Mumbai: Femina Miss India 2012 winner Vanya Mishra says she has her eyes firmly fixed on the Miss World 2012 pageant to be held in China next month.
The 19-year-old, who hails from Chandigarh, said she always has the dream of returning the crown to India.
"I know I have to win in the same way I kept telling myself that I will win Miss India and became the runners up.
I count Diana Hayden (Miss World 1997) and Priyanka Chopra (Miss World 2000) as among my favourites since my pre-Miss India days. I want to bring back the Miss World crown to India," Mishra told PTI.
Asked how she is preparing herself, the electrical engineering student said she attends regular fitness sessions with a team of professionals, beauticians and instructors. Besides the morning workouts, Vanya said, she follows a healthy, normal diet and eats a lot of fruits sans junk food.
She recalled how the girls and boys at her institution, PEC University, did not believe that someone they knew could become Miss India, Miss Universe or Miss World.
"Only I believed in myself and so did my family and especially mom. Don't harbour negative thoughts. If you are really serious ask yourself if you have it in you and get ready for the grueling rounds for the shortlist," Vanya said.
Asked how her life had changed since March 30, when she won the Pantaloons Femina Miss India title in the country, Mishra said "I have to give 20 interviews on an average every day."
She regretted that her busy schedule sometimes angered friends when she could not return their calls.
Mishra, who has got some offers including one from a known banner in the pre-pageant days, said at the moment she is concentrating on the pageant. "My priority remains to represent my country and then finishing my studies. And yes, it depends, afterwards," she said.
Mishra got a wildcard entry to the contest after being declared the winner of Dabur Gulabari Miss Rose Glow contest in 2011.
She had also won the Dabur Femina Miss Beautiful Skin 2012 in the sub-contests of Miss India.
"It has been long since an Indian won the Miss World crown and the whole country is expecting Vanya to get the crown back on August 18." Sanjay Singh, Dabur India Ltd Marketing head, said.
