BHARATI PAWASKAR
The eldest of three siblings, Nakita Tania Fernandes, at 19, has become a role model for the younger brothers Benson and Jacob who watched her being crowned in the recently held Miss World Beauty Queen International pageant at Seoul in South Korea. “With tears of joy flowing freely on their cheeks, the two of them (Benson and Jacob) were glued to the television screen and clapped their hands as they watched their elder sister Nakita win the ‘second runner up’ position. As parents, my wife Denise and I are very happy that our daughter has the passion to take up challenges and prove herself,” shares Louis Fernandes, the proud father of Nakita who made her state and her nation proud with her win.
Parent’s continual support allowed Nakita to enter the field of modelling and display her talent to the world with so much confidence. Mother Denise remembers little Nakita walking on the table and wanting to here her say, ‘And the winner is Nakita Tania Fernandes’. ‘‘As a child, she always had that confidence in her. She wanted to be different. Today, she has proved it. All we do is to support her and be with her always,’’ says Denise while expressing joy over Nakita’s recent win.
A BBA student from Saraswat Vidyalaya’s Sridora Caculo College of Commerce and Management Studies (SCCCMS), Mapusa Nikita states that her teachers and fellow-students always supported her in her endeavours. After winning the title on August 28 when Nakita returned to India and attended her college, she received a surprise welcome, with cake and flowers. She recalls, ‘‘I left for South Korea on August 14 and missed my college almost for a fortnight. However, my teachers were supportive. They assured me that I can answer my exams when I return and that I only have to concentrate on the contest.’’
Expressing gratitude towards her family, Nakita states that her parents have always been the wind beneath her wings and it is because of their firm support that she could aspire and achieve her milestones. Walking a ramp is not as easy as it looks. A lot of hard work has to go into it. You have to carry yourself well, be alert, attentive and prompt in responding to the questions, as well. As she was the first to reach there among all the contestants, which was a day earlier, she had to manage a day on her own in that unknown country. ‘‘I stayed at the airport, did not know the local language and was hungry. Therefore, I had to express through my actions after which I was offered a plate of prawns and no bread,” smiles Nakita who had to adjust with the food for the next few days.
The beauty contest was different from the rest and the contestants had to manage everything on their own “ from hairstyling to makeup, costumes and selecting matching jewellery. ‘‘The organisers did not provide any hairdresser or maker-up artist. We had to style our own hair and do the make-up. Thankfully, all the girls were friendly though we did not know each other’s languages. The others were in their late twenties, more experienced and already winners at different pageants. I was the only one who was 19. My roommate shared some make-up tips with me,’’ recalls Nakita who was a little nervous because of her height. As she is 5.6 ’’ she had to wear 6.5 ’’ heels to gain height. However, she was confident with her language skills. Her English was good and she had no difficulty in communication or answering the questions. She tried to answer every question. That added points.
Nakita strictly followed all the rules including being punctual. ‘‘When they asked us to be present at the venue at 8 am, I was already there at 7.45. I wanted to be sure that nothing goes wrong. I managed to do without make-up artist or dress designer to help me. I had carried three bags and extra 50 kg luggage. We had to get ready in minutes. I did not want to return empty handed. I wanted to bring back something to my state Goa and to my country India,’’ maintained Nakita.
Nakita shares that everybody there loved to hear tales and stories about India. There were contestants from 29 countries. ‘They loved India. We had friendly chats. Those who knew English and one more language became the translators. I made five best friends from five countries “ Greece, Denmark, South Africa, Bulgaria and Indonesia,’’ says Nakita who feels that modelling is a rewarding field and it’s not only about looking pretty or wearing beautiful outfits.
‘‘It’s much more than that. It’s being a part of a new and bigger dream. It introduces you to advertising, products, brands, photo shoots and other models. It is an art. One realises the importance of time. More than looking beautiful, it makes you comfortable in your own skin and accept who you are. As a model, the world listens to you. With the right attitude and willpower, you can conquer the world. One must also be ready to take criticism, which is a part of the game. If you stay undeterred even in times of failure, success will be yours. Know your roots well, and everything will fall in place,’’ concludes Nakita.
