India on the islands | Countrymen cure queen’s homesickness

Reigning Miss World Manushi Chhillar was treated to Indian food and given a welcome by her countrymen on Monday night at A Taste of India Restaurant in Road Town.

The British Virgin Islands is among several stops Chhillar and other beauties are making across the globe as part of the Miss World Beauty With A Purpose tour. They are visiting the hurricane-battered BVI to assist with recovery.

Chhillar admits that country-hopping has made her homesick but her visit to the BVI has provided the perfect cure.

“I feel much better. Now I feel like I am home,” she said, adding that she was grateful for the gesture.

“When I came, I saw people I never saw before but they felt familiar, like family … like home.”

“Thank you so much for doing this for me,” she said while giving an address at the event.

The delicious smell of Indian cuisine and the merry sounds of Indian music was a fitting backdrop for close to 70 Indians dressed in their native wear at the event.

Opportunity to treat 

Operations Manager at the Indian restaurant Noumi Persaud told BVI News that more than $4,000 was spent to host the event.

She said it was a price happily paid.

“It was an opportunity to treat the beauty queens and Miss World and give them a welcome because I am Indian, also,” he said.

He added: “We feel happy to see them here.”