Fresh and clear faces

Ayesha Kanga of St Xavier’s College and Khurshed Mogrelia of Jai Hind College were declared all India winners at the finals of the Bombay Times Clean and Clear Fresh Face 2011 contest held on February 24, 2012 at Bandra Fort. The talented teens from Bombay had, on December 27, 2011, emerged Bombay winners in the same contest. Another Zoroastrian lad to emerge victorious as the first runner up in the Bombay contest was Paurush Irani of H. R. College. Actor Imran Khan’s question ("Have you ever worn women’s underwear?”) would have knocked anyone off their feet, but Irani’s answer — "Yes, I have. Try it guys, they’re good for ventilation!” clinched him a place in the top six, reported Bombay Times of December 30, 2011.

Triumphant teens Ayesha Kanga (left) and Khurshed Mogrelia

Six months of auditioning in a field of over 3,000 competitors and performing in over eight cities culminated in the grand finale at Bombay. The Parsi pair sang, danced, acted and walked the ramp to qualify for and ultimately win the contest, as per information available on the Internet.

Kanga told the judges it’s cool to get plastic surgery done, reported Bombay Times. "Everyone’s beautiful from the inside, so what’s wrong if you want to look beautiful outside too?” the 16-year-old maintained. While Mogrelia credits "two Yathas and one Ashem” for his success, Kanga says, "Probably my personality and never-say-die attitude have got me where I am.” She can’t cook, she confesses, but she can play the guitar and the piano. Mogrelia admits, "I love my music. My dad always told me, son music from the heart is as pure as God himself.” He believes that youth must fill their soul with prayers, while Kanga’s mantra is to "just live your best life!” as noted the Jam-e-Jamshed Weekly on March 4, 2012.