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I'm alive thanks to mom: beauty
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November 29, 2009
By Doreen Premdev
Miss India, Pooja Chopra, who is competing in the Miss World pageant in South Africa, would not be alive today had it not been for the fierce and fearless determination of her mother.
International media reports say that her father, yearning for a boy child, was bitterly disappointed when Chopra arrived - the second girl child in the family.
Distraught at the turn of events, he issued an ultimatum to her mother, Neera: Kill the child or leave the marriage.
Neera chose to leave the marriage with her girls.
"When my mother walked out on my dad, she told him: 'One day this girl will make me proud.'
"All my life I have wanted my mom to be proud of the decision that she chose me," she told the media.
Chopra is one of 112 of the world's most beautiful women to grace the shores of Ballito on the North Coast this week. They will compete in the Miss World pageant to be held at the Gallagher Convention Centre on December 12.
On Thursday, 45 of the 112 beauties competed in the Miss World Beach Beauty competition at the plush Zimbali Estate. Among the bevy of beauties was Chopra.
Chopra, 23, made headlines worldwide when she was crowned Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2009 earlier this year.
Chilling
The story of her birth and the chilling ultimatum her father issued to his wife touched the hearts of millions in her home country.
On the day she was crowned Miss India World, Neera did not celebrate alone - all of India shared her joy.
Chopra has since become a symbol for the campaign against femicide (the killing of females).
Neera's husband used to abuse her.
When they had their first child, a girl named Shubhra, Neera said he made her life miserable.
After Chopra was born, her husband and his family refused to visit the baby in hospital, Neera said in a media briefing held in India earlier this year.
She said she took her girls and left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Neera had no financial support from her husband, who remarried. She struggled to bring up her daughters, but said "it was all worth it".
Chopra said when she won the Miss India title, she did not have any communication with her father who "does not exist" as far as she is concerned.
"When I won the pageant, people called to congratulate me. But it is not me they pay tribute to, but rather to my mother's life and her struggle.
"She is truly a woman of substance," Chopra said.
Miss Gibraltar, Kaiane Aldorino, walked away with the title of Miss World Beach Beauty.
Miss Panama, Nadege Herrera Vasquez, 23, was second and Miss Scotland, Katharine Brow, 22, got the third spot.
The sexy gold swim suits were designed by Durban designer Dax Martin.
The contestants will also wear garments designed by popular Durban designer Haroon Hansrot on the night of the pageant.
doreen.premdev@inl.co.za
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