. It aims to provide education to the underprivileged girl child in India. It is also the most ambitious programme in KCMET’s vision to transform India by providing primary education to the girl child. Over 51,000 girl children are provided free education under the aegis of Nanhi Kali currently.
Mumbai, September 23, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)