Billed as the “first step on their journey to the international stage,” the Miss BC 2009 pageant attracts beautiful, civic-minded young women from all over the province of British Columbia.

This year, remarkably, half of the 31 finalists competing in the three-day pageant in pastoral Fort Langley are of Asian/South Asian extraction.

Event organizer Darren Storsley says that while this ethnic drift may not be proportionately representative of B.C.'s population, and may even shock folks who consider the highlighted cultures much too conservative to thrust their young women into the pageant spotlight, he is not at all surprised to see so many ethnic faces among the bevvy of beauties who will be competing at this weekend's three-day event.

“Every year there are quite a large number of young women who represent those cultures,” says Storsley, a P.E., French and Psychology teacher at Langley Fine Arts School, and 2004's Mr. Canada.

“Canada does not take it quite as seriously, but pageants in these cultures are extremely important. It's the equivalent to our Super Bowl in some of these countries.”

Storsely, who has been coordinating the annual B.C. pageant for nine year now, says many South Asian and Asian young women – in fact all of the contestants – see the Miss BC pageant as a stepping stone to a more meaningful life and future career, as well as the necessary prerequisite to the Miss Canada and Miss World contests.

“We have a lot of girls coming from the South Asian community,” he says. “It really depends on the girl and their family and what they think modern pageants represent.

“I can tell you, I've always seen their families be so supportive. It's the girls from these ethnic communities that really bring the largest number of supporters out with them. In their cultures, it really comes down to a matter of pride.”

Twenty-two-year-old Diksha Chellaramani, a fourth year electrical engineering student at BCIT, moved to Richmond from New Delhi in 2003.

She is a trained classical singer and banghra dancer, a former India national swimming champion and the past president of the City of Richmond's Youth Advisory Council.

She has volunteered in assisting young girls battling eating disorders and in helping World Vision find sponsors for underprivileged kids. She's also an avid yoga enthusiast.

In short, a young dynamo with a sparkling bright future.

“When I was finishing off my third year with BCIT I realised I didn't have a lot planned for summer,” she says. “I wanted to do something outside of the box so I Googled all the pageants available in B.C.”

Diksha says she was attracted to Courage Production's Miss BC 2009 because of the work the organization has done raising awareness and money for cancer research.

In 2008, the contestants for Miss B.C. raised more than $13,000 for Cops for Cancer. Over the past seven years, they have raised over $34,000 for the cause.

“I recently lost a cousin to cancer . . . we were born and brought up together in India,” she says. “It was important to me to work in a pageant that has done so much for cancer.”

Diksha says it was also important for her to participate in a pageant dedicated to teaching life skills to young Canadian women, along with showing by example the value of giving time and raising funds for charity.

She says she also hopes her participation will encourage other newcomer parents to enroll their daughters in projects that assist in positively shaping their futures.

“This pageant is not based on a glamour quotient,” she explains. “It's not concerned with how tall you are and if you're a Size 2; it's not trashy.

“It's about achievement and confidence . . . it's about being a beautiful woman.”

Diksha says she is encouraged by the number of young ethnic women who are participating in this year's event, which will culminate with the crowning of Miss BC 2009 at Fort Langley's Chief Sepass Theatre Sunday evening.

“Even the Old School dads have come to understand the importance of getting their young women involved in community,” says Diksha. “South Asian families have come a long way. They realize the importance of pageants.”

The young student, who hopes one day to work as an engineer with B.C. Hydro, says it is more important than every for parents to ensure their kids are actively involved in community and civic activities.

“Considering all the gangsters and drugs, South Asian parents can see this now,” she says. “It's something that's changing in our community now. And women today are playing such an important role in society, what better way to get a woman's confidence built up and get her involved in important issues than participating in a pageant?”

Darren Storsely says that while the Miss BC pageant contributes to charity and community, it also enhances the self-esteem and personal development of young women across B.C.

During the three-day event, all contestants receive professional training in public speaking, manners and etiquette, modeling and choreography, as well as self-defence.

“With 31 girls it is an adventure,” he says, laughing. “My psychology background comes in great for Miss BC weekend!”

“But seriously, even if they don't win, they walk away with a lot of confidence and a lot of training. I can guarantee every young woman will come away a better person.”

Diksha Chellaramani says her math teacher mother and accountant father, her younger brother Ady and all of her family and friends will be rooting for her this weekend.

“This is just perfect, everyone is with me in this little affair, we're all in it together,” she says.

And of course, what is a beauty pageant with out the va-voom factor.

“My mother has helped me select an evening gown, a mermaid-style strapless gown,” she says. “It's an orange-coloured gown that does exaggerate my body figure. . . I can't wait for the weekend.”

By Mata Press Service