MISS INDIA STAR PAGEANT 2012
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers!
What is India Waves & Swagat Foundation scholarship Star Pageant? Scholarship Star Pageant is to recognize and assist in the development of young students of Indian heritage between the ages of 14 years old & 22 years old.
What are the categories & titles of scholarship Star Pageant? Miss India Star title along with first & second runner up.
Will there be any additional prizes? Yes. There will be additional surpirse titles selected at the event as well.
What are scholarship pageant major reward & prizes for Miss India Star Pageant? * Up to $10,000 accumulated prizes will be given away for top winners in Miss India Star Pageant to help towards their education.
* Scholarship pageant is an India Waves Network Television Broadcast event! Top 3 recognized on stage & on India Waves TV Network Broadcast.
* The # 1 winners in Miss India Star Pageant is guaranteed to host select segments on India Waves TV Network during first year of title.
* Best person that you can be!
* There will be contract agreement made with selected contestants.
What if I am not a winner? * All Miss India Star Pageant contestants have opportunity to audition for India Waves TV Network internship & volunteer positions!
* There will be contract agreement made with selected contestants.
What are Scholarship Pageant mission & goals? As we guide you through the steps of competition, you gain poise, self-confidence and valuable communications skills. Every facet of our pageant is designed to help you develop skills that are found in our country’s most successful people; skills that are an asset in any field you pursue, from Entertainment to business Industry.
If you are too unsure or shy to get on stage, we get you started with baby steps forward! By pageant time you will be enjoying new found friends, new found confidence, and being in the spotlight!
Of course, we want to have a part in making happy memories for the contestants . . . but more importantly . . . we want every contestant to go home with a new sense of self-worth . . . a self-confidence which they have never had before . . . poise which can only be developed by actual practice and stage experience.
In other words, we want you to gain confidence, set and achieve goals, and learn to be the BEST PERSON YOU CAN BE. These are the most important prizes contestants can take home with them.
How can everyone be a winner? Besides prizes, awards, and titles . . . the lessons learnt, friendships found, and the experience gained are truly the major awards offered! They will be a part of your life forever! This is truly one contest where everyone who participates is a winner!
Scholarship Pageant is not like other typical “walk across the stage” beauty pageants where only appearance matters. Contestants’ appearance is important, but no more so than their unique personality, ability to get along with others, and their achievements.
Family Friendly Scholarship Pageant! Parents, it is so important for contestants to have the support of your family at this exciting time in their life. Your family’s love and guidance have helped them become the person they are today. We are looking forward to meeting you and contestants.
When & Where will for Miss India Star Pageant? First deadline for Preliminaries: March 3rd
What is thedeadlinefor entries? Now accepting Entries. Entry form posted online.
Inquiries: email to star@indiawaves.com
Who can participate in India Waves & Swagat Foundation Miss India Star Pageant? The Pageant is open to any student of Indian Heritage in USA between the ages of 14 yrs to 22 yrs before the final event date.
Natural born female for Miss India Star Pageant.
Contestants must never be married or divorced.
How would you define Indian Heritage? Students with Indian Heritage i.e. roots to India. A contestant can be from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Fiji, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UK, Europe etc. Contestant may have one or both parents or grandparents or great grand parents etc with roots to India as explained above.
Do you need experience to be eligible to participate in Miss India Star Pageant? No experience needed. We expect most of the contestants who have no previous pageant experience. Our program is structured so that everyone receives all the necessary training prior to pageant weekend. All official communication with contestant will be through group email database distribution.
What If I have experience, can I still participate in Miss India Star Pageant? Yes, you are welcome & will be eligible to participate.
Will there be rehearsals & training provided? Yes, TBD. Everyone participating will receive the training necessary to successfully present themselves to the judges. We help you develop the skills, poise and confidence you need to be successful.
What kind of outfits required in Miss India Star Pageant? Miss India Star Pageant 2012 rounds include:
* Western party outfit (Gowns / Prom dress)
* Traditional
Female: Saree / Salwar Kameez / Lahenga Choli, Ghagra... etc.
* Appropriate outfit for your Talent performance
(Talent showcase up to 3 minutes or less)
Do contestants bring their own outfits? Yes, the contestants must bring their own outfits. Pageant management will not provide any outfits for contestants.
