First Ever Transgender Miss India Crowned

Winner of the Miss India Transgender pageant Karina Shalini (C) from Mumbai celebrates with runner ups Romi (L) from Manipur and Padmini (R) of Tamil Nadu. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2009/12/21/2009-12-21_india_hosts_first_.html#ixzz0aMRnOeQL

The first ever Miss India Transgender Pageant was held in Chennai on December 19, 2009.

The pageant saw some 120 contestants between the ages of 20 to 35 participate, representing different states such as Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. About 800 transgender community members and representatives from across the country attended to ensure its success.

While Mumbai model Karina Shaline, 25, bagged the crown, second place went to Thokcho Rockyson Romi, 23, a beautician from Manipur and third place to Padmini, a dance instructor from Coimbatore, Tamilnadu.

In addition to the grand prize, awards were handed out recognizing Miss Beautiful Hair, Miss Beautiful Eyes and Miss Beautiful Skin, the news agency reported.

Kareena, a 25-year-old model from Mumbai, snagged the contest’s top honor. Romi, a 23-year-old beautician from Manipur, came in second. Third place went to Padmini, 25, a dance instructor — and hometown favorite.

“We had a meeting of the transgender community some months ago where we discussed various events to bring community members into society,” A.J. Hariharan, a founding member of the advocacy group.

Hariharan added, “Everyone unanimously supported the idea of a national-level beauty pageant” after debating, and punting, several other proposals, including a sporting event.

“We thought it would create an opportunity for the transgender community to showcase their skills [and] create a platform to address the problems they face — discrimination, marginalization and misconception,” Hariharan said.

Miss India Transgender was organised by the Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO), an NGO that is focussed on the prevention of HIV and AIDS. The ICWO works with various target groups like gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders, female sex workers and the children of sex workers. The event was also supported by TANSACS, UNAIDS and ACTIONAID.