Dear Editor,
After reading the article captioned ‘Sari intrigue’ in ‘The Scene’ (SN November 1, 2008) I was motivated to share my views with the public. That article highlights that there are too many pageants in this under-populated country. It went on to say, “The numbers hardly speak for quality, though you may think that after so many attempts somebody would get it right. The Sari Pageant 2008 almost did it but almost doesn’t count.” Indeed the promoters of this pageant had an opportunity to get it right; however, sad to say they allowed that opportunity to slip through their fingers.
The recently concluded sari pageant was in my opinion one with no calibre. As such I regret having participated in it. As delegate number one, I would like to utilize every opportunity to implore young ladies not to enter future pageants. I am appalled that the return of a pageant that was appreciated by so many Guyanese was met with so much disenchantment and condemnation. Moreover, the events that unfolded on the night of the 25th speak for themselves. It’s no secret that what was supposed to be a grand celebration of the return of the Miss Sari Pageant ended with shouts of disapproval from the audience. For mysterious reasons the judges deliberated for more than one hour and when finally the results came in the crowd went hysterical.
While many may be of the opinion the judges’ decision is final, it was a complete disgrace and not only an insult to my intelligence, but to the public at large. On reviewing the tapes, it is clear that there were judges who did not give the appearance of impartiality, because they applauded certain contestants. More importantly, the public needs to be told the reason why the judges deliberated for over one hour. To my mind after viewing each contestant’s performance the judges should have scored immediately in the various categories after which the end result would simply be the tallying of scores; I am sure the calculator is a very simple instrument to use. While the judges are people of integrity, I would like to know what their experience was to judge a sari pageant, which I was told upon entering was solely focused on the ability to display the pallu of a sari.
I stand to be corrected but if I recall clearly, the introduction segment was focused on each contestant’s ability to tell the audience and the judges who is, for example, Ramona Arjune. That segment was intended to inform everyone about each contestant: their name, age, where they lived, what they did and so forth. Had I been informed that my introduction should have included a definition of Diwali and even my opinion on the controversy as it related to the name of the pageant, perhaps I too would have gotten applause from the judges.
The lack of professionalism during the weeks leading up to the pageant was flabbergasting.
Contestants were not sponsored days before pageant night which resulted in one contestant being sponsored at the very last minute by an overseas company. Perhaps someone can explain to me the interest an overseas company has in Guyana as it relates to promoting the company’s interest, which is done via sponsorship of a contestant.
The sashing ceremony hosted by the committee at the Pegasus defeated its purpose. The delegates sashed themselves! A cocktail party was organized in order that the contestants could meet and interact with their sponsors. To the disappointment of many of the contestants, many sponsors did not show up. One of the reasons given for this was the controversy over the name of the pageant. If the sponsors were deterred from coming to that event for the given reason, then why get involved at all? If sponsors have taken a bold step to sponsor a particular contestant, why not come forward and meet the delegate on whom your finances would be spent? After all it is a competition and I would like to think that any sponsor would like to meet the delegate whom he thinks can win the competition. Like other contestants, I have never met my sponsor.
While to some this may seem trivial, it’s just another example of a playing field which is not level. I was delegate number one, not by choice. While everyone was given a fair opportunity to select a delegate number, I was told that I was number one. I was later made aware by three other contestants that another contestant subsequently selected delegate number one but was not comfortable with it, and was allowed to select again. In my absence delegate number one was left for me. Accepting the delegate number I took the stage and delivered to my supporters much to their satisfaction. Like the general public, I too was very shocked by the results.
I would like to reiterate that one of my reasons for entering this pageant was that I viewed it as providing a unique platform for cultural expression − particularly that aspect of Indian culture represented by the Indian garment preferred by most women across the sub-continent, the sari.
The pageant could have been one which provided an opportunity to showcase and promote Indian culture at a higher level. Instead it proved to be nothing but an insult to my intelligence – a pageant with no organization and standard.
On that note, I conclude by saying that what could have been the revival of a pageant that was appreciated by so many Guyanese was allowed to be tainted, and now leaves the door open for much more criticism. I would like to take this opportunity to be one of the many to say that I will not support any future pageant run by that particular committee. Who is to say that next year will be any different, if not worse? Young ladies with potential, I implore you to be cautious when making any decision to enter pageants of this nature.
Yours faithfully,
Ramona Arjune
Delegate Number One
I totally agree with you Ramona !!
I do hope that we get a response from the committee members now.
Why don’t you and Miss Arjune organize next year sari pageant!!!!
I beg to add that the lack of calibre was evident with the quality of the Mistresses of Ceremonies.
We have far too qualified personalities( Michella Abraham, Wanita Huburn, Margaret Lawrence, Seegobing, Rocky Carew-just to name a few) to allow the basic function of enticing the crowd to go wayside by MCs whose focus, I believe, was more on promoting themselves rather than the pageant.
