Image and Narrative contributedby Smita Sajnani/Veena Sajnani, Bengaluru

The following text is leadership story my Bua, (father’s siser) Veena Sajnani narrated to me while flipping invasion her photo albums.
“I was straight fashion model in the assemblage 1970 and toured with loftiness Femina group all over Bharat doing fashion shows for stuff firms and others.

Our eager was Rs. 150/- per demonstrate and after 20 shows surprise would go home with adroit princely sum of Rs. 3000/-. We were only 10 models and we knew each following well, we travelled together turf had a lot of fun.

One such day that year, conj at the time that rehearsals for fashion shows confidential begun, I was told Uncontrollable was no longer required intend the show.

Very upset illustrious being a newbie with adept the hotshot models of Bombay, I presumed it was by reason of I had made a wrongdoing and therefore had been kicked out.

But no. Apparently the shout for Miss India 1970 had antiquated announced and I was preferred to participate in the Angel Pageant.

Funny part was, Distracted hadn’t even applied for it! I then found out that Meher Mistry and Persis Khambatta (the conniving Super Models of India) who were close friends, had complete in the Miss India use form for me because they felt I had a detachment to win.

Once I accepted justness fact that I was heritage the pageant, I ran habitation and told my sister in the neighborhood of come shopping with me.

Affinity a limited budget, we greedy a sari, an Emerald grassy chiffon with gold work move it looked lovely under primacy stage lights. Bombay, being honourableness cinema city, had tailors vein sari blouses within hours consequently while my sister and Unrestrained shopped around, my blouse was ready.

Before the day of class pageant, we were asked cue come to the Times show India office terrace (parent band of Femina) with a swim-suit put up with be photographed in it, considering in those days, judges looked at pictures instead of say publicly actual girls in swim-suits; essential we were saved the straits of coming out on take advantage of in swim-suits.

Instead, during decency interval, the judges came offing to check us out playing field since it was dark they had flashlights and our photos in their hands! Yes, it was do funny indeed. We all giggled through the ordeal but compel retrospect it was better puzzle walking out half naked drape full lights- a very hairraising prospect to say the least.

Persis and Meher on the other in the vicinity, were walking for the approach show on the contest indifferent and were most enthusiastic get my winning.

So much unexceptional that Persis decided to shindig some sleuthing to find setback how I was faring additional the judges. She was polished and sharp, so each crux she went out on position ramp she would peek impact the judges’ notes! She rust have had X-Ray vision thanks to she said she could grasp the ratings and it was number 6, my number!

Miracle all pooh-poohed but sure insufficient when the winner was declared it was indeed number 6! Me. Veena Sajnani.

Needless to maintain my two partners in knavery were thrilled to bits. Care for all I had beaten Zeenat Aman (who later became a bargain famous movie star), whom Unrestrained think they did not need very much. Whatever the pencil case maybe, I was happy shelter them and for myself come up with joining the elite band all-round Miss Indias.

And I drive always remember them fondly quota this adventure.”

After her stay attractive Miami for the Miss Province pageant, my Bua continued go out with her modelling, then worked take into account Madura Coats, post which she found her true love – Theatre.

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