Miss India 2009 Finalists launched a national campaign

JUST BEFORE the 2009 edition of Pantaloons Femina Miss India beauty pageant transcends into the final phase, the 20 gorgeous finalists launched a commendable and classic nationwide campaign to throw light on the myths surrounding cancer, called “Femina White Ribbon Initiative”.

The campaign is a combined CSR led initiative supported by three powerful bodies – Femina, Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) and Nargis Dutt Foundation (NGF). It will focus on the importance of early detection and prevention and curability of cancer if discovered well in advance. This initiative will comprise of a series of informatory articles on prevention, detection and management of cancer in the forthcoming issues of Femina magazine, several Mumbai-based events/ awareness campaigns to sensitise the Indian citizens about cancer, fundraising by NGF to support the treatment of underprivileged patients and research on cancer at Tata Memorial Hospital.

The day-long humane interaction saw the confluence of dignitaries such as Dr Mohan Das, Dean, Tata Memorial Centre, representatives from Nargis Dutt Foundation Namrata Kumar and Kumar Gaurav, Femina Editor Tanya Chaitanya and well known artist and former Miss India Anjana Kuthiala to announce their association with the campaign and extend their long term support by way of creating awareness on cancer and spreading the message of love and compassion towards all that are affected by it.

The emotive moment of the afternoon was a fashion show put together by the 20 Miss India 2009 contestants who walked the ramp hand in hand with the cancer-affected children. Post the fashion show, each child was crowned and sashed as a ‘Femina Little Princess’. The children in all the enthusiasm and excitement loved every moment of this show. For the Miss India contestants, this benevolent act was just the beginning of their social mission of lending a helping hand towards the needy and engaging themselves in crucial social issues affecting our society’s growth.

What followed the fashion show simply awed the audience – two dance performances; one by specially challenged, visually handicapped and cancer-stricken kids from Tata Memorial Hospital, who were specially trained by Shiamak Davar’s ‘Victory Art Foundation’ and the other by Shiamak Davar’s professional troupe. Renowned artist Anjana Kuthiala announced the online selling of her paintings, the proceeds of which would be donated to the Nargis Dutt Foundation. To bring a broadened smile to the faces of children further, Walt Disney India organised a movie screening for the 150 children which indeed made their day!

Tanya Chaitanya, Editor, Femina, highlighted, “The most beautiful verb in the world is 'to help'. And we at Femina magazine believe that every woman has the capacity to turn this verb into action. As a part of the Femina White Ribbon Initiative, the participants of the Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2009 pageant will spread cheer and smiles in the lives of little children afflicted by cancer. Join us in our quest for finding beauty within.”

This was a day will not only be remembered by the children and guests but also by the 20 Miss India contestants, who will file this moment in their beauty diaries.

Pantaloons is the title sponsor for Femina Miss India 2009.(merinews.com)