Mirror..Mirror on the Wall..Shifali Saldanha is Prettiest Among All! An Exclusive on ‘Miss India Continent 2019’ Winner
Mangaluru: Mirror..Mirror on the Wall..Miss Shifali Saldanha is Prettiest Among All! Fringe or no fringe, this gorgeous and stunning 23-year-old Kudla Lass Ms Shifali Saldanha who just completed her MBA Finance & HR from St. Aloysius College (AIMIT)-Beeri, has won the hearts of many, by winning the “Miss India Continent 2019” First Runner-Up, one of the Prestigious Pageant held in Mumbai, Maharashtra in Hotel Mumbai House, Andheri East organized by Dr Mahesh Yadav – Aman Gandhi film Productions.
Fifteen contestants from different parts of the country were shortlisted for the finale which had Five rounds altogether, 1. Traditional round 2. Talent round 3.western round 4. Evening gown round 5. Question and Answer round. Beauty fights for country first and Amity of India was highlighted in this Beauty Pageant. Senior Actor Ramesh Goyal and Music Producer Afroz Khan were the chief guests of the event. Celebrity guest judge Swapnil Sukhla “Miss Asia continent 2019 was also present”. Shifali Saldanha is the daughter of Stephen Saldanha and late Anupama Saldanha won “Miss India continent 2019 First Runner Up” and also “Miss Glory of International 2019”. She is thankful to her family for the constant support and encouragement.
Mangaluru has produced beautiful women like Bollywood actresses Aishwarya Rai, Shilpa Shetty, Freida Selena Pinto, Coastalwood/Sandalwood Actresses Sonal Monteiro, Adhvithi & Ashvithi Shetty, Fashion models/Beauty pageant winners Aafreen Vaz, Carol Menezes, Sudeeksha Kiran, Nischitha Shenoy, Josita Rodrigues, and many more- and now once again, especially Mangalorean Catholics should be proud that the Year 2019 has seen quite a few Beautiful girls from the Catholic Community emerging as “Miss”or “Mrs” in various Beauty pageants-to name a few – 27-year-old Miss Priya Serrao, a Mangaluru Origin bagging the “Miss Universe Australia 2019” crown; 23-yer-old Dr Jennifer Noronha of Fr Muller Homeopathic College winning the “Miss World Super Model 2019′ in Thailand; Young Miss Wincita Dias winning the “Miss Teen Karnataka International” and among others- and now we have glamorous Miss Shifali Saldanha winning this Crown.
For Shifali love is the purest emotion that can’t be expressed in words. Looking the youthful 23 that she is, Shifali has added a bright spot of colour to the dull surroundings during the interview. The ravishing Shifali who is a damsel with a lot of gusto and a resplendent personality. She who outclassed the other 15 contestants to bag the title, spills the beans about her life post this title in the just concluded pageant, future aspirations and much more through this exclusive interview for Mangalorean.com
A beauty pageant or beauty contest is a competition that mainly focuses on the physical beauty of its contestants, although such contests also incorporate personality, intelligence, talent, and answers to judges’ questions as judged criteria. Beauty pageants remain one of the oldest and well-known symbols of sexism in society today. However, the fact remains that beauty pageants still celebrate and reward a narrow view of feminine beauty. Many women who participate in beauty pageants contribute more to society than many would have expected in the past. By their very nature, beauty pageants support the idea that, for women, any noteworthy success or accomplishment should ideally be presented in a pretty package – conventional feminine attractiveness being the package in question.
The Miss India Continent 2019 Pageant has provided a fascinating glimpse into how Indian standards of femininity have been defined, projected, maintained, and challenged. The pageantry had given a chance for young women like Shifali Saldanha to unleash their talents and expose their beauty. But what one realizes beyond that is their warm and straight forward attitude towards life – beautiful, inspiring and infectious. Standing quite tall (5’9), anyone would envy Shifali’s superb physique and flawless skin. A brief conversation with her revealed that she is a strong young lady with engaging thoughts.
She is incredibly sharp, intelligent, confident, and poised, and she was unbelievably good while interviewing. When asked who inspired and motivated her in modelling activities, she said it was her parents, especially her mother who motivated her to take part in every activity, whether cultural, social or spiritual and embedded in them the importance of family and human values. “Being judged a first runner-up was Euphoric! Winning the pageant has been a dream of mine for so long that the reality of winning is yet to sink in. I am just trying to appreciate every single moment of this invaluable accomplishment” said Shifali. She is more than just a beauty and socialite, Shifali is a go-getter and an achiever – her recent success in the pageant is the proof.
