'Get tested for AIDS, it's in fashion Miss Universe to Indians

July 26, 2006

Miss Universe to spread AIDS awareness among Indians

UNI Wednesday, July 26, 2006 16:36 IST

NEW DELHI: Newly-crowned Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Mendoza

of Puerto Rico will work her charm on Indians to spread AIDS

awareness during a visit to the country in October.

'Get tested for AIDS, it's in fashion', will be message of Mendoza,

who will begin her 18-day visit with a ramp show in the capital on

October 23.

" Hours into her reign an excited Zuleyka expressed her keen

desire to visit Asia and spread the message the Miss Universe

Organisation espouses,'' according to Indian-born US fashion

designer Sanjana Jon, who is organising the 12-city tour.

The Miss Universe feels that India is one of the countries that

needs special attention on AIDS awareness, says Jon, who brought

Miss Universe 2005 Glebova to India last year.

" I am also very excited to tour the Universe as part of the causes

attached to the pageant, and I am told I would be going to India in

a few months. I am so keenly looking to come there,'' Jon quoted

Mendoza as saying.

The new Miss Universe, who described her victory as ''surreal'',

says it had been a ''dream run'' for her in the competition.

Joining the Miss Universe in her efforts in India will be Bollywood

actor Salman Khan, NGOs and a group of models and performers from

the US.

The Miss Universe will be visiting New Delhi, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad,

Mumbai, Bangalore, Kochi, Chennai, Goa, Bangalore, Hyderabad,

Kolkatta and Guwahati, says Jon.

'It all begins with being aware of your status. And this is what the

tour propagates through its message: Get tested for AIDS, it's in

fashion','' says Jon, who along with her brother and celebrated

designer Anand Jon are based in Los Angeles.

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