`I don't think I am prepared' - Miss World Contestant
by Sharon Lall
MS. INDRA Changa, who is to represent Guyana at the upcoming 1999 Miss World Pageant, is seeking assistance to ensure her participation in the London event. The 20-year-old beauty yesterday broke her silence, and complained of being cash-strapped and in dire need of additional sponsorship to guarantee her presence at the December 4 pageant billed for the Grand Hall Olympia, London. Changa, in an interview with the Chronicle, appealed for the corporate community and Government to come forward and offer a helping hand. "It's about Guyana being represented on an international stage after one decade...I want to be a good Ambassador (and) I can do it with the help of people," she pointed out, preferring to avoid comments on the Miss World pageant franchise holder, Mr. Sri Yoogeandra. The Aquarius-born said she kept quiet for the past five months because she "did not want to come across as being brash". "...I have no other choice. I want to let the public know that I am not prepared". Changa, who is expected to arrive in London on November 15 for the 21-day stay, has not yet secured funds to buy her air ticket, nor does she have flags of Guyana, as stipulated under the Miss World guideline, spending money or gifts for the host country - a vital part of being a good Ambassador. This, Changa confessed, was one of the "embarrassing" situations Miss Guyana/Universe contestant, Morvinia Sobers, had encountered during her stint in Trinidad. The Miss World contestant said she had planned to travel to New York to shop for her winter wardrobe, but her application for a visa was turned down by the US Embassy. "I don't think I am prepared. Everything (has been) left for the last minute. I don't have a quarter of the wardrobe I need for the 21-day stay," Changa lamented, adding that she has been faced with quite a task in single-handedly getting everything ready for the Miss World pageant. So far, Changa has been relying on bits of her own wardrobe for the international event. Her lone sponsor, Action Tyre, has pledged US$10,000 towards her participation, from which US$5,500 had to be handed over as franchise fees to Sri Yoogeandra. "I have an evening gown for December 4 and about three or four suits, three cocktail dresses and about two evening gowns. But, I don't think that is adequate for a 21-day stay in London... "...To make an impression you have to look good all the time," Changa said. Over the last few months, the GTV news reporter/presenter has been working out daily at the Pro-Fitness gym free of charge. She recently had a few sessions with Lester Rauseo, the trainer for the last Miss Guyana Pageant, in modelling, make-up and basic training for the Miss World pageant. Changa stressed, though: "At this point of time, I'm not sure what next will happen...It is frustrating...I am in an awkward position". She said she saw a document confirming that she was expected to be a contestant in the Miss World pageant but, to date, has not been given a hand-book on what are her responsibilities at the pageant. On whether she will withdraw from the Miss World pageant, Changa noted that it would be unwise to opt out since she is brave enough to attend the pageant with whatever she is given. She added that she is mentally "hyped up" and physically prepared, but must deal with the "hiccups" of not having enough funds for the contest. "I have no money, basically," Changa said, explaining that the only cash given her was spent on an evening gown for the pageant and trip to Trinidad, where she was given a set of Sasha Cosmetic products and swimwear from `Chaos' Manufacturing Company.
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