PICTURE OF THE WEEK

"The First Jewel in the Crown"

With Yukta Mookhey's win at Miss World 1999, India now has five jewels in their global beauty crown of the top three international pageants (Miss International, Miss Universe, and Miss World) - four Miss World titles and one Miss Universe title.

The first jewel in the crown was set in 1966, when Reita Faria won the Miss World title. In the photo, we see her as the newly crowned Miss World, giving a victory wave to the audience in London's Lyceum Ballroom, the site of the 1966 pageant.

Unlike Yukta, who was crowned in a shimmering royal blue gown by a top Indian designer, 22 year-old Reita was crowned in a one-shouldered swimsuit. After her win, she told reporters, "This is the first time I have appeared in a swim suit in competition."

At the 1966 pageant, held on Thursday, November 17, 1966, Reita told host Michael Aspell, a BBC announcer, that she was a medical student and intended to become a gynecologist. And that is just what she did.

This year, to coutner criticism of the pageant, Miss World officials used Reita's example - and that of others - to demonstrate the professional accomplishments of past winners and contestants.