Hyderabad:

When asked, “Who would you save, your father or your boyfriend, if they are trapped in a room that has caught fire and why?” pat came the reply from contestant number 9, Seema Mirza, “My father, because he is in the audience right now.”

With the crowd in splits at her witty remark, the 19-year-old claimed the title of Princess Secunderabad Club at the Secunderabad Club May Queen Ball 2014 on Saturday. Babita Yadav, was the winner of Queen Secunderabad Club.

Seema Mirza, a 19-year-old student, and Babita Yadav, 37-year-old educator, are poles apart, but found themselves on common ground onstage the annual beauty pageant in which 10 young ladies (Princesses) and nine older ladies (Queens) participated.

Seema, studying B.Com at St Mary’s College is joining Manipal University this August. Seema entered this pageant to fight her fear of public speaking and walking in heels! “I am a sports person,” says Seema, who also won the sub-title of Ms Beautiful Hair.

“I participated to prove to myself that I can be both sporty and elegant. Walking in heels and wearing elaborate dresses was a huge challenge. Our choreographer told us that our answers should be smart, funny and get reactions from people,” says Seema, the only contestant to get the audience to laugh.

Educator and mother of two, Babita Yadav, winner of the Queen’s category, also won the two sub-titles — Style Icon and Talented. “I wanted to achieve something inspiring. Hence, I chose this pageant,” says Babita.

“As you grow older, you tend to forget yourself and get caught up in the whirlwind of daily tasks. But I believe learning is a never-ending process and that’s what my win stands for.”

“I hope to participate in beauty pageants in Patiala too. My family was very supportive and my kids are proud of their beauty-pageant-winning mom,” says Babita who is moving to Patiala soon.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Fashion-Beauty / by Anisha Dhiman / May 19th, 2014