Gita and her husband Srinivas are part of the huge Indian Air Force clan.  Srini is a Wing Commander and has been with the AirForce for the most part of his life and he loves the Defence services.  Gita,  has been literally his ‘ardhangini’ or his better half and is committed to the AirForce like her husband and also the AirForce Wives Welfare Association, which is better known as AFWWA.  They have had many stints at different units and some of the best memories that they have had comes from their stint in Barnala in Punjab.

Barnala was a small town in Punjab those days and the AirForce station was about 30kms from the railway station.  The town had a small population and it comprised of some three or four main roads which made the town.  This was during the time when militants held Punjab at ransom.  The big wheat fields added to the eerieness and no one knew if these fields held militants and one was always worried that these unseen militants would pounce on unsuspecting souls as they travelled on these roads either to the town or the railway station. There was no other source of entertainment and the families inside the station only had each other for support.
 

This particular unit had about 1000 families residing, which included the lesser ranks like the corporals and others.  It was a hot summer day and the unit which otherwise usually buzzed with activity seemed to be in a state of languorous slumber.  To pep his people, the Unit Head decided to host a party.  This was meant only for the Officers.   Well most of the Defence Service people’s ears usually prick up at the very mention of the word ‘party’ and our officers here were no exception.  It was the same with Srini and Gita.  But there was a twist.  The theme of the party was a fashion show and the women had to wear a glamorous outfit and sashay in front of the officers and the Unit Head.

Now Gita was a simple woman.  She wore only salwars and saris and had never worn a pair of jeans forget about wearing glamorous dresses.  Srini made fun of her “ you do not have the courage to wear a glamorous dress forget about taking part in the fashion show.  You are not cut for it”.  That was enough to steel her nerves. 

The Unit Head’s wife or the First Lady called for a meeting.  The motley crowd of 300 women went and the participating women gave in their names.  There were 50 women who had given their names and Gita also submitted her name.  From then it was a roll.  The group decided on the clothes to wear and the whole unit wore a festive look as everyone looked forward to the impending party.  The fashion show and the party were on everyone's lips and anywhere one went it was the topic of conversation.  The party was a week away and preparations were in full swing. 

Every day morning after the men left for work and the children went to school the women would meet at somebody’s place to discuss the show.  The music was decided and the women brought out their clothes for approval.  Gita was to wear a red-wine colored evening gown with a plunging neckline.  She would have baulked seeing the outfit earlier, but after the conversation with Srini, she did not bat an eyelid.  The dress was a friend’s and with the help of the local tailor it was altered to fit her. 

She managed to get a pair of black stilettoes, which added to her height, and she definitely looked beautiful when she left her jet-black poker straight hair loose.  She wore black crystal chandeliers, which dangled, from her ears.  Her dress and the accessories were all okayed by the First Lady.

D-day dawned bright, but there were butterflies in Gita’s stomach.  She was nervous, but managed to sail through the day and before she knew the clock had struck 7.00 PM in the evening and the entire crowd assembled at the backstage.  The women were nervous but they managed to encourage each other.  Finally they heard the master of the ceremonies announcing the much awaited fashion show and the music played and the audience egged even as the women sashayed down the ramp.  Soon it was Gita's turn to walk down the ramp and the first signs of nervousness vanished as she saw familiar faces in the crowd. 

After they sashayed the first round a few women were eliminated.  Fortunately Gita had moved to the second round, which was the talent show round.   Here she knew she would score, for Gita was a classical singer and she sang ‘Boli Re Pappi’ effortlessly and found herself with five other women in the third and final round.

This was the question and answer session.  Questions were posed to all the women and everyone answered.  It was Gita’s turn and the question was ‘Where do you see yourself in the next ten years’?  Without batting an eyelid Gita answered into the mike loud and clear, ‘I see myself as the First Lady and I will be sitting in the very same place as Madam is now and will be judging a Fashion Show’. 

Her honest and straightforward answer made the crowd roar in appreciation.  The winners were announced and there were no second thoughts, Gita had won the title of ‘Beauty Queen’ – Barnala Airforce Station, year 1993. Srini could only grin sheepishly from ear to ear, while Gita hogged the limelight. 

If it had not been for Srini, Gita would have never taken part in the Fashion Show, forget winning the title.  However clichéd it may sound ‘perseverance pays’ and it certainly paid a bounty to Gita.   

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