The next two stops for P.C. Chandra Goldlites Diva, in association with t2, were Deshbandhu College for Girls and Victoria Institution (College). The participants walked the ramp in western wear and gave their introduction, which was then followed by the Eastern round. Six participants from Deshbandhu College for Girls and five from Victoria Institution (College) were selected for the talent round called ‘3 Minutes To Fame’ and from there three were selected for the Q&A round. The winner from each college received a gift voucher worth Rs 5,000 from P.C. Chandra Jewellers, while the first and second runners-up took home vouchers worth Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,000 respectively.

DESHBANDHU COLLEGE FOR GIRLS

3 MINUTES TO FAME:

Six finalists worked hard to impress the judge. While Olivia Chowdhury sang Nazm nazm, Swati Tiwari belted out Dua. Riya Bhatt and Diksha Singh matched steps to Kala chashma. Masuma Sultana drew a lot of cheers from the audience as she danced to a remix of Apsara aali and Swag se swagat, and Suravi Patra sang the evergreen number, Lag jaa gale. 

QUESTION TIME:

Tell me about something that you’ve done and will never do again?
Diksha: There is nothing that I will never do again because whatever I have done, I am proud of it. It made me what I am today. 

If you were to win, what would the title mean to you? 
Suravi: It would mean a lot to me. Since my childhood, my mother wanted me to pursue my dreams. I want people to know my mother as ‘Suravi’s mother’. I want to make my mother proud because she means the world to me. 

Who is your favourite role model and why?
Masuma: Deepika Padukone because it is amazing to see how she has struggled to be where she is now. 

WINNER
 

“The P.C. Chandra Goldlites Diva is a huge opportunity for a student like me. The pageant’s motto is to find someone who has beauty and brains, and that’s what I love about the show,” said Suravi Patra, a third-year BCom student. 

FIRST RUNNER-UP
 

“The best moment was when my name was announced as the first runner-up. From today’s experience I have learnt to believe in myself,” said Masuma Sultana, a first-year education honours student. 

SECOND RUNNER-UP
 

“This is the first time I have participated in an event like this. It was a great experience and a learning process for me. The Q&A round reminded me that half of the beauty lies in one’s brain,” said Diksha Singh, a third-year BA general student.  

 JUDGE SPEAK

“The best part is the confidence that I see in these young girls. It is something that I did not have when I was at their age. There is something to learn from everyone in this competition,” said actor Gaurav Chakrabarty.

VICTORIA INSTITUTION (COLLEGE)

3 MINUTES TO FAME:
Five students made it to the talent round. Jhilik Mondal played the violin, Nabarupa Sarkar danced to Aaja nachle. Poulami Dutta added a classical touch, dancing to Mohe rang do laal. Nasrin Parveen matched steps to Cheez badi and Koushiki Guha Thakurta to Gahana ghana chhailo.

QUESTION TIME:

What does winning the P.C. Chandra Goldlites Diva title mean to you?
Jhilik: Everyone has a desire to see themselves as a diva. I had never performed on stage before and this was my first time. I really want to go ahead with modelling as a career. 

Who is your favourite role model and why? 
Nabarupa: My mother is my role model. She is the person who has taken care of me since my birth, in every way. In summer if I don’t drink enough water she will insist I do or if I surf my phone late at night, she gets worried that I might get dark circles. 

Everyone has come here to win. So, in which respect do you think you are better than the others? 
Nasrin: I have the confidence and attitude to win it. I want to pursue modelling and I am thankful to P.C. Chandra for giving me this opportunity. The ones who were not selected are really talented and I am lucky to have been chosen. 

WINNER

“I have wanted to be a model since childhood and it would not have been possible if I did not get this opportunity. The best part was when my name was announced,” said Nasrin Parveen, a first-year BA general student.

FIRST RUNNER-UP
 

“It was an excellent opportunity for me to showcase my talent. I have become more confident,” said Nabarupa Sarkar, a first-year student of English. 

SECOND RUNNER-UP 
 

“This has been my best experience till date. I enjoyed it from the core of my heart. The best part was the talent hunt round where I got to perform in front of the audience who supported me throughout,” said Jhilik Mondal, a second-year geography student. 

JUDGE SPEAK

“Whatever you do in life, you need to learn. There are various blogs on style. If you are interested, read up and know more about fashion and then build your own sense of style. It’s not about following stars and models,” said Gaurav Chakrabarty.

Text: Debolina Banerjee
Pictures: B. Halder