Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 24: Nine-year-old Lipika Shetty was crowned Miss Asia-2017 at one of the world's most prestigious children's beauty contest, the Festival Model & Talent World at Antalya in Turkey held from April 28 to May 6.

Lipika Shetty hails from Kundapur and is the proud daughter off Vittal and Sanchi Shetty, residents of Andheri in Mumbai. Studying in class 4 at Billabong High International School, Mumbai, Lipika has been training under leading Bollywood choreographer Shiamak Davar at his dance academy.

Lipika faced tough competition as she participated with contestants from 20 other nations including Albania, Turkey, USA, Kenya, Portugal, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Ukraine, Romania among others. She came out a clear winner as she outclassed her opponents with her charm.

Speaking to daijiworld, director of Valentina Organisation, Valentina Mishra said, "Auditions were held at various places including Mumbai, Vishakpatnam, Chennai and Bengaluru. We also held online auditions from Hyderabad. Three participants Niveditha Mogaratti, Kashish Mukhiya and Lipika Shetty were shorlisted during the auditions. Lipika made it to the grand finale and emerged as the winner of Miss Asia-2017. Lipika has now gained direct entry to represent India at 'Little Miss Planet' which will be held from June 15 to 22 in Bulgaria."

Festival Model & Talent World is an event held annually to promote cultural and aesthetic education of children and teenagers, to open their best qualities, to show traditions and culture of their countries to look at the world more globally, without political views. The festival gives the chance to delegates from different countries to unite in one family without ethnic borders and creates friendship and mutual understanding atmosphere between delegates and visitors of the festival.