Imphal: In her early schooldays, Thounaojam Strela Luwang suffered seizures (epilepsy) whenever pressure was mounted on her by schoolteachers for good marks. Years later, after being crowned Miss Manipur, Strela wants a child-friendly environment in schools.

"I suffered seizures whenever my teacher scolded me for not doing well in class. So I studied hard but that did not help me. I used to wish that there would not be so much pressure. I would like to appeal to school authorities and educationists to make school environment child friendly without much pressure for marks," Strela told The Telegraph.

Strela, a resident of Imphal, was crowned Miss Manipur in the beauty contest held here on Saturday evening.

Her father, Ratan Luwang, a well-known photographer, said he had to make arrangements with her daughter's school authorities to allow her to appear for examinations for Classes III and IV by not attending classes and studying at home. He also had to take her to Chennai for treatment.

She finally recovered from epilepsy after attending dance and yoga classes.

"In Class V, my father admitted me to a school where the environment was better. Schools should not function like a pressure cooker, which cause depression to students," Strela said.

Now, with seizures a thing of the past, Strela has gained confidence. "I want to contest for the Miss India title," Miss Manipur, who draws inspiration from Helen Keller, said.

Strela has been in the beauty business for a couple of years. She has modelled for Eicher Motors and taken part in one of the Garnier fashion weeks. She tried to contest the Miss Manipur pageant last year but her application was rejected for not meeting the requirement of a contestant having passed at least matriculation. Now she is in Class XI.

Strela loves to write, be it poems or short essays. "Life is like an incomplete drawing. But we have to keep drawing to get a perfect picture. That is success to me," she writes.

The professions of doctor, engineer or civil services are not for Strela. She wants to become a writer and a ceramic designer. She is now looking for the right institute offering a ceramic designer's course.

Luwang is willing to fulfil his daughter's wishes. "I fear the seizures may recur if my daughter is unhappy or depressed," the father said.