The 54th edition of the Femina Miss India pageant is here and in its 2017 edition, the pageant introduces major changes in the format. The change in the format promises better results in terms of finalists as well as an organised pageant. But, one key change that the organisation has introduced this year is the introduction of mentors for each zone – North, South, East and West.

Let us brief you about the new format of Femina Miss India 2017. The organisation will be touring across 30 states which would be further segregated into two categories, State Auditions and State Crowning in Each Zone. State auditions will be a one day event at the fbb store of all the states. The contestants shortlisted form the auditions will be advanced to the next level. The 30 states of the country will be segregated in 4 zones. Each zone will further have a crowning ceremony, and the zonal winner will then directly advance to Mumbai for the final audition.

The 4 mentors for the 4 zones would take the lead and guide the aspiring Miss India finalists through their respective state auditions & pageants! This will be a great boost up for the finalists, as they will get a head start for the pageant with the help of mentors. The experiences of the mentors and guidance will be of great help for the girls. Let’s meet the mentors –

Miss India 2017 South Zone mentor is Parvathy Omanakuttan. Parvathy was the first runner up at the Miss World 2008 pageant. She was also awarded the title of Miss World Asia & Oceania and was placed second in the Top Model sub contest at the Miss World 2008 competition. During the Femina Miss India 2008 pageant, the diva won three Special Awards - Miss Photogenic, Miss Personality, and Miss Beautiful Hair. "I am very confident about the girls from the South Zone, they are going to surely take your breath away! Be the best or else we are surely going to take the crown," says Parvathy.

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Miss India 2017 East Zone mentor is Dipannita Sharma. Dipannita won the title of Miss India in the year 1998. The stunner won Miss Photogenic in a sub contest during the Miss India pageant. She has also worked in few Bollywood movies (Indian cinema). "I am sure that the East Zone girls are going to do great and are going to have a lot of fun during their journey in Miss India as I am quite fun to work with. We will have the best contenders who are going to sweep the rest off their feet," says Dipannita.

Miss India 2017 West Zone mentor is Waluscha de Sousa. Waluscha de Sousa was a finalist at the Miss India 2008 and won the Special Award of “Miss Body Beautiful”. Waluscha has worked for various TV commercials, and also made her Bollywood debut in the year 2016. Talking about her zone, Waluscha says, she is excited to mentor the girls from the West zone and wants the girls from her zone to have fun, learn and be a part of this amazing journey which will be treasured for a lifetime.

Miss India 2017 North Zone mentor is Neha Dhupia. A fashionista, a former Miss India, an actress, a talk show host; she has donned many hats over the period of time and proved her prowess in everything that she does. Neha Dhupia has been selected to mentor the finalists of the North Zone.

We are sure the contestants this year are going to get groomed really well with such amazing mentors. Also with so many changes, we are excited for this year’s Miss India contest. What about you?

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