New York:In a glittering function organized by the New York-based India Festival Committee, Stacy Issac of Florida was crowned Miss India USA, 2001 recently.

The pageant was presented in co-operation with Air-India, TV Asia and Maaza Beverages. The pageant in its 20th year was held at the Union Country Arts Center, Rahway in New Jersey. Stacy, 19 is in her second year at Florida Atlantic University and wants to pursue a career in pediatrics as she simply adores working with children and truly admires the sincerity and purity of their hearts. Stacy also bagged the Sulekha.com 'Miss. Photogenic' online contest and 'Best talent' contest where she performed a dance number entitled Rhythm Of Life choreographed in the Bharatnatyam style.

As Miss India USA, Stacy won prizes worth over $5000 which includes a round-trip ticket to India on Air-India, $1000 cash and various other prizes. She will also represent the USA at the 11th Miss India Worldwide Pageant to he held in San Jose. California, on March 9, 2002. She will work as Ambassador for higher education for women through Helena Kaushik Women's College in India.

Uzma Enayatulla (Virginia) was declared the first runner-up and Pareeta Mehta (Georgia) second runner up. The two other finalists were Payal Patel (Arizona) and Priya Chokshi (Texas). Amrita Shergill (New York) was "Miss Beautiful Eyes", Jigna Chitallia of New Hampshire "Miss Beautiful Smile" and Anahita Dua of Wisconsin bagged the "Miss Congeniality" award.

A record 32 contestants from 26 states traveled to participate in this year's pageant. "I made more friends this weekend than in my entire life," said Anahita Dua, winner of the Miss Congeniality award. A record number of 32 contestants from 26 states traveled to participate in this year pageant. "I made more friends this weekend than in my entire life," exclaimed Anahita Dua, winner of the "Miss Congeniality" award. The contest commenced with the 32 beauties in a dazzling opening dance number led by Teena Suokhanwala, and Rita Upadhya, the outgoing Miss India USA was welcomed with thunderous applause by over a 1000-strong audience. Ritu also shared her experience as Miss India USA, which included meeting with various celebrities, interview at the prestigious Movers and Shakers by Shekhar Suman and her traveling around the world including two trips each to South Africa and India.

One of the highlights of the pageant was a fashion extravaganza presented by upcoming fashion designer, Feroze. Sudha Sekhar group, Somalee Vyus and Arya International presented other entertainment items for the evening. Another highlight of this year's pageant was the Miss Photogenic contest online sponsored by Sulekha.com where over 1,400 visitors voted for the contest online and selected the winner.

Dharmatma Saran, Chairman and founder of the India Festival Committee, thanked the sponsors and presented appreciation plaques to Yogesh Mathur, Regional Director of Air-India and H.R. Shah, CEO of TV Asia. "I am overwhelmed with the support we have received from the community as always," said Saran, "which allows us to promote Indian values and performing arts among the Indian youth in America." Pooja Kumar, MTV Veejay and former Miss India USA, radio broadcaster Kulraj Anand and TV personality Anil Srivatsa emceed the event.

For more information, please call Sulekha.com's Vineet Pabreja at 512-231-9226 x 834 or visit the website: www.sulekha.com/missindiausa.