Shveta Sinha was crowned Miss India New England 2002 at the Miss Indian New England beauty pageant held at the Sorenson Theater in Babson College. Bijal Patel and Nehal Patel were the first and second runner ups. The show was a glitzy affair organized by the Arya Dance Academy (New York) and “Manoranjan Unlimited”, a local event management company. “The participants were all extremely talented and the judges had a real tough job trying to pick the winner” says Ravi S. Chaudhary of “Manoranjan Unlimited”. Bijal Patel won both the Miss Congeniality and Miss Popular titles. The winners of this peagent go on to participate in the Miss India USA Pageant.

Miss India USA Pageant is produced by the India Festival Committee, established in 1974 and based in New York City. The IFC began its first annual "India Festival" in Central Park, New York City, in 1974. An integral component of these festivals were the immensely popular "Fashion Show".

The contestants of the pageant are girls of Indian origin, between the ages of 17 to 25, never married and living in the USA. The pageant consists of four segments-Evening Gown, Indian Dress, Talent and Question/Answer. The winner of Miss India USA is the only delegate from USA at the Miss India Worldwide Pageant, which is also organized by the IFC. Miss India Worldwide is the only international Indian pageant. Many of the past winners have made a name in the Indian and American movies and television and in the modeling career. Past winners have also become lawyers, CPA's, engineers, business entrepreneurs, doctors and homemakers. The IFC also motivates and guides its winners and contestants to take up charitable causes. Many of the past winners have raised substantial amount of funds for various charities, especially for handicapped children.

With the success of the New England Pageant, Ravi S. Chaudhary of Manoranjan Unlimited is all set to launch the next venture of the Bollywood Talent Contest. For the first time in New England an organized search has been launched to identify and compliment the next wave of Bollywood artists. The Bollywood Talent Contest will be held here in Boston on September 29, 2002, where all the local artists are encouraged to participate and bring their talent to the next professional level. The contest has five main segments - Fashion Show, Short Play, Comedy Show, Dancing and Singing. There will be two groups of participants, Juniors (age from 7- 17) and Adults (age 18+). The contests are being held all over USA and Canada. Winners from each region will be selected to participate in the Final contest to held in New York in late October 2002. Dignitaries from Bollywood will be present to watch and interview the final candidates. Contact Ravi S. Chaudhary 617.786.1786 or via email @ rschaudhary@aol.com for further information.

|