Manali: Deepka Thakur, who runs a dancing school in Mandi, was declared as Mrs Manali 2016 at the Red Cross Mela that concluded here on Monday.
The contest was a stiff one as there were 28 contestants from across the state in the fray for the Mrs Manali 2016 Beauty Pageant crown.
Besides being crowned with a silver tiara, Deepka as the winner of the pageant was also given Rs 30,000/- as prize money. Shallu Chauhan Garsangi from Manali was declared first runner-up and Babli Bali from Kullu was crowned as second runner-up.
Ritu Thakur from Manali and Sunita Thakur also from Manali were chosen Most Confident and Graceful lady respectively.
After the early elimination rounds, 28 beauties were picked up for a quarter final round and for the final round only 6 top beauties were in the fray. These beautiful ladies, late yesterday night, had to participate in a catwalk conducted on an open air ramp and test for intelligence and presence of mind. A panel of six judges at the pageant put tough questions for the ladies.
Deepka was crowned the Mrs Manali title for her ramp presentation, IQ level, presence of mind and good performance in social service round. “I dedicate my win to my parents, my mentors and my loved ones. My Father and Mother always supported me in modelling and helped me in achieving this success,” Deepka said, adding that she aims to take part in modelling.
Talking about the cash prize, she said she would donate some part of the money to Bati Baccaho scheme. “I am pursuing BA in classical dance. I had participated in Manali Winter Queen beauty pageant last year too but could not make it to the top position. This time I worked hard,” said the Mrs Manali 2016 winner.
“All the contestants worked hard equally. Now that I won the crown, I first visited Hidimba Temple and am now planning to see other popular places around Lahaul,” she added.
Deepka said Salman khan was her role model and the message she had for youngsters was that they should introspect about what they are up to regularly and work hard to achieve their goal.
“Women should never be underestimated. They are equal in talent and all they want is an opportunity to bring forth their talent,” she Deepka.
Sanjay Dutta, an engineer by qualification but is a journalist by choice.
He has worked for the premier new agency Press Trust of India and leading English daily Indian Express.
With more than a decade of experience, he has been highlighting issues related to environment, tourism and other aspects affecting mountain ecology.
Sanjay Dutta lives in a village close to Manali in Kullu valley of Himachal.
