Sheral Chand used an outfit with an environmental theme to walk away with the Best Sarong Award at the 2017 Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North.

The Fiji Sugar Corporation-sponsored contestant said: “The head piece signifies the marine ecosystem, the colourful clothes shows the environment and the attached natural materials shows how they are dying.”

The 22-year-old nurse said the piece was a combination of the environment and culture.

“I value nature and beauty the most,” she said.

Ms Chand said beauty came from within; in the confidence of knowing who you were.

“Every person is different,” she said.

“Flowers make our environment beautiful.

“The sun on my attire turning into orange and the brown leaves shows how they are affected by climate change.

“The sun, trees, ocean and earth needs you and I; and we need them.

“So let us be responsible and look after our environment.”

Pacific Night chief guest Fiji Gas Limited national sales and marketing manager Vanessa Kilner said: “Unfortunately, some of the choices that we make as a society have had negative impact in our environment and our actions have contributed to climate change.
“Ozone layer, flooding, rising sea level, landslides is all because of our choices.
“Let us all make a commitment to make a choice to choose to do the right for the environment and for the people.
“I would like to thank the festival committee for giving our company the opportunity to join this year’s festival.”

Edited by Rusiate Mataika
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