Beauty parades

Much ado about nothing -- I am commenting about the recently concluded "navel" show (I mean the Miss World Pageant) in Bangalore, India. It should really have been treated as a non- event.

Mr. G.S. Edwin describes that this year's contest is a win-win situation for everyone concerned (Nov. 28, 1996). Let's briefly look at the scenario.

Beauty contests are nothing but publicity stunts. The only people who benefit from these extravaganzas are the cosmetic and perfume companies, swimwear manufacturers and the TV media moguls. The "naked" truth is that it is big business. Otherwise, why did the "Big B" -- Amitabh Bachan, once billed as a "one-man industry" in Indian film circles -- become the promoter of this year's global glamor game?

Is Miss World the most beautiful girl in the world? Not so, really. Millions of girls would not even dream of entering a beauty contest. So, how can that description be truthfully applied to Miss World? It is just that some people thought that Miss Irene Skliva of Greece was beautiful and crowned her Miss World. Wasn't that a case where beauty was in the eye of the beholder?

The newly crowned Miss World will experience one year of glamor and glitter, an escape from an ordinary mundane existence. The title is also an easy ticket to instant stardom, as was the case with Aiswara Rai and Sushmita Sen, both of whom landed up bagging plum film roles recently. They forget that the movie world is like quicksand about to gobble them up, and they are simply jumping from the frying pan to the fire.

Besides, if they are lousy performers without acting talent, their plastic smiles would not take them far. A British film producer had rightly commented that the ability to smile must not be confused in the wildest imagination with the ability to act.

Thus, the Miss World title is only an illusion; a bubble that will soon burst. Ruin follows their reign. They should know that the artificial adulation does not last long and their individual identity is going to be lost for ever.

If you ask me, the most beautiful woman in the world today is Mother Teresa, who personifies kindness and compassion. She is currently under treatment and medical care in a Calcutta nursing home, and we can only pray for her speedy recovery. The unwanted and uncared-for children of the world still need her and look up to her as their savior.

D. CHANDRAMOULI

Jakarta