Earth currents

When recession was high and professionals retrenched apprehending their lay off,this MBA qualified professional put down his papers to shift for what he calls his obsession. Moving to the city early this year,training for a couple of months and bagging the Mr India Earth title at the Mr India international 2009,for Mann Sukhija,the switch and the timing were just too appropriate.

Trained at The Tiara with pageant trainer Ritika Ramtri Sukhija was in the city celebrating the success. Having worked with Centre of Monitoring Indian Economy for around four years in Indore and a Video Jockey with Bhaskar Television Sukhija specially moved for the foundation to the city “I have been training with her since February with lots of mock pageants and I knew the intricacies of it so the contest went off pretty swiftly. However it took me a couple of months to convince each one of them individually at home before moving. With over twenty-five contestants,everyone there had a good physique and looks and this took a backseat,what mattered then was the awareness and intellect. I also laid special focus on Medley,which I performed at the talent round since dancing is a passion,in addition to the fitness regime and other aspects,” he adds.

Sharing some of the experiences Sukhija recounts,“We were rigorously trained within five days during the contest from eight in the morning to 12 in the night. I remember how some of the contestants would be embarrassed during the swimsuit round due to lack of familiarity and preparation,which I was well versed with. Also my being in the corporate world gave an added advantage.”

Currently based in Mumbai Sukhija is preparing for the international pageant,Mr Earth scheduled in October with a auxiliary dream as he adds,“Models are considered bad actors but I would do the requisite to buff up my acting skills and the Hindi film industry id definitely the aim. The international contest would be much more superior since we will all be winners there,competing again. It is a responsibility of representing India and I am training hard for it.”