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The search is on to find the most charming people in the kingdom – the sweethearts of the nation – and at the same time raise funds for a good cause.
Mystery judges are looking for Bahrain’s own version of the ultimate charmer, actor George Clooney, or a big-hearted soul like the late Princess Diana who may be hidden in our midst.
The Indian Ladies Association (ILA) is staging a Laughter and Charm Pageant on November 16 at the Convention Centre Crowne Plaza, Bahrain, in aid of Sneha Recreation Centre for Children with Special Needs.
The selection round will take place on November 10 and ILA president Thanuja Anil is urging men and women, aged 21 and above, of all nationalities, to participate in the charity event by registering for the contest … and for family and friends to urge them to participate if they are too modest to step forward on their own.
“It’s not a beauty contest,” she said. “You see, in our work for the community and interaction with so many good and generous supporters, we are constantly awed by the resourcefulness, talent and pizazz that people living in Bahrain bring to their community work.
“We felt it would be a great idea to gather all these people to the forefront and find out what makes them tick and create a pageant for them to showcase their personality and charm. This is the first time, I believe, that a Charm Pageant has been organised in Bahrain for women and men.
“The aim of the contest is to get the participants to show their talents and perhaps fulfil a ‘charm task’ – something that will require them to tap into their friends’ circle for a good cause and be persuasive enough to get the best results.
“I must confess, women have readily come forward to participate and they understand the fun quotient around it … but the men are holding back. Perhaps they feel this is no ‘Mr Muscular’ contest and it’s not macho enough? I want to appeal to all men to come forward and support this show for us.
“What we really want is community togetherness and a bow to all the men and women of Bahrain who use their considerable talent and drive for so many good causes – for culture, for charity, for community togetherness.”
The 32-year-old centre which is open and free to children is located in Manama and is run by the organisation to help those with special needs acquire skills in functional literacy and self-help, as well as in arts and crafts.
The first round of the charm contest will focus on talent and personality. It will be held on November 10 at Elite Grand in Seef starting at 6.30pm with three unnamed judges selecting around 10 finalists to move onto the second round on November 16.
The talent portion can range from singing and dancing to magic tricks or oratory – basically anything that can be demonstrated on stage.
“Round Two, which is the final round and features different judges, will be a little dressier,” said Thanuja. “We shall have a Contemporary Dress Round which can either be formal or absolutely modern party wear, depending on the participant’s personality. Other than this round, we have the Talent Round and the Charm Round.
“There will be no more than 10 finalists or even fewer, depending on the number and quality of the participants.”
A nine-strong committee has been busy organising the annual fundraiser and have offered a few suggestions on how to win over the charm judges.
“People often confuse the quality of being charming with being brittle and without depth,” explained Thanuja. “That’s not correct! Charm is about empathy with others, it’s about getting to know and genuinely understanding others, which make us care and be good listeners. It’s also about taking ourselves lightly and taking others’ needs seriously.
“What makes a person charming is the ability to be inclusive, to be a leader whom people want to emulate and follow and to have a sparkling personality.”
It’s worked for the likes of Clooney as he is known in Hollywood as being honest, loyal, compassionate, humble, dedicated and, most of all, charming.
For those considering the challenge, author Jeff Haden advises people to always make eye contact, remember names, be interested in others and never forget to smile or express emotions well and accurately. He also suggests not caring about winning or losing, admitting your flaws or even looking silly. Basically, take everything in your stride and stay cool.
It costs just BD10 to enter and registration should be dropped off by Friday. There will be hamper prizes for the winners. Aside from the contest, the dinner will include a rib-tickling session with popular stand-up comedienne Anu Menon flying in from India to entertain guests.
“Each year, we have the task of trying to raise at least BD15,000 to run Sneha,” said Thanuja. “You may ask: ‘why do you stage these events instead of soliciting funds from corporate donors?’ The answer, the connection we have with the community means we need to give every person a chance to be a stakeholder in Sneha. ‘You may not give us BD100 but you can buy a ticket for BD25 and join the show’.
“We plan our fundraisers in such a way that the bulk of the money raised goes towards managing the centre. It is our way of thanking the community and welcoming their participation in running it.”
The non-profit organisation first opened its heart to special needs children in 1987 with four members and has flourished ever since. Now the centre assists 20 youngsters and their special needs range from autism to cerebral palsy.
“Our specially trained teachers and volunteers work selflessly to not only teach these children basic life skills and independence but also provide supporting amenities such as regular dental and medical checks, speech therapy sessions, school uniforms, transport and so on,” added Thanuja. “It’s a full package.
“The kind of love and joy that these children give us all has to be experienced to be understood. They are full of innocence and courage, willing to meet all of life’s challenges. We want to ensure that the funds to run this centre will always be available – that’s the main focus of the Sneha Fundraiser.”
For more details call 39214041 or 36310050 or email ilabahrain@gmail.com