I support your call, “for he who knows it, feels it”. I think it is only fair that SN gives the trainers/Organisers/Promoters of this pageant an audience to clear the air on the rambilings. Generally speaking many of these so called promoters lack integrity in promoting pageants and the contestants are usually made the scapegoats, while they fill their pockets, & promote themselves, and acheive their own narrow objective.
who say it ain’t got kaliba
who say it ain’t got kaliba
you ain’t see it got 3 kaliab – vital statistics!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Hacket:
I am an avid reader of your letters, on Child abuse etc. I do not fully comprehend what u mean by 3 Kaiab-Vital statis….Please simplify. Thanks!
They need to wear a lot more saris, Guyana colors of red, green yellow,white, black (never seen a black sari) to call it a sari pagent.
I guess it because in such cultures black and white colors signifies a death or something mournful. Its not like the normal pageant where a white or black dress looks absolutely gorgeous
In the old times widowers were only allowed to wear white (4 life)
But apart from the comments you have made, Ramona Arjune (Delegate Number One), I suppose it went well.
How ’bout you say something positive about that Pagent. ANYTHING.
After all that i highlighted, you still suppose it went well? WOW!! You sure know how to turn a blind eye to the real issues!!
even though i think the pageant was probably a bad idea to begin with i think you are being a sore loser, a person only discovers himself/herself after loosing.
there is no way you can assure me that you delivered much to the crowds satisfaction that’s just your opinion i say count your looses and get over it you made a mistake move on with it and stop making an issue of out an issue that is no longer relevant.
how many times have we seen or hear about young ladies being mistreated or displeased after a pageant but still you flock to be used and to be unappreciated
as satish pointed out why not say something positive that you came away with from the pageant and spare us the details.
My first question to you- were you at the National Park on the night of the pageant? From your comment its obvious that you were not present, hence its not my “opinion” that i preformed to the crowd’s satisfaction, the crowd spoke for it self! Further, its apparent that you do not keep in touch with your daily newspapers, i therefore recommend you to an article published by the Stabroek News dated the 1st November captioned “sari intrigue” also see the Guynana Chronicle dated 3rd November and the kaieteur News article the day after the pageant; you might learn a thing or two.
Secondly, the word is “losses”not “LOOSES” make sure your words are used in the right context! To assure you and the few like yourself i made no mistake and i am not making an issue out of an issue that is not relevant, its sad to see that we live in a society where the truth cannot prevail. If you had the skill to understand the gist of my letter you would have realized that it was aimed at highlighting the defects of the committee and not an expression of any hard feeling that i was not crowned that night, for unlike you and many others having a crown placed on my head or the keys to a car in my hand does not define a loser or was in this case a winner. Many of you use the term sore loser so loosely, its really sad. You must understand that i am displeased at the lack of professionalism which yourself and Satish seem not to care about. If you have taken on the task to host a pageant i would like to think that you should be concerned enough to ensure that it is done with very high standards, clearly not the case with the National Diwali Committee! I participated in the pageant, had dealings with individuals with of the committee on a daily basis so i know what i am alluding to, unlike you!
Something positive that i came away with from the pageant,hmmmm, well i have learnt that things are not always as they seem, and that when we task ourself with certain responsibilties we should ensure that things get done in the most professional manner and not in an ad hoc manner! The pageant was not a platform to showcase how unprofessional we can be, it provided a platform for cultural expression!!
To, add its your opinion that a person only discovers himself after loosing!! Can’t someone also discover himself after winning? FYI, i discovered myself a long time a go i don’t need to participate in a pageant for that.
MXQBH is correct.
Pagents is about .. Bust, Waist and Hip.
It’s a meat market folks. That’s what it always is and will be.
Some peolle get pretty far with with it..for example, look at Sarah Palin.
I agree with Romona. The pagent was poorly organised, poorly executed (it took ages to start and had too many poor musical performances that took away from the mood of the entire show) and it was definitely poorly judged. The winner and first runner up were both undeserving of the titles. I do not know Romona, but having been there must say her performance was indeed much better than both. She is intitled to her opinion and I can understand if she felt disenfranchised. Most of all if that show is suppose to be a reflection of “good event management” then organisers need to go back to the drawing board without hesitation!!!
They do not have to go back to the drawing board Kelli — They just have to do it a little better next year.
All we need to do in life is to make small improvements day by day and that is all that is required for progress.
As another blogger has remarked, the sari pageant is a non-issue. Guyana has other pressing matters to worry about.
Ramona Arjune..you lost..get on with your life now…I was there the nite sweetie..you lost fair and square!! The queen deserved to win..
Only now that you’ve lost, you realised the comittee was unprofessional? what a joke? WHo do you expect to tak eyou seriously?? LMAO!!!!
DID YOU HEAR THAT Ramona Arjune, YOU LOST FAIR AND SQUARE SWEETIE.
NOW GET USED TO IT.