BHUBANESWAR: Morning shows the day. This is being proved time and again by Bhubaneswar-born Sayeeda Afra, who was recently crowned as the top child model of the planet 2018 at Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, September 21.
Born to parents Sayeeda Adaa and Sayed Anis, 6-year-old Afra is a genuine child prodigy. She started participating in fashion shows and mastered performing arts like singing from the age of two. She learnt dancing from choreographer Royal Sam through YouTube. Fascinated by her interest in fashion and music shows, her mother made her participate at the Miss and Mr Odisha International in June 2018 conducted by De La Valentina group, which is headed by beauty queen Valentina Mishra.
A student of Loyla School, Bhubaneswar, Afra is brilliant in her academics and extracurricular activities too. However, Afra’s parents couldn’t find any sponsors for her to participate in the Top Child model of the planet initially. This propelled her grandmother to sponsor her at the international event. In the beauty pageant, Afra won the title comfortably by scoring the most points. She was crowned by the top child model of the planet 2017.
Her dress designing and makeup in the finals were done by her mother. Afra wore a costume, which was on the theme of unity in diversity.
Orissa Post interacted with her mentors to know their opinions of her.
Vice Principal, Loyla School, Sister Latika said, “She is an exceptional child with a deep sense of fashion. Afra is very popular in our school. I was very proud of her when I received the news of her achievements. I had gauged her potential in various school activities. She is a distinct asset of our school.”
Beauty pagent judge Valentina Mishra in her interaction with Orissa Post said, “I was truly amazed at the ease with which Afra performed in the auditions. I wasn’t surprised when she was crowned as the top child model of the planet. She learnt swimming and wind surfing when she was two. I congratulate Afra on her excellent win.”