When jewelry designer Kazuo Ogawa conceptualized "Wings of Love," he said, "In all cultures and civilizations, birds have always been significant in mythology and philosophy, literature and poetry, dance and music, art and crafts, fashion and jewelry." The third annual "Wings of Love" charity event, held in Tokyo in May, was dedicated to spotlighting the beauty and importance of birds and nature, and to raising funds for their protection and preservation. Sindhura Gadde came from Bombay to be the occasion's special guest. She wears the crown of Miss India 2005.

Sindhura has already accomplished much more than is usually expected of a 20-year-old. She is adamant in saying that beauty is only one element, the most subjective and fugitive, looked for in requirements for Miss India. "It's being healthy too, maintaining discipline, being well informed and able to speak, being comfortable with who you are. It has to be the complete act, the whole packet of your worth to be ambassador for your country." She was one of more than 9,000 entries for the contest, then one of over 100 short-listed for interview. Of these, two were finalists. Now Sindhura will go forward to the Miss World contest in China in December. Sindhura was born in the south of India. She stayed for several years in the care of her grandparents while her father, a mechanical engineer, and her mother lived in New Zealand. After she and her parents reunited in Auckland, Sindhura lived as a teenage New Zealand girl, bringing her dash of vitality and life-affirmation. She took up ice-skating and snowboarding. At school and university, she said, "I really enjoyed the sciences. Though I have a double degree in pharmacology and physiology, I have to go back to finish laboratory work." Whilst she was a student, she became known for her part-time television work.

She was a news reader, a reporter and a presenter. "I did a few different things on camera, like bungee jumping -- New Zealand originated bungee jumping -- and I jumped out of a plane twice," Sindhura said. "I got into show biz and fashion, and have an advanced modeling diploma." When Sindhura heard of the Miss India contest and decided to enter, her sister in Auckland took over her TV programs.

The Indian women's magazine Femina has been behind the Miss India contest since 1964. Sindhura said: "The final judging has a countrywide audience. It was a big thing to be picked, and it was such a boost to my morale when my parents turned up to support me." Now Sindhura travels constantly, and is used to the spotlight following her appearances. Her position leads, she says, to the opening up of many more avenues than the glamour industry.

Even much earlier in her life she had a feeling for charity. The feeling deepened when she became a celebrity. "My own interests were in health and hygiene and children," she said. Now the bright lights shine on her as Miss India, she said, "I hope to have them illuminate good causes." Recently the tragedy of cancer came close to her as a young friend was diagnosed. Later on she intends to use her training to work on the development of drugs to fight the dread disease.

More immediately, Sindhura is associated with the Lions Foundation in Sri Lanka, in measures to rehabilitate the victims of December's tsunamis. "In many areas the devastation would have been less severe if the mangroves and trees along the shores had been better cared for," she said. "We have to understand what we are doing when we fail to protect our natural environment, interfere with it, sicken it and destroy it." She came to Japan eager to be known as a supporter of the "Wings of Love" initiative.

Princess Takamado, honorary president of BirdLife International, heads the movement in Japan to care for birds and their shrinking habitats. Musicians, dancers, designers of jewelry and fashion of both India and Japan supported "Wings of Love," demonstrating understanding of the interdependence of birds and human beings. Miss India carries the message with her: "Birds are the barometers. Deforestation, water pollution and global warming are a few of the environmental issues demanding immediate and universal attention."