India's dream ends at Miss Universe

Miss India Universe Ekta Chaudhary has failed to make it to the top 15 finalists of the Miss Universe 2009 in Bahamas. With her early exit from the contest the hopes of a billion people back home in India has also crashed. The top 15 finalists who will be contesting for the Miss Universe crown are from Albania, Czech Republic, France, Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Iceland, Kosovo, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, US and Venezuela.

The 15 finalists were selected from 80 contestants who appeared in cocktail dresses and then appeared in swimsuits for the final elimination round. The winner will be crowned by reigning Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela. It has been eight long years since an Indian beauty had won the Miss Universe crown. The last Indian to win the crown was Lara Dutta in 2000 after fellow Bong beauty Sushmita Sen had won in for the first time in 1994.