Changa to compete at Miss World contest
BY WENDELLA DAVIDSON
FIRST runner-up in the Miss Guyana '99 Pageant, Indra Changa, has been selected to participate in the Miss World contest to be held in Israel in November. Local franchise holder of Miss World contract, Sri Yoogeandra, said that Chairman of the Miss World Inc., Mr Eric Morley, has given the green light for Changa, in her capacity as first runner-up, to compete in the pageant as this country's representative. Changa, who hails from the North West District, stands at five feet seven inches and sports statistics of 36-28-38. A Presenter/Assistant Editor on the morning newscast of the state-owned television station, GTV 11, Changa, who is also a singer, has begun training sessions at the Pro-Fitness Gym, Queenstown, Georgetown, Yoogeandra said. According to Yoogeandra, because of the economic situation prevailing in the country, it is not feasible to hold another pageant to select a contestant for Miss World and it was on this premise that he presented a case to have Changa accepted. Yoogeandra had earlier this year indicated that two pageants would have been held to select the beauties to represent Guyana at the Miss Universe and Miss World contests. However, unlike reigning Miss Guyana, Morvinia Sobers, who participated in the just-concluded Miss Universe pageant, Changa will not parade in a national costume, as the segments for Miss World are swimwear, personality interview and evening gown. In addition to gym training at Pro-Fitness, Changa is to be taken through her modelling and other paces by Trinidadian, Mr Lester Rauseo, who is expected back in Guyana shortly, Yoogeandra said. Rauseo was here during the run-up to the Miss Guyana '99 pageant. Yoogeandra has stressed, however, that sponsors will have to make a great contribution if Changa's participation at the Miss World Pageant is to be assured. Yoogeandra said he does not intend to appoint a committee to handle aspects of Changa's preparation, as was done for the Miss Guyana and Miss Universe pageants. He said, however, that he will hire people to do specific jobs. When asked whether he had sought clarification on the issue of a Miss Universe contestant entering the Miss World Pageant and vice versa, Yoogeandra said he had. He pointed out though that he discovered it is not an open policy. Such a decision is made on a case by case basis, he stressed. The first Miss Guyana to place in the top six at the Miss World pageant was Miss Guyana 1966, Umbilita Van Sluytman. The following year, Shakira Baksh, who later married British Actor, Sir Michael Caine, participated and placed third at the Miss World contest. Miss Guyana 1968, Alexis Harris, also made it to the finals at the Miss World Pageant. The following year, Pamela Lord - now Pamela Lord-Bhagwandin - an Essequibian, placed fourth. After a 17-year lapse, Miss Guyana 1988, Christina Amanda Jardim, represented Guyana at the pageant in London, but did not make it to the finals.
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