AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

        She is a beauty queen, yet her immediate focus is on academics. The charming Samyuktha, who emerged winner in the Fa Miss Chennai 2007 contest recently, is still focused on studies and has set her aims high.

        'I am thrilled to have taken the coveted crown. It has made me more confident. However, I want to pursue my masters in structural engineering,' she said in a chat with News Today.

        A graduate from Hindustan College of Engineering, Samyuktha tried her luck at the pageant organised by VIBA. 'I never thought that I would emerge triumphant,' she added. Thanking the organisers VIBA for helping her prepare mentally and physically to face the challenges of the pageant, Samyuktha said, 'the several grooming sessions including yoga, pranayama, dance and spoken skills helped me a lot personally.' Offers to act in films and modelling assignments have come her way after she was crowned Miss Chennai. On her success, Samyuktha said, 'hardwork and determination are my key qualities. The success will help me face challenges in life with courage.'

        According to Vidya Balakrishnan and Shobha Ravishankar of VIBA, 'the beauty show this year went down well with the masses. We got an unprecedented number of entries. Everyone was talented and it was a tough task narrowing down the number of contestants.' 'Those selected for the final round were trained in various aspects. Everyone put up their best on stage.' The judges for the show included popular film and TV personalities Uma Riyaz, Lakshmi Gopalsamy and Prithviraj and Carnatic singer Anuradha Krishnamurthy.

        The 21-year-old Samyuktha, who in the final round named Jhansi Rani as the historical woman she identified herself with said, 'Not that my combat skills are good but because I consider myself a warrior having fought against odds all my life. Winners never quit and quitters never win.'