That moment has obviously been her greatest in Kerala — when she was crowned Manappuram Miss Queen of India 2016. Ankita Kharat had nearly missed the event that took place in Kochi this past week. She could not attend the auditions. But then she had sent her resume, and Ajith of Pegasus event makers called her up to tell her she is one of those selected for the show.
Ankita packed her bags and came to Kochi on April 21. One week later, as she goes back to Mumbai with the crown, she has a lot in mind, most importantly that she was now free to explore her music. For she’s that too — a professional singer.
“Everyone in my family is into music, so it’s something that came naturally to me,” says the 19-year-old. She is doing her second year mass media degree in Mumbai, balancing her music and modelling at the same time. All three are important to her, she says, no compromises.
She was in fact selected as one of the top 21 for Miss India last year. But she had to choose between going for it, and attending her exams at college. “I chose my studies and I don’t regret it.” Both her interests had started from a young age. She had been crowned Miss University Mumbai and then Miss University India. She became first runner-up at Miss Navi Mumbai 2016 before coming to Kochi. “It’s been wonderful to be in God’s own country. The city is so nice; the people are so polite and cooperative. But I couldn’t get out much. We were mostly in the hotel, training. One day, however, Ajith took us all to see the beach and it was beautiful."
Beauty pageants, for her, are a way to groom oneself and be a better person. “I was very nervous coming to the contest in Kerala. Another girl and I were the youngest there, everyone else was so experienced.” But that didn’t stop her from winning, and her next stop, if everything goes well, is Miss Asia 2016.