Shifali has always understood fashion and style to be an expression of the unique and beautiful inner self of each individual person. Her style prior to the Miss India Continent pageant was exactly that. Her simple and modest demeanour translated into the sense of fashion which she appreciates herself. Ever since she won the title she has found that her sense of style has become more expressive of who she is. Prior to this beauty pageant, Shifali had Secured 1st place in Science Talent examination in District level; Semifinalist of “Big Singer for “J” Reality show; Anchored Reality show “Face of Tharam “ Corporate and wedding events; Celebrity guest appearance in “Junior Masti Season 2” in local DW tv (2018); Jury for the auditions of “Mrs Super Mom 2019”, “Pride of Karnataka 2019” Jury for auditions of Mr. and Miss Alpha 2019; Won the titles Miss Karnataka International- Multimedia 2018, and Miss Beautiful Eyes Mangaluru 2018.
Shifali did her Primary and High School at Maryvale High school, Kinnigoli; PUC at St. Agnes College, Mangaluru; B’com at St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru; and MBA Finance & HR: St. Aloysius College (AIMIT)-Beeri. At present, she is a Community Engagement Executive at Yenepoya Institution, and apart from that, she is an Anchor, a singer and a Model. She speaks four languages English, Hindi, Konkani and Kannada, and her Hobbies are Singing, Dancing, reading books and writing Quotes during travel. Talented and educated Shifali has won the hearts of many now with her achievement on a beauty pageant stage/ramp. Being on the stage of Miss India Continent 2019 is not just a dream for her, but it was a mission- It’s a representation of dedication, resilience, and perseverance. Her mission was to show the nation/world that magic happens when we refuse to give up because the nation/universe always listens to a stubborn heart.
Following are the excerpts from the exclusive interview with Shifali Saldanha:
Q: How does it feel to bag the First runner-up place in the Miss India Continent 2019 contest?
I am truly humbled to win this prestigious title. I feel happy and contented that my hard work has turned into success. At the moment I am on cloud nine.
Q: What was the most important part of pageantry? Why did you want to win this pageant?
Beauty pageants not only highlight beauty as a factor but also include one’s personal style statement, personality, confidence, the way they express themselves and the responsibilities one carries after winning the title. Grooming was the most important part for me as I learnt so many new things. This pageant highlighted beauty fights for country first and Amity of the country and I loved the purpose of it.
Q: Which phase of the competition was your favourite
The meet and greet session with all the participants from different parts of the country involved a lot of learning. This was my favourite phase.
Q: How were you different from the other contestants? What made you unique?
Being myself, not copying others and carrying a go-getter attitude.
Q: What do think would be the three qualities that every woman should have?
In my opinion, every woman should be optimistic, challenging and goal-focused.
Q: What’s your favourite childhood memory?
Draping my mom’s dupatta like a saree when I was seven-years-old. Exploring my home’s backyard assuming it was Jurassic park and looking for Dinosaurs.
Q: How did you prepare for this pageant? Have you competed in pageants before this one?
I was preparing for this pageant for a long time. I practised my walk daily, took care of my diet and sleep, I was underweight training and fitness and most importantly I motivated myself to be better every day.
I have participated in a pageant named Miss Karnataka International 2018.
Q: Who is your latest celebrity guy crush and girl crush?
Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone.
Q: What do your parents have to say about your success in this beauty contest?
My parents have been constant support, in fact, my entire family, including my uncles, aunt and grandma. Everybody in my family is very happy about my success and they expect me to go further and aim higher.
Q: Winning in this pageant, do you have any ideas for a change in your career for the future?
I have a lot of aspirations, I would like to go with the flow and right now I am enjoying the moment.
Q: How would you define your personal style? What do you see when you look in the mirror?
I always like to be different and stand out the crowd. But I also prefer comfort in what I wear and like to be confident in what I do. I see a unique creation of Almighty God, A girl with many aspirations and dreams.
Q: What is your greatest strength and what is your biggest weakness?
My greatest strength is not giving up in life no matter what happens and my biggest weakness is always seeing good in others.
Q: What would be your greatest achievement that will make you feel your life was a huge success?
The day I will be an inspiration to millions of young minds who have gone through a horrifying tragedy like mine (mother’s untimely demise), to know that giving up is not a solution for everything. It is not the end life goes on, life is beautiful and not to give up no matter what happens.
Q: Okay, later in the years in case if you were to choose from films and modelling, what would you choose?
Well, I love both but I would choose films.
Q: Being a beautiful young lady yourself, who would you consider as the most beautiful woman, and why?
The most beautiful woman for me is Mother Theresa. She once said that don’t give examples to people, but be an example to the world. She is charismatic and servant leader who is a living example of teaching what selfless love and caring are to the world.
Q: What is that you would like to share with Mangalorean.com readers? Also some words of advice to younger girls who may want to follow in your footsteps?
To the readers, I would like to say “Things in life can be difficult but not impossible to achieve. So whatever challenges come your way trust God first, face it with boldness and be a conqueror”.
For the young girls, I would like to say “Don’t compromise with your dreams, you only live once”.
Team Mangalorean wishes this “Kodiyalchi Chedu” Miss Shifali Saldanha all success in her future endeavours and bigger Beauty Pageants!