Can I find sponsor for myself & my outfits? Yes, you are welcome to find business Sponsors for your Outfits.
Will the Management assist in finding Sponsor for a contestant entry processing fee & pageant outfits? We can guide you but, the contestant needs to take initiative & welcome to get help from family, friend & supporters.
What is the Judging Criteria for Scoring? a. Poise & Appearance
b. Model Walk & Outfits (Eastern Traditional & Western rounds)
c. Talent up to 3 minutes or less (Dancing, Singing, Solo Skit or Acting demo etc.)
d. Personality & IQ during interview (for Top 5 contestants in Miss India Star Pageant only)
How many winners in Miss India Star Pageant? A panel of judges will select the pageant winners for Top 3 in Miss India Star Pageant.
Final scoring takes place on event day except Miss Congeniality & other surprise winners! Individual scores are totaled and the contestant with the highest score among to 5 is judged as the winner.
Are all contestants eligible for the Pageant? Yes, all contestants are eligible with the non-refundable processing fee with your application.
Are there any elimination rounds? Yes, there will elimination rounds however all contestants will appear on stage on the Pageant day.
How many contestants are selected to continue in pageant competition on event day? Miss India Star Pageant will have up to 10-15 finalists.
How will I know if I am selected to continue in Pageant Competition? Pageant management will notifiy you before rehearsals TBD.
Do I need to submit my photographs? Yes, you need to submit your two recent color photographs
* one headshot photograph
*
one full length shotphotograph
How do I enroll online & pay by credit card?
* You must complete the entry form with non-refundable processing fee
* Pay by credit card online or mail check payable to India Waves. (address on entry form)
* Attach your two recent color photographs (one headshot & one full length shot) & email to star@indiawaves.com
Can I enroll via mail & pay by check or money order? Yes, you can enroll via mail by completing your application including non refundable processing fee in form of check/money order & your two recent color photographs (one headshot & one full length shot).
Mailing address (No Walk-ins):
LUVMM Productions
31121 Mission Blvd. #134
Hayward, CA 94544
Do I need to pay extra for Admission tickets to Pageant Event? No. Your non-refundable processing fee guarantees you admission & designated area for contestants.
What If I want to bring my Family, Friends or guests? How much do they pay? General Admission tickets $100 each or VIP tickets can be purchased online.
Ticket purchase form is available online OR by calling our office @ (510) 487-4988
Will dinner be served at banquet pageant? Yes, dinner will be served at the Banquet Pageant with Open Bar, DJ & Dancing
What other Mandatory requirements for Pageant? You must attend rehearsals & training required by the organizers including but not limited to interviews, grooming, training sessions, rehearsals, event(s) related to publicity & promotional activity under India Waves Media Day.
Who is disqualified from the Pageant? Anyone in violation of Pageant rules, Intimidation or abusing Pageant Management staff or fellow contestant.
Never conducts herself or himself in a manner which, in the opinion of India Waves, Swagat Foundation, brings or tends to bring her, his, other applicants or the organizer(s) into disrepute, ridicule or contempt.
How will be get updates? All enrolled contestants will receive updates on rules & logistics via group email. We also suggest contestants to keep checking for updates posted on this page.
Rules The Pageant Management reserves right to amend, change rules deemed proper to enforce professional pageant management. All application forms, photographs and any other documents submitted are not returnable. Applicants consent to enter into agreements, if required, with the organizer(s) and subject themselves to any additional rules & regulations the organizer(s) may enforce.
What is Orientation? The major purpose for Orientation is to bring face to face all contestants & Management for a friendly healthy competition. All qulified contestants will be invited for open Q & A for better understanding of Pageant logistics & regulations.
What if I have more questions? Feel free to email star@indiawaves.com for prompt response.
Become a Sponsor or Presenter! Application, Questions, Information: email star@indiawaves.com
(l to r) Lalli Venkatakrishnan, Sarina Vij, Sanaa Mohammed
MISS INDIA STAR SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT WINNERS
January 28, 2011
Sarina Vij, a 16 years old honor student, from Harker High School in Silicon Valley won the title Miss India Star 2011 organized by India Waves TV Network & Swagat Foundation at Airport Garden Hotel in San Jose on Friday, January 28, 2011.
