Haflong: Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts
Rewati Chetri’s words may gladden a thousand hearts, but poised on the brink of a Miss India finale, the statuesque 21-year-old from a sleepy little town in Assam is keeping her fingers crossed.
On Saturday, the girl from Haflong in Dima Hasao district will compete with 20 other stunning women from across the country for the beauty pageant crown.
Rewati, who has always nurtured dreams, is hoping to win. “My well-wishers and friends can contribute to my success. I look forward for your blessings in form wechat vote, Facebook like, shares, comments and online vote. Keep your finger crossed, Rewati Chetri is determined make you proud,” she wrote on her Facebook page.
Born to ASEB employee Baburam Chetri and Bina, a homemaker, in 1993, Rewati was brought up in Haflong. She completed her schooling from St Agnes Convent High School in Haflong before completing her graduation in commerce from Lumding College in neighbouring Nagaon district. And she is proud of her roots, as evident from this social media post: “Lumding, the place where I did my graduation. The place where I’ve spent five years of my life. The place which gave me lots of memories. I thank everyone from Lumding from whom I’ve received an enormous amount of support, beautiful words, encouragement and love.”
Rewati is now pursuing a law degree from NEF Law College in Guwahati, 350km from Haflong.
Residents of this picturesque hill town are looking forward to the finale with hope and pride, reported The Telegraph.
Purabi Phonglo, a government official and alumni of St Agnes Convent High School, said, “In spite of being from a small town where such a platform seems far away for most girls, Rewati has achieved her dream of reaching there and is doing well. I feel proud of her and I am sure she will do well. She has already won our hearts.”
“Our district has hit the headlines only for the wrong reason but Rewati is in the news for the right reason. We are proud of her,” Hrishikesh Upadhaya, a social worker, said.
Rewati has also received praise for her poise on the ramp. “One of the best comments I received recently was ‘You walk like a dream’. An amazing catwalk is a must in beauty pageants and for sure it will help me in my future modelling career as well. I do walk like a dream but this wouldn’t have been possible if not for you, Alesia Raut. It’s your guidance that helped me incredibly improve my catwalk skills and for that I am forever grateful,” she says, expressing gratitude to her mentor.
Binodini, a teacher of St Agnes, said, “All the teachers and students of our school are proud that Rewati studied here. We all pray for her success and make our district and our state proud.”
Rewati’s entire family is going to Mumbai to witness the March 28 finale. Her uncle Krishna Chetri said, “As a student, she was very bright and a quick learner, loved participating in cultural activities, cooking and enjoyed eating all types of food. She always dreamt of creating opportunities and bringing positive changes in society. She used to do some modelling too.”
All that will stand her in good stead as she faces the judges this weekend, when the dreams she nurtured seek fulfilment.