New Delhi: Miss India 2003, Nikita Anand is India's highest hope for the coveted Miss Universe crown. She beat 25 fellow contestants to be crowned Femina Miss India-Universe 2003. The gleam in her eyes, the warmth in her voice and the spring in her step… it doesn't take long for one to realise why this 19- year-old won the crown.

But, the newfound fame has not come as a surprise to Nikita's parents. Veenita Anand, Nikita's mother, says it was her daughter's belief in herself and her confidence that lead her to win the title. "I did feel very elated. I knew I was heading for something like this. She was such a confident child. It was when she was 13 that she was told to walk for Miss Ranchi and that was the time I realised, yes she has it in her. And then it went on.

"At 16, she won several crowns in Mumbai's various clubs, then again she won in Delhi's DSOI Club. Few months later she was in the Face Mirage Hunt. She walked away with the title and we were looking forward to the Femina Miss India Contest. We always wanted that and at the age of 19 she walked away with the crown. I think it's her confidence that got her the title," said Veenita.

Nikita did her schooling at Cathedral and John Connon in Mumbai and is currently studying fashion designing at NIFT (national Institute of Fashion Technology) in Delhi. What was it that made Nikita put aside her designing and enter the glamour world? Her father had wanted her to be a doctor like him. "Initially, I did think about that. She was a very good student.

"She had Physics, Maths, Chemistry and Biology and excelled in all of them. But then we had open minds. I did not want to force her to become a doctor. This was one line she chose and went on with it. We have been brought up in a very open atmosphere right from my childhood. In Army, we have a very open and healthy life. I wasn't hesitant in sending her or when she wanted to take part.

"And for the last couples of years she has taken part in many contests and did well," said S S Anand, Nikita's father.

The story does not end here. This Delhi girl is now on another road of success… The Miss Universe contest, which will come to a glitzy finale on June 3. However, for Nikita's parents, the thought of their daughter standing out in a sea, of the most beautiful faces in the universe at the contest, doesn't cause the tiniest wrinkle or worry line. They just leave everything to the Almighty. "Absolute tenterhook, with my hands folded towards Almighty. That's what I can say. If it happens to me, then I will be the happiest person on earth. She is been doing fairly well.

She is one such person who simply takes things on her own and blossoms at the right time. Her ratings on the net have been very good. For the last 10 days she is been ranked in 10's. So lets see how she does. It is a moment of pride for the entire family," said Anand.

When asked about the details of her training for the Miss Universe contest that Nikita underwent, Veenita said, "Lots of preparations. She is very good with her voice, very confident, spoke very well. Her diction is very good. Initially, when she was a baby she joined Balucha's classes in Pune, for speech and diction. I thank Balucha, whose work is showing of lately. She is an intelligent child, she could think for herself, which is very important. Lots of gym, lots of current affairs, lots of thinking took place and lots of shopping," added Nikita's mother.

Nikita is at Panama City all set for the contest. Her bags are full of designer clothes especially designed for her by Ashley Rebello and Ritu Kumar. Kumar, who has been designing national costumes for the Miss India contest, has designed a traditional red and gold lehenga, a national costume to be worn by Nikita at the competition and Ashley has designed an evening gown in natural green colour, with a tiny white leaf on it.

72 contestants from across the globe, including Nikita, will vie for the coveted Miss Universe crown and other fabulous prizes in the beauty pageant. Indian beauties like Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai, Diana Hayden, Yukta Mookhey, Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra have already made the country proud at various international pageants. Now it is Nikita's turn to carry forward the torch of success and bring back fresh laurels for the country. And on her return, like most of her predecessors, Nikita too might take to Bollywood after a few years. All of India wishes her the very best!

ANI