Beauty contestant embarks into unknown territory

Hetal Pandya's beauty lies in her heart.
The Streetsville resident, is one of two Mississaugans participating in the Miss India-Canada beauty pageant taking place next Saturday in Toronto.  
Sarveen Kaur, a third year York University student, is the other contestant.
The annual show, now in its 18th year, offers opportunities to young women aspiring to find careers as actors and models.
But Pandya, 26, a consultant for a leading human consulting firm, says winning the contest will give her a chance to lend her name and voice to causes dear to her heart.
“I think for me this contest is a platform through which I can inspire others to achieve their goals,” Pandya said. “I realize the importance of reaching out to young south-asian women and giving them the resources or information they need to succeed in professional environment.”
Pandya admits by participating in the Miss India-Canada show, she's embarking into a unknown territory but with her eyes open. And unlike most she's in for the experience and not the fact that winning could mean a ticket to Bollywood.
“At the moment, Bollywood is not the route I want to take,” she said. “I am certainly open to opportunities in modelling and other art related areas. This contest identifies the fact that an individual has had a lot of diverse experiences and leadership skills; these are qualities that are just as important in the corporate world. ”
Pandya will head to the Ivey School of Business this fall to pursue a management program and remains focused on her career.
“The Canada-India Beauty Quest Inc., has continued to transform the Miss India-Canada event into a unique evening of glamour and style that allows an affluent South Asian community to come together to celebrate their cultural heritage,” said Sunil Agnihotri, a spokesperson for the contest.
The competition has three qualifying rounds — a talent competition, an Indian and evening dress and a question and answer segment.
Pandya, a proficient Indian classical dancer is well versed in kathak, bhangra and bollywood styles of dancing. She will perform a dance piece for her talent round.
The contest requires participants showcase their sense of style with elaborate Indian attire and accessories. The costumes can easily run into couple of hundred dollars — for many participants it is an expensive undertaking.
Pandya used her networking skills to the hilt to get designers to help her with her selections.
If she's is crowned the winner of Miss India-Canada next week, the Mississauga resident will receive cash scholarships, a round trip to India, personal computer, jewellery set and other prizes.
And not to forget, a unforgettable experience.
For more information, visit, www.missindiacanada.com.
rpanjwani@mississauga.net