08 February 2016 09:54

BEAUTY WITH BRAINS: Malaysia's Miss Universe calls for racial unity

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Malaysians need to unite in the midst of the country’s economic and political woes, says newly crowned Miss Universe Malaysia Kiran Jassal, who also urges all citizens to play their role by participating in the political and election process of the country.

Kiran, a dentistry student at the International Medical University, acknowledged that the country was facing “problems”, but urged Malaysians not to be disheartened and to soldier on.

“More than ever, we need to stand united and have the mental resilience to face these challenges and emerge stronger from them,” the 20-year-old beauty from Subang said in an exclusive interview with The Malaysian Insider recently.

“Nations all over the world are facing some sort of problems of their own, just like Malaysia. It is very important that we stay focused on objectives to progress further and be a better nation.”

Kiran said getting involved in Miss Universe Malaysia showed her how pageants could bridge gaps and differences, adding that she believed the beauty pageant was a much-needed morale booster for Malaysians who were fatigued from the current negative sentiments.

“I think pageants are similar to sports. In any situation the country is in, it’s always going to boost our morale.

“Beauty pageants are non-political and empowering for women, too, so I think it’s more of that than anything else.”

Kiran said it was important for the youth in the country to be more politically aware of their rights, in order to play a greater role in nation-building.

“As citizens of the country, we should be fully involved in our elections and understand our voting rights,” she said.

Towering at 174cm, Kiran beat out 13 other finalists to be crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2016 last Saturday at the gala finale in Palace of the Golden Horses.

She will go on to represent the country at the Miss Universe pageant later this year where she plans on showing the world Malaysia’s united yet diverse culture.

“We have so many races and religions, not just the three main ones, and I think it’s very important to promote this to put Malaysia on the world map.

“Many people have this misconception that just because there are so many races in Malaysia that we’re not united. But that’s not true.”

An avid reader who is most comfortable at home, being a beauty queen didn’t come easy to Kiran as she was new to the industry.

“When I first started cat-walking, I used to stomp a lot and my knees were so bent. I went home after every camp and walked every day until my feet hurt and I got blisters. But now, it has definitely paid off,” she said of the training all contestants had to go through before the pageant.

After her reign, Kiran said she would continue her studies at IMU and has her sights set on opening her own orthodontic practice.

“On the side, I’d like to keep in touch with this industry probably as a TV host or even as an MC.”

But for now, she has a full year ahead of her to “work really, really hard to make Malaysia proud and hopefully place internationally in Miss Universe”.

She said she hoped to inspire Malaysians to remain hopeful and optimistic about the future.

“Beauty pageants turn a blind eye to race and religion. I’m a minority and I am the first Punjabi to win Miss Universe Malaysia. I think that has got a lot to do with how you carry yourself and confidence, and less to do with race and religion cards.

“From my personal experience, in the pageant, we were all so united. It didn’t matter who was what, we gathered together, we shared insights, we helped one another out.

“I think this could be a very good method to harmonise Malaysia.” – TMI

Full article: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=610743:beauty-with-brains-malaysias-miss-universe-calls-for-racial-unity&Itemid=4#ixzz411aQwl2B 
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