Report by Orissadiary correspondent; Bhubaneswar (Odisha): Orissa’s only Beauty Pageant The Navy Queen 2009 was conducted during the Navy Ball 2009 at INS Chilka on 19 December under the ageis of Commodore M V S Kumar, PVSM, Commanding Officer, INS Chilka. The Navy Ball marks the end of the Navy Week Celebrations which are organized to commemorate Navy Day – 4 December, every year. Navy Ball is a prestigious and popular social event graced by the civil and defense personnel.

18 finalists made it to the final of Navy Queen 2009 after a very scrutinizing preliminary rounds conducted at Bhubaneswar during the last few weeks. The event was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Major General J N Yadav, Deputy Commandant, Army Air Defence College, Gopalpur by rolling the Ball in the traditional manner. Gipsita Nayak was crowned the winner of Navy Queen 2009 followed by first runner up Reshma Mohapatra and the second runner up Sauyma Mohapatra.

The Navy Queen Winner was awarded a cash prize of Rs.30,000/-, 1st Runner Up Rs.20,000/- & 2nd Runner Up Rs.10,000/- along with gift hampers from Big Bazaar, Pantaloons, VLCC, Man Mandir & S. Mohanlal. Apart from this, the following titles were also awarded: Miss Talented - Leepika, Miss Beautiful Eyes - Gipsita, Fresh Face - Sauyma, Beautiful Body - Mohini, Miss Spontaneity - Sindhu, Miss Confident - Nandini, Miss Bold - Monalisa, Miss Prefect Figure - Sriyasmita, Miss Photogenic - Manasi, Miss Charming - Susmita, Miss Catwalk - Gayatri, Miss Beautiful Hair - Rachita and Beautiful Skin - Nidhi. The efforts of all participants were also recognized by presenting them with a participation prize each. The cash prizes were sponsored by Mr. Tirupati Panigrahi, Chairman, Hi-Tech Medical College & Hospital & Mr. Navin Kandoi, Managing Director, Purvi Bharat Steels Ltd. The event was sponsored by Pine Cask Beverages & Coca Cola.

Sizzling performances by dance troupe "Adrika" & DJ Mark were hugely applauded by the audience.