Looking to make her mark at national pageant

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/06/2014 (4296 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Simi Mehta has her sights set on being crowned Mrs. South Asia Canada — and she’s hoping for the public’s help to secure the title.

The Royalwood resident — who owns and operates Simi Magic Spa, located at L-730 St. Anne’s Rd. in Southglen Shopping Centre — is preparing to head to Ontario to compete in the pageant, which will be held in Etobicoke, Ont. on Fri., July 11.

Hosted by Helping Hands for Sick Kids Worldwide in collaboration with Ragaa Productions, the intention of the contest — formerly known as Mrs. Yummy Mummy Canada — is to celebrate the inner and outer beauty of women from South Asia, as well as recognize their achievements, including motherhood, and acknowledge their cultural heritage, Mehta said.

According to the pageant’s criteria, participants aged between 25 and 60 who claim ancestry from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are eligible to enter the contest.

“Of course, it’s a beauty contest, but it’s also a celebration of South Asian women who are smart, and good mothers and wives,” Mehta said, noting she is married to Deepak and has two sons, Chirag and Mehar.

“It’s also about showing it’s not the end of a woman’s life after she gets married and celebrating talent and independence. Many ladies come to Canada from other countries and their lives are over after their wedding, so it’s important for them to have role models.”

In fact, it was one of Mehta’s sons who suggested she enter the contest in the first place, telling her he’ll be “so proud” whether she wins the pageant or not.

Mehta said the pageant includes various rounds, including one where the participants dress up like a Bollywood diva, another where they wear sarees, a judges’ round with a question-and-answer format and a grand finale, which will showcase contestants wearing evening gowns.

She added that part of the judging criteria includes garnering votes from community members — in the form of Facebook page likes. At press time, Mehta had 4,890 likes. For more information, or to support Mehta, visit www.facebook.com/pages/Simi-Mehta-for-Mrs-South-Asia-Canada-2014/669949136375151

“A woman from Vancouver has 6,700 likes, so I’m hoping Winnipeggers will support me, as I’m supporting Winnipeg — My Winnipeg,” Mehta said.

Mehta will arrive in Toronto on Mon. July 7 to take part in a four-day image-building workshop and training session before taking part in the pageant at the Mirage Convention Centre. She said a number of Bollywood stars are expected to be among the judges.

“It’s a huge, big contest. I’m feeling happy about doing and I’m excited. I think it will be a lot of fun. Afterwards, I’m hoping to take the kids to Niagara Falls for a short break.”

Mehta said if she wins the contest, she will also participate in fundraising and humanitarian activities to support sick children, as this is also a component of the event.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com

Facebook.com/TheLanceWPG
Twitter: @lanceWPG