Shruti fails to strike winning note at Miss World Contest!
09th Dec 2002
20.25 IST
By ApunKaChoice Bureau
It was a disappointing year for India at the Miss World Contest. Not only did Turkey's Azra Akin win the coveted 2002 Miss World crown at Saturday's contest, but India's Shruti Sharma could not even find a place in the ten finalists!
A resplendent Azra beat Miss Colombia Natalia Peralta and Miss Peru Marina Mora Montero, runner up one and runner up two respectively, to clinch the title at the controversy-dogged contest that was shifted to Britain from Nigeria after riots ravaged the African country.
Azra was crowned by last year's Miss World crown holder Agbani Darego, from Nigeria. She also received a reward of 100,000 pound (US$156,000).
Sadly for the Indians, Shruti failed to follow in the footsteps of predecessors Sushmita Sen, Yukta Mookhey and Priyanka Chopra.
At the pageant that had Ninety-two contestants from around the world, Shruti wore a wardrobe designed by the best of Indian designers, including Ritu Kumar, Shahab Durazi and Hemant Trivedi. But this graduate in Sociology could not impress the judges in the preliminary round.
The motto of this year's pageant, held at Alexandra Palace Convention Center in north London, was "beauty with a purpose". Among this year's contestants were lawyers, businesswomen, architects and a doctor.
It was a disappointing year for India at the Miss World Contest. Not only did Turkey's Azra Akin win the coveted 2002 Miss World crown at Saturday's contest, but India's Shruti Sharma could not even find a place in the ten finalists!