The First Runner-Up was Lalli Venkatakrishnan of UC Berkeley & Second Runner-Up Sanaa Mohammed a graduate of UC San Diego. Special Recognition was awarded to Jessie Takhar (Miss Personality) of Merced College & Rachel Bharwani (Miss Photogenic) of Mission San Jose High School.
$10,000 in Scholarship prizes was shared between all winners. Title holder Sarina Vij was awarded $5000 in scholarship money.
Rachel Bharwani, Miss Photogenic
(Special Recognition)
Jessie Takhar, Miss Personality
(Special Recognition)
Star Pageant Organizers Lakshmi Baweja (Founder India Waves TV Network & Radio) and Jayaram Komati (Founder Swagat Foundation & President of Telugu Association of North America) underlined the mission of Scholarship Pageant.
Ms. Baweja offered internship opportunity for title holder Sarina Vij on India Waves TV Network besides two other contestants.“Our vision is to award annual scholarship cash money to students that will cover their one year tuition fees & expenses in future,” commented Komati in his speech.
“India Waves Youth Wing goals include balancing Indian & American cultures, Family values & Youth leadership development,” according to Lakshmi Baweja, who also produces first India Waves Youth TV originating in bay area & broadcast in all 50 States across USA.
Jayaram Komati
Founder, Swagat Foundation
The Event was directed by Lakshmi Baweja & the emcees were Stanford University Graduate & India Waves Youth Wing Co-chair Vanessa Patel and Financial Consultant & Former Miss India California Ruhee Walia.
India Waves Youth Wing Co-chair Kausar & Co-President Hibah Mohammed opened the show complimenting “scholarship” theme over “beauty” pageant.
Entries were open to students with Indian Heritage from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Fiji, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan including Indo- Americans born in USA & abroad. The ten finalists for the Pageant were Akhshaya Baskar, Simi Sharma, Shetal Waters, Sandeep Gill, Rohini Singh, Lalli Venkatakrishnan, Jessie Takhar, Sanaa Mohammed, Sarina Vij and Rachel Bharwani.
Lakshmi Baweja
Founder, India Waves TV Network
Guest of Honor Deepak Mehta drawing raffle
with Emcees Vanessa Patel (l) & Ruhee Walia (r)
Guest of Honor was Deepak Mehta of Mehta entertainment. South Asian Cross section of community leaders graced the occasion included Raj Banot, Dr. Romesh Japra, JayaPrasad Vejendla, Dr. Hundal, Dr. Bhandari, Atty. Ashwini Bakhri, Dr. Dhillon, Yogi Chugh, FIA President Rajesh Varma, Dalbir Saini & others. The Event backdrop complimenting the blue & white/ivory theme was provided by Pamila of Eve Decor.
Lakshmi Baweja added, “We thank one & all for supporting Scholarship Star Pageant & we look forward to take it to next level in 2012.”
Scholarship Pageant competition consist four rounds including modeling in Eastern & Western outfit, Talent segment & finally IQ round with Questions & Answers on topics related to students age group 14 to 24 years.
The Panel of Judges were Silicon Valley Women Engineering Executive Radhika Reddy, India Community Center Banquet Director Virender Chibber, Vice President FIA Vijaya Aasuri, IW Youth Wing Co-President & Youth TV host Hibah Mohammed, Engineer & Choreographer Rupinderjit Panjeta.
India Waves Network next Youth project is Dance Muqabla (an open dance competition) expected to attract 300 contestants from Silicon Valley School & Colleges.The annual competition for Kids 5 to 8 years, Juniors 9-13 years old, Seniors 14 to 18 years old & Open 19 years & up.
Miss India Star Scholarship Pageant will broadcast on India Waves TV Network in all 50 States originating in bay area starting Feb 5th.
IW Youth Wing assisting management team (l to r) Shivani Prabhala, Greeshma Sanchula, Vanessa Patel, with Anthony & Lakshmi along with Kausar Mohd, Hibah Mohd, Pallavi Setty, Nashiya Moosa, Dipali Parmar
