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
