Five years later, Miss World 1994 still has the world at her feet. At the dawn of the new millennium, things could not be better for Aishwarya Rai.The year 1999 saw Ash emerge as Bollywood's hottest new property with both Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Taal being box-office hits. Her charm also led Longines to sign on this lovely lass as the face of the international watch company. In a no-time frame specified deal. Both nationally and internationally, Ash seems to have emerged as the epitome of the New Age woman.How does she react to this adulation and the tag of `Woman of the Millennium'?"I am not fashioning myself toward being a woman of the millennium. I am just living life. But it does make me smile when I am called a woman of the millennium."What characteristics does she feel define the woman of the millennium?"Women of today are the women of the millennium. I guess I am a woman of a millennium in that respect. Women today understand both their tradition and cultureand also see the potential in themselves."What are her ambitions then for the year 2000?"I am not someone who has any pre-conceived notions. I'm not overly ambitions about life and just hope that next year is a good one. I tend to live each day as it comes and hope that I keep growing as a person."For someone who doesn't plan, life has been too kind to her.Well, she did smile a lot last year. "Wearing the Miss World crown is a heavy cross to bear. And then moving into films was also a challenge. But I am happy that my recent stage shows and film roles have been appreciated. It is nice to know that I have not been forgotten."With India winning the Miss World title, three times in the last five years, there has been a lot of talk about Indian women finally being recognised as having both brains and beauty?"I think Yukta Mookhey bringing back the Miss World title for the third time is a great way for Indian women to start the new year."But is there only a glamourelement to being Miss World?"Of course there is a glamour element. Miss Worlds are seen as glamourous personalities. But you also are an ambassadress, and your voice is heard. So being Miss World is about much more than being a beauty queen."Speaking of which last year, a lot of film personalities were chosen as brand ambassadresses. Why was that?"It is obvious. Known personalities help brands get more media attention."And in the case of Ash that is very true. Longines has received a lot of press coverage thanks to her. But what does her job entail?"Each year I have to make three appearances for the brand and I have to do a photo shoot as well." That sounds like easy work and easy money. Not true, apparently. "The job is not just about ribbon cutting. You have to get well acquainted with the business too. I attended the World Jewellery Clock exhibition in Brazil this year."Sounds like Ash is a well-travelled woman. Would she prefer to live away from India?Notreally, as Ash relates best with Indians. "I like the way Indians have strong cultural and moral roots."But having spent so much time in the artificial world of glamour, she must have found it hard to keep in touch with her roots?"I did grow up quite fast, but then life has become fast for everyone."As a girl of the '90s, does she feel that youngsters of today lead too western a lifestyle?"There has been a change in lifestyles and the media has a lot to do with that." But Ash is not swayed. She will always be an Indian at heart. And the rest of the world can eat its heart out. This Miss World firmly believes that her world lies at home.
