Exclusive Interview with Miss Chandigarh 2013 (Navneet Kaur Dhillon)

Young, vivacious and optimistic, 20-year-old Navneet Kaur Dhillon was just a media student by profession until she proved her real mettle by winning the Miss India Chandigarh 2013. One of the few fresh faces that can give her co-contestants a tough run for competition, she has secured her place among the top 20 finalists of the Ponds Femina Miss India 2013.

In an exclusive interview, Navneet talks about her preparation for the upcoming pageant.

Excerpts below...

You've recently won yourself the title of Ponds Femina Miss India Chandigarh 2013. How do you feel and how has been the experience so far?

I feel on top of the world! The experience has been very good, encouraging and joyful. It was like an adventure and all thanks to the trainers and grooming experts of Femina Miss India. I underwent a complete transformation from the day I enrolled for the pageant and the day I won. What I like most is that people have started addressing me as Miss Chandigarh instead of Navneet. It's thrilling and gives me goose bumps every time I hear myself being addressed as Miss Chandigarh.

The next big step is Miss India 2013 to be held in Mumbai. How are you preparing for it?

To win any pageant, one needs to prepare in segments rather than doing everything altogether. So, the first thing that I did after winning was watch the past years' Miss India & Miss World shows. I wanted to know how the pageants work because to win, you have to be very sure about the format of the pageant.

Right now, I am undergoing intense workout sessions at the gym. I am following a proper diet and being guided by experts to further tone my body. I am also practicing catwalk basics taught by our ramp walk trainer, Alicia Raut. And yes, a bit of meditation that helps me focus. Once I get a little stable with these, I will start preparing for the wardrobe and styling. I am also trying to improve my speaking skills by reading and watching videos available on Internet.

Every state winner is different and will have a unique approach. What would be your strategy to crack the pageant? How confident are you of winning?

Like I said, I believe in step by step preparation. I am confident of winning as I have what it takes to be a Miss India. As far as strategy is concerned, I am going to be myself and not copy others. I plan to enhance my strengths and work hard to improve my weaknesses.

What all sub-titles are you aiming to win?

Since I won Femina Miss Glowing Skin title at Chandigarh pageant, it's natural that I want to win it again. Other than that, people like my hair, so Miss Beautiful Hair is second on the list. I also want to win Miss Photogenic, Miss Beauty with a Purpose and Miss Congeniality.

In the world of Miss Indias, who is your biggest inspiration and why?

It has to be Vanya! When I saw Miss World 2012, I found her to be stunning and spectacular in the finale. For a moment, I felt as if I am competing as I could relate to the rush that Vanya must have felt. Another Miss India who I find very mesmerizing is the very lovely Rochelle Maria Rao. She is an inspiration for many. I got a chance to meet both these ladies in person at Femina Miss India Chandigarh. I also wanted to meet Prachi but couldn't although I am sure she is equally stunning.

In an earlier interview, you talked about opening your own production house. Tell us more about it.

The production house dream will come true, hopefully. I am pursuing B. Tech. in Television, Film production and Media Technology and learning a lot about what goes on behind the camera. I have done a few projects where I assisted my seniors in production and acted in a few films with social causes that are yet to be released. In fact, one of the films is called 'Choice' and can be viewed on YouTube.

What are the prominent modelling assignments you've featured in so far?

I have done a few shows and acted in a number of short films that were a part of my course.

Any plans to take on Bollywood?

As I mentioned earlier, I am studying to make films. Bollywood is the place - it could be acting and directing. My aim is to act in films directed by me.

With reference to the recent Delhi gang rape case, how do you think one can bring about changes in the society? What is your take on the issue?

It's very sad that this is happening and that too every day in all the states of our country. So why blame Delhi alone? The most important step should be to bring about a change in moral education from beginning, i.e. childhood. The child should be taught the equality of gender. Speedy punishment may work as a deterrent.

Do you really think that women are the weaker sex as popular belief would have it?

A land where Durga and Kali are worshipped, where Jhansi ki Rani fought against men, and several other incidents where women have come out stronger than men, calling women weak is a sin! Today women are rubbing shoulders with men in all fields including armed forces and proving to be equally competent, if not better. This popular belief of weaker sex has started changing for the betterment of the society. People should watch the movie called 'True Grit' to see how determined women can be.

Do you think India is ready to accept things like homosexuality, lesbianism, unwed/single parenthood and live-in relationships outside wedlock?

Homosexuality - no, but we just need to keep our minds open about these things because denying it doesn't mean it isn't there. One should learn about it and try to understand before judging. As far as unwed or single parenting is concerned, I feel people make their own choices in life, whether we like it or not. While I advocate the presence of both parents, single parenting is very much present in the society and the best thing we could do is not make this hard on the child because he didn't want to be in that situation. Live-in relationships are growing in number. With divorce rates on the rise, giving living-ins a trial run before involving family or kids may be a good idea. However, in a situation where it's done to be looked upon as modern or emulate the western culture, I definitely do not support that.

Any final thoughts...

I want to put all the effort to prepare myself for Ponds Femina Miss India World Crown. If I win, I'll look forward to representing India internationally and hopefully, make my country proud by winning the coveted crown.