Six year old Sayeeda Aafra will represent India at the ‘Top Child Model of the Planet’ (Below age 7 category) event in Georgia in September 2018 to showcase some of the designer products from Odisha. Aafra, along with two other children, is expected to showcase her aptitude for fashion, dancing and interacting with others.
The only daughter of Sayeeda Adaa and Sayed Anis, Aafra won the Little Miss and Master Odisha (International) 2018 titles in July. The contest was hosted by Dlavalentina for the first time in Bhubaneswar.
Seventy participants from 20 districts took part in the auditions. Aafra stood first in the contest and won a ticket to Georgia. A student of Loyola School, Sayeeda Aafra won the hearts of the jury with her stunning performances on the stage.
Her mother Ada said, “It was a tough two day-audition for the kids. There were three rounds – introduction by participants, dance, costume and question-answers. My daughter stood first among the 70 participants in the first round and first in the second round for which 18 were shortlisted.”
“My daughter is stylish, techno-savvy and loves to watch movies on her i-Pad. Although I gave her some tips for the audition, it was her own talent that helped her win the contest and the ticket to Georgia,” she added.
Aafra is learning modern dance. She has also been taking lessons in swimming since she was four. Her father Sayed Anis said, “Performance in the International Children’s Festival will provide her an opportunity to interact with children from other countries. It will help her learn about other cultures and boost her confidence level.”
A fan of Nargis Fakri and Varun Dhawan, Aafra is passionate about ramp shows, which she watches on YouTube. She said, “I heard there are three more new rounds to be performed. During the Bhubaneswar audition, I wore a costume designed like a peacock’s feathers. But I don’t have an idea about the costume for the Georgia event. I am preparing for ramp walk, personality round, and dance. I am busy preparing a portfolio for Georgia which has to reach the organisers before the competition starts. Recently, I met my favourite actor Barsha Priyadarshine who wished me all success for the event next month.”
Aafra wants to be an actor in future. “But before that, I want to be a good person as my parents want me to be. I love painting. So I wish to learn painting after this international competition,” the talented child said.
SOYONG,OP