Tribal girls sashay ramp in Steel City

JAMSHEDPUR: Eighteen tribal girls, including two from West Bengal and Odisha, sashayed down the ramp at Michael John Auditorium in the Steel City on Friday during the maiden Miss India Indigenous contest
In the first two semi-final rounds held on Friday the contestants dressed in both traditional and modern segments drew a rousing applause from the audience.The contestants threw light on how tribal community gradually stepped up the social ladder over a period of centuries and integrated with the contemporary world in modern times.
"The fundamental behind two categories - traditional and modern attires - is to demonstrate how the tribal community has progressed in a sustained manner and have struck a balance between age-old traditions and requirements of the modern era," said Vinay Purty, one of the jury on the panel that will select the winner at the title round to be held on Saturday.
The All India Santhali Film Association (AISFA), which has organised the beauty pageant, said that the participation is moderate this year.
"We are certain to get more participation from next year as the event gets wide coverage across the state and beyond ," said Ramesh Hansdah of AISFA.
He said the pageant is aimed at infusing a sense of empowerment among tribal girls.
The contestants were all smiles and excited to walk on the ramp. "It was an exciting feeling to walk the ramp in complete traditional attire," said Srishti Hansdah, a Jamshedpur-based undergraduate student.
Likewise, Dobru Tudu, who has come to participate from Purulia in West Bengal, said: "Thorough training under the guidance of experienced hands boosted our confidence and also improved our overall performance throughout the preliminary round till semis."