Inspired by the concept of SMS-driven popularity contests, Ponds Femina Miss India has come up with the idea of Provogue Miss 8888 Popular Choice Awards, as part of the Femina Miss India 2005 pageant.

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Bennet Coleman and Company, owners of the Times of India group, has announced 23 semi-finalists for the final Miss India 2005 showdown. One of them will win the Popular choice award. The candidates and their details are available at http://miss8888.indiatimes.com.

To vote for a contestant, type PFMI followed by either her first name or her code and send it to 8888. The names and code numbers of the Ponds Femina Miss India 2005 have announced in the newspapaerd as well as put up at http://www.miss8888.indiatimes.com.

The contestant getting maximum most votes will be crowned Provogue Miss 8888. She will also be among the Top Ten finalists at the Pond's Femina Miss India 2005 contest. Also, the number of votes received by each contestant will help decide whether she wins one of the Miss India crowns or not. SMS voting for the the contest has started and will be on till March 25 midnight.

Watch the 23 contestants on Zoom TV on Wednesday, March 16 at 9 pm (repeat on Thursday, March 17 at 6 pm) and on Friday, March 18 at 9 pm (repeat on Saturday, March 19 at 7.30 pm and 11 pm; Sunday, March 20 at 10.30 am and 8 pm).

BY A CORRESPONDENT