Mrs India’s big move

THE Mrs India South Africa crown has found a new home in Cape Town after Tygerberg hospital doctor Saumya Gautam, 31, beat 25 other contestants at a glitzy finale, bringing home the title for the first time in the pageant’s 11-year history. Gautam is now eagerly gearing up to raise money for various charities and to uplift girls through health education.

“It was a unique experience for me, I enjoyed it so much. It was very beautiful. I am happy I brought the crown to Cape Town,” she said.

For Gautam the title opens bigger doors for her humanitarian efforts, she said.

“Winning the title opens a lot of options for me to get more helping hands and link with big organisations to serve humanity on a bigger scale. As a Smile Foundation ambassador, I also want to do many fundraising events to help more children get free facial operations. My husband is a plastic surgeon and does many operations on behalf of the foundation,” she said.

As a doctor, health education is very important to Gautam, who currently

works with the Ukhozi Girls organisation in Milnerton.

“I became a doctor because I look up to my parents, who are also doctors in India, and since my childhood I’ve seen a person can survive without food and water, but not without health,” she said.

“If your health is compromised, your life is compromised; if your body is healthy so is your mind. My main target is to educate girls about health topics like nutritional lifestyle changes and hygiene,” Gautam said.

Gautam’s husband Siddharth entered her into the competition, and said he was very proud.

“I am very proud of her, very happy and excited that she won. She worked so hard for it, and she always wants to help humanity and give back. This was a good opportunity to get involved. It can open more doors to help more people,” he said.

Gautam won up to R500 000 in prizes, including a new Jetta Sedan 2018 from VW Barrons, a trip for two to India and Mangwanani spa vouchers, among others.

The pageant will be aired on Glow TV in three weeks, and will be available to watch on OpenView HD channel 140 and on StarSat channel 570.