‘I believe in my abilities’

Radha Brahmbhat, Pantaloons Femina Miss India-International 2008, calls herself a worldly-wise girl.
Flaunting her self-confessed title, she says, ���My great-grandparents were Gujaratis, my grandparents and parents lived in Africa and then moved to London. I moved from London to Mumbai after bagging the Miss India-Britain title. And now I am on my way to Macau for the Ms International pageant.I carry my pot-pourri cultural influences with me and will utilise them to my advantage at this prestigious pageant.���
She is also very talkative. ���And so I believe in making the first move in any conversation. Even at Macau, I wouldn���t get deterred by the other contestants and will be a part of the festivities there. Instead of being just by myself, I will socialise and get to know other girls. I feel confident when on top of things,��� she says.
Standing tall at 5 feet 9.5 inches, this 20-year-old sultry beauty queen has been training quite religiously in Mumbai for the Ms International pageant to be held on November 8. After polishing her social etiquette, diction and dining skills, she feels great about the compliments which come to her whenever she displays these nuances. Radha says, ���I���ve learnt to eat a seven-course meal with much ease now. But the interesting fact is that I am a strict vegetarian. And I have Gujarati tastebuds, so I do look forward to eating some pav bhajis and chaats even in Macau.���
Fitness is high on Radha���s priority list. Working out regularly, a thrice-a-week gym session is what keeps her fit. Opting for organic substances to keep her hair beautiful and her skin glowing, Radha trusts natural remedies. Of the garments and accessories she will be wearing at the pageant, she says, ���Red is my favourite colour and I am carrying some outfits in that hue, and others as well. It feels great when leading designers create outfits especially for me.��� Her evening gown for the finale has been designed by Mauritian designer Lida O���Reilly. The designer chose to flaunt Radha���s long, shapely legs by selecting a prune coloured evening gown.
Says Lida, ���Radha has a rich complexion and she can carry off any garment elegantly. Instead of the dress making her look beautiful, it���s she who brings the garment to life, such is Radha���s personality. The couture evening gown flows superbly on Radha���s fit bod and she looks gorgeous in it.���
All set for the pageant, Radha says that the last five-six months when she lived alone in Mumbai taught her how to manage work, money and life all by herself. Coming from a joint family in London, she says, ���I miss my folks terribly but am happy that at the pageant in Macau, my parents will be around.���
Radha���s expert panel constitutes Hemant Trevedi as Official Contestant Director; Deanne Pandey as Official Fitness Expert (Play ��� The Fitness Studio); Niti Desai as Official Dietician; Sabira Merchant as Official Diction Expert; Rukhsana Eisa as Official Grooming and Etiquette Expert; Bharat and Dorris as Official Makeup and Hairstyling Expert; Dr Jamuna Pai as Official Skincare Expert; Dr Sandesh Mayekar as Official Smile Care expert; Jayati Bose as Official Stylist; Ritu Kumar for National Costume, Indian wear and Indo-western casuals, Lida O���Reilly for finale evening gown; Ranna Gill for cocktail dresses; Deepika Gehani for business suits and All Nippon Airways as the Official airline partner.