Miss Universe sees her success as one for all women
By Rita A. Widiadana
JAKARTA (JP): What is the essence of a woman ?
"A child originally comes from a mother. A mother is a woman who shows men the meaning of devotion and unconditional love. That's the essence of a woman," says the 18-year-old Miss India in answer to the question.
This spontaneous answer garnered Sushmita Sen the crown of Miss Universe l994 (not Miss World 1994 as printed in The Jakarta Post's Saturday edition) in Manila in May. In the 43-year history of the pageant, she became the first Indian and the youngest woman to wear the prestigious beauty crown.
She edged out 80 candidates, including favored contestants from Columbia and Venezuela.
"My recent success is a real accomplishment for a woman from a developing country. Therefore, I would like to encourage the women of Asia, including Indonesia, to achieve as high a position as possible in any field in the international world," said an articulate Miss Universe at a press gathering at the Le Meridien Hotel here Saturday.
The press conference opened her five-day visit in Jakarta and Surabaya.
Dressed in a yellow tunic combined with a long embroidered- brocade jacket of the same color, the 1.75-meter tall Sushmita's maturity belied her teen age.
Though she looked a little bit weary after paying three-hours of courtesy calls to the First Lady, Mrs. Tien Soeharto, and other government officials earlier that morning, Sushmita cheerfully posed for the photographers and answered all questions raised by local journalists.
Asked how she felt of being Miss Universe, a smiling Sushmita pointed out that she was very exciting, saying ,"This is a nice experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. It is something that I can smile at when I look back on the experience. It is also improving my self-confidence and sense of independence. But, more importantly, as Miss Universe I will be able to do charity work to help needy people."
As the holder of this year's Miss Universe title, the dark- brown eyed model from New Delhi will spend her year-long reign traveling throughout the world (at least, 30 countries including Indonesia), attending charitable, commercial and public activities on behalf of the pageant's producer, Miss Universe Inc., a subsidiary of Madison Square Garden, a Paramount Communications Company.
Another thing that makes her smile is the US$225,000 in cash and prizes granted to her as the winner of the contest.
In Indonesia, she is scheduled to take part in several social and cultural activities to raise funds for orphanages in Jakarta, victims of natural disasters and for the development of poor villages in East Java.
Her visit here is jointly organized by PT Mustika Ratu, PT Emerald Reksagemilang, Le Meridien Hotel and other sponsors. Her programs in Surabaya will be managed by the Lions Club and Perkosmi, the Association of Cosmetics Companies.
Sushmita, a fan of Mother Theresa, said that she hopes to focus her efforts on the environment and population activities. She said she will also continue to emphasize the development of women both internationally and in India.
She is also concerned about prostitution and poverty.
Direct
"Women have a direct link with population and environmental problems and development. The extent to which women are free to make decisions affecting their lives is the key to our future, not only in poor countries, but in the world as a whole," said high school graduate Sushmita.
In answer to a question of what she would do if she were an Indian prime minister, Sushmita said she had never dreamed of taking that position. However, she said if she did, she would have concentrated on improving family planning programs, education and improving the condition of Indian women, especially those living in rural areas.
"Because I come from India, the world's second largest country of 900 million, I am able to speak about the importance of these issues," Sushmita added.
She went on to say that the issue of women's rights also plays a significant role in the development of a country. Although the majority of Indian women are still regarded as "second class" citizens, she noted that more and more Indian women have become aware of their rights as individuals and are now opting for higher positions at work without neglecting their role as wife and mother at home.
Sushmita, a daughter of a retired air force pilot father and a businesswoman mother, admitted that she was lucky to be born into a middle-class family where she was given equal treatment and opportunity. However, she explained that women living in India's rural areas are only just starting to be treated fairly.
"As an Indian woman, I will be proud of being a good mother and wife. But, I will also have many opportunities to pursue my career. It is not important to be a feminist. In my opinion, a woman should know exactly what she wants and how to achieve it," said Sushmita.
Citing one example, she said even though she comes from a conservative country like India where women are still considered inferior to their male counterparts, she received wide support from her home country to take part in the beauty contest in Manila.
Earlier reports revealed that the contest itself was highlighted by a march involving Gabriela, the Philippine feminist group of 48,000 members, which protested against the staging of the Miss Universe contest in Manila in May saying it was 'a spectacle of female flesh.'