Nerve Endings Firing Away

“Presenting India’s first ever online beauty contest India’s Hottest College Chick contest! The one of it’s kind all-online beauty contest hunts for the hottest college chick on the campuses nationwide!”

I am not sure what to make of this contest. On one hand, it might be brilliant marketing and a stepping stone for future social networking endevors but on the other hand, the contest organizers are clearly aiming for a specific target audience. It might be a copy of Hot or Not but with a slight twist i.e. a definitive end and a winner at the end of the process, almost like a online Miss College India. As the website says, the process shall be interactive and will equip contestants with tools to promote themselves. The more masala and controversy, the better it might be for the site but not necessarily for the contestants.

Now for the problems, how are they gonna make sure that no fake profile or photograph is submitted? Although they make it clear that nudity will not be allowed, the racier pictures definitely will get more votes as is the case with Hot or Not. Also, given the experience on online message forums and Orkut, Indians are tempted to indulge in mudslinging and venting cheap and crude remarks especially toward women as opposed to offering good natured criticism or opinions. The blogosphere apparently is not a true reflection of the average Indian teenager regarding online activities where the primary concern is downloading pron.

Also, I don’t know if girls will upload pictures of themselves and be subject to judgment by online users especially the deviant kind that we run into in such contests where looks trump everything else. Given India’s traditional and conservative culture, I am not sure if it will generate as many self-submitted entries by girls but then again, I have been away for long and may be completely off the mark.

Although nothing of the above might happen, it is a possibility and I hope the organizers are well aware. Unless this blows up in their face, this contest has potential of generating a buzz. If nothing more, it might be a voyeur’s delight.