AN East Renfrewshire mum has scooped a prestigious award after competing in a UK-wide beauty pageant.

Pragya Sinha, 34, was awarded the Mrs Elegance title after a glamorous showing at the Mrs India UK competition in London.

With a settled family and a good job in banking, Pragya entered after seeing an advert for the competition in a newspaper, hoping it would offer her an alternative to the routine of her day-to-day business.

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Despite missing out on the top prize, the Newton Mearns woman said the event has changed her outlook on life.

Pragya added: “It has taken me out of my comfort zone and given me the opportunity to try new things and rediscover myself.

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“I have always been very fashionable but, once you are married and have kids, we just ignore ourselves – lost in family responsibility. This platform helps you focus on yourself. I had misconceptions about beauty pageants. I thought that all you had to do was look good but it is nothing like that.”

Now in its third year, the competition is for Indian married women residing in the UK and aims to celebrate culture, heritage, values and womanhood.

A glitzy awards ceremony at the Hilton Tower Bridge marked the end of a hectic three-month journey for finalists.

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As part of her social initiative for the competition, Pragya worked with women who had experienced domestic violence.

Mrs India UK has also had quite an impact overseas, with newspapers and television stations from across India contacting Pragya and others.

She added: “I want to tell other ladies about my journey so they can have this kind of experience.

“I was a confident person before but this has taken me to another level.”