India clinches Miss Asia Pacific 2012 title

New Delhi: Himangini Singh Yadu, who represented India at the Miss Asia Pacific 2012, has won the international title. She is the first one to win the crown in 12 years.

The beauty pageant was held in Busan, South Korea, Saturday. "This is a dream come true! All the hard work, time and effort that my mentors have put in with me has paid off," said Himangini said in a statement. She has been selected by I AM She, a national beauty pageant, started in 2010, which sends its winner to Miss Universe and Miss Asia Pacific pageants. "I am extremely thankful to the entire I AM She team and Sushmita Sen... I couldn`t have done it without them! I am extremely thrilled at making them and India proud," Himangini said. Ever since I AM She came into being, this is the first time their candidate has won an international title and Sushmita, founder of the organisation, is delighted with the victory. "We did it! The entire team is extremely happy and very proud of Himangini for winning the international title... She has so beautifully represented India and won us back that sweet taste of victory," said the former Miss Universe. Model-turned-actress Dia Mirza was the last Indian to win the Miss Asia Pacific title in the year 2000. Himangini Singh Yadu is a BCA graduate from Indore`s International Institute of Professional Studies. She was also crowned Miss Indore in 2006 and has since walked the ramp at various fashion shows. IANS