Anupama exudes confidence as she speaks to Life Online about the recently concluded pageant, Miss Oriental Tourism 2012, held in China.
Promoting tourism, culture and Sri Lanka’s traditions is definitely one of the highlights of this pageant, says Anupama, and the fact that one has to speak in your mother tongue most of the time while overseas, is definitely a whole new experience.
What was the experience like?
Being my first international pageant, the whole experience just blew me away. The people you meet from other countries and interacting with them was a definite learning curve for me. The best part was the choreography and the various routines we had to learn which meant I was right here, where I wanted to be and there was no turning back.
What are the main judging criteria?
Well, the way you present yourself as you would in other beauty pageants, but you’re judged mostly on how well you represent your country. From the language, to traditional attire to even the way you greet those around you. You’re scored on all of that and it is no easy task convincing the judges of how great your country is in your mother tongue…
Anupama also added:
Foreigners love Sri Lankans. They love our complexion, the texture of our hair, almost everything about us. Also helps that we’re one of the friendliest people in the world.
I have made so many friends from the pageant and I’m actually meeting up with some of them next week. (It helps that Anupama flies for Sri Lankan Airlines)
How do pageants such as the Miss Oriental Tourism assist you in your future?
Pageants teach you leadership. You’re in a foreign country surrounded by total strangers and you need to survive in an environment like that. So you teach yourself to make decisions for yourself right then and there and you learn to stand out in order to achieve your goals.
Pageants are a great platform to set the pace for your future coz you meet ambassadors and many great men and women of influence and if you’re looking at a future in charity organizations and other social services, this will benefit you immensely as many come forward offering you funds.
What’s next for Anupama?
I will continue to model part time because I enjoy it very much. And I will also continue my work at Sri Lankan Airlines. I believe in doing things you truly enjoy and flying is definitely one of them.
I will also officially be launching my very own “Diivaya” or “Life” Foundation on the 8th of July 2012, which also happens to be my 24th birthday.
The “Diivaya” or “Life” Foundation will help underprivileged children and also lower income families with education, medical supplies, food and other needs.
“Diivaya” Foundation will also organize a fundraising cricket match on the day of the launch and also a blood drive very soon.
My experience visiting numerous elders’ homes and orphanages during the pageant in China, encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and actually do something in order to better the conditions of these people’s lives right here in Sri Lanka. As the saying goes, “Charity begins at home”, and for me it’s something I believe in.
Interviewed by Antonia
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