When the ramp showed them the way
I am here to tell all women to believe in themselves. They may not have eyes, but they all have wings to fly.
A beauty pageant declared its winners on Wednesday, with the finalists walking a ramp, taking questions and performing in a talent show round. What made it unique was that all 16 contestants were either fully or partially blind.
The Princess India Beauty Pageant for the Visually Impaired was held in Andheri, featuring contestants aged 18 to 30, shortlisted from a total of 85 entries from across 10 states.
Among the main challenges they faced, the women said, was learning to walk confidently without their canes and navigate the stage while performing in the talent round.
Simran Chawla, 21, a BSC (Hons) student from Delhi, was declared the winner. “I am here to tell women to believe in themselves. They may not have eyes, but they all have wings to fly,” she said, in her winning answer to the question of why she had participated.
Hyderabad girl Surbhi Mudgal and Punjab’s Inderpreet Kaur took the first and second runner-up titles respectively.
“I enjoyed the choreography sessions the most, and the group discussions on hairstyles, make-up and costumes with our stylists,” said Stacy Rodrigues, 27, from Goa.
The pageant was organised by Ahmedabad-based NGO Blind’s Dreams, with a jury comprising actor Bhagyashree, TV producer Asit Kumarr Modi and fashion designer Sanjay Lalwani. Also present, as chief guests, were actors John Abraham and Amyra Dastur and director Subhash Ghai. “We wanted to promote self-confidence and to tell people not to look at us with pity. We’ve lost our vision, not our compassion or feelings, so we’re as human as you are,” said NGO chairperson Dr Samir Mansuri, who is also visually challenged.
Speaking at the prize-giving ceremony, Abraham said, “You are all winners today. Thank you for teaching us something new.”
Ghai added: “You best define the saying, ‘Hum bhi kisi se kam nahin [We are no less than anyone else]’. This has been an emotional and an inspiring event.”
Pregnant women work at construction sites in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane work till seventh month of pregnancy, a study reveals.
The study, published in International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health 2017 issue, is the first survey conducted on pregnant women working and living at construction sites. The researchers interviewed 72 pregnant women living on construction sites to find out the maternal health challenges they face.
Denny John, public health activist who led the research, said the study tried to find out how the women could have a safe pregnancy while continuing to work. “We don’t aim to stop women from working, but without proper and adequate medication and check-ups, the pollution emitted in construction sites can be harmful for mother as well as the (unborn) child,” John said.
The study recommended a wider study across the country to involve stakeholders and create a national level policy.
At least 16 long-distance trains were rescheduled, seven cancelled and many suburban trains between Virar and Dahanu were affected, as three coaches of goods train derailed between Saphale and Vaitarna, one station away from Virar, on Tuesday.
It took railways more than 12 hours to restore the services as the derailment occurred around 6pm, while restoration continued till Wednesday morning.
The incident affected both suburban and long distance passengers, who complained of trains being stuck for more than four hours. The most affected were commuters from Virar, Vasai Palghar, Dahanu, Boisar and other areas.
“Our train was supposed to reach Mumbai in the morning but remained stuck near Dahanu We reached Mumbai 4 hours late,” said Rohit Dave, Surat resi dent, who regularly visits Mum bai on business trip.
On Tuesday, eight buffaloes strayed onto the railway tracks near Virar station and were run over by Jaipur-bandra Express This affected operations during afternoon. “The services will be as per schedule from Thursday,” said WR spokesperson.