Be yourself, do not pretend to be someone else in a beauty pageant.

That’s very good advice from Nanise Rainima, our Miss World contestant, who has helped lifted our profile in the international arena.

She has reached levels that no other Fijian contestant has reached. She has set a benchmark for future Miss World Fiji contestants.

There seems to be a perception that the pageant is all about looks. The competition looks at beauty in a holistic way taking in the various qualities of a person.

Ms Rainima refers to it as inner beauty.               

Perhaps one of the best references to beauty was made by Irish author Margaret Wolfe Hungerford (nee Hamilton) who penned the famous idiom “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” in her novel, Molly Bawn, in 1878. It means literally that the perception of beauty is subjective.

Famous English author and playwright William Shakespeare, who expressed similar sentiments earlier in Love’s Labours Lost (1588), said “Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye, not utter’d by base sale of chapmen’s tongues.”

Fiji Pageant director Andhy Blake, who was present during the pageant, said Fiji should be proud of MsRainima’s achievement.

He said people would come up to him and talk about her humility, her beautiful spirit and concern for people. She had an impact with people around her.

Her inner beauty shone through her countenance and people noticed that glow.

She was a great ambassador for Fiji. One of her defining moments was when she jumped into the swimming pool to help Miss Kenya who was struggling. She said she did not even have to think twice to do it. It was instinct. It was her nature.

Ms Rainima has done her country proud.

Parents’ role crucial in educating children

The Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Viam Pillay, says parents play a pivotal role in the education of their children.

He is right. Studies have shown that students who are well supported by their parents generally succeed in school and later on in life. The parents’ role cannot be substituted.

The teachers cannot do it. Community leaders cannot do it. Some children who have fallen through the cracks end up in foster homes which can only do so much.

Even in these homes, some children do well. While the social work of those looking after these children is recognised and appreciated, it is a small percentage compared to the national figures.

We cannot blame the Government. The family-friendly policies of the Government’s education assistance that is available to all children mean there should be no excuse for lack of parental support.

Children who may not be cut out for the academic stream can pursue a career in the technical stream through the technical centres.

But they need their parents’ support and guidance.

Feedback:  losirene.lacanivalu@fijisun.com.fj