Coimbatore : At least 24 women from five different South Indian states are expected to participate in the 17th edition of the Miss South India beauty contest, to be held here on February three.

The grooming session of the contest, in which there will be three prime rounds such as designer saree, red cocktail and black gown rounds, will begin tomorrow at SAJ Earth Resort and convention centre, Kochi in Kerala.

The session, which is handled by prominent personalities in the modelling sector, aims at imparting knowledge in yoga, meditation, personality development, beauty care, catwalk, photo shoot and talent search among the contestants. This would help the ladies gain confidence, Rotary Coimbatore Texcity Chairman Kuriachan, the organisors told reporters here today.

The event, organised in association with Pegasus Events, is being held to raise funds for the Club’s Community and Service projects, he said.

Eminent personalities from the film and fashion fields will be in the judging panel and the the winner will get Rs.one lakh , the first runner-up Rs 60,000 and Rs.40,000 to second runner up

Apart from the winners, the panel will select regional title winners: Miss Queen Andhra, Miss Queen Karnataka, Miss Queen Kerala, Miss Queen Telangana, Miss Tamil Nadu.

The beauty contest is the first step towards International beauty contest Miss Asia, Pegasus Founder and Chairman Dr. Ajit Ravi said.