"I think pageants like Miss Universe give young women a platform to
follow the field we want, a platform to voice our opinions and make us
stronger,'' the economics graduate told the panel of judges.
Tipped as a favorite early by the local media, Dutta got a standing
ovation from Indian students living in Cyprus.
The pageant was held early Saturday morning in Cyprus, to coincide with
television prime time in the United States.
Dutta said she would work with medical charities with particular
emphasis on AIDS education among women.
"The majority of
women in my country are illiterate and uneducated so we have to start
there to educate them. That is what I will do with India and progress to
the rest of the world.''
Miss Venezuela, Claudia Moreno, was first runner up and Miss Spain,
Helen Lindes, second runner up.
The venue was a basketball stadium decorated to resemble an ancient
Greek amphitheater.
As delegates paraded to mock-pagan rituals recalling Aphrodite, the
ancient Greek goddess of beauty, said by legend have been born from the
sea off the Cypriot coast, Greek Orthodox priests held an all-night vigil
in a nearby church.
Shame on the pageant which shoots women down to the bottomless pits
of hell,'' said a leaflet circulated during mass attended by some 50
parishioners, many elderly.
A heavy police presence kept a close eye on protesters carrying banners
and shouting slogans complaining about the bill Cyprus will foot for the
pageant, some 4.5 million pounds ($7 million).
"We want schools and hospitals,'' said one banner.
"I'm a teacher and we have to beg for handouts and we are wasting
money here on this pageant. Why?'' demanded one woman dressed in rags and
carrying black bin bags. "I'm Miss Universe,'' she joked.
