Congratulations!

Monthi Serrao receives the winner's trophy from Srichand Arora

Monthi Serrao today lifted the winner’s trophy for Pehchaan Kaun-11, thus bringing the curtains down on this keenly contested guessing game that had kept the Club all charged up for over a fortnight (ref post of January 18). As president of Big Laaf, Srichand Arora presented her with the glittering crystal glass prize amid rousing applause from all present.
In keeping with convention, Fehmida Khan was to receive the supporting trophy (a smaller version of the main prize) as acknowledgment of her support in making the contest a success.
The presentation ceremony was however, not without a dash of drama.

Fehmida Khan receives her trophy

In what turned out to be an impromptu ‘press conference’ of sorts, Dilip Babani led the onslaught, grilling Monthi on how she had got the correct answer when everyone else was wrong. “What did you see in the photograph that made you so sure it was Fehmida’s?” he asked.
“The hair,” replied Monthi. “Hers was not as stiff or curly as Mallika’s?”
“What else did you see?” he asked.
“The lips, forehead, nose…”

Monthi is mobbed by the 'media'

“What else did you see?” he persisted.
“I told you, the hair, nose, ears…”
“You did not see the mangal sutra?” Dilip tried to corner her.
“That is no clue,” Monthi replied with conviction. “Anyone can wear mangal sutra if she wants to. Even I used to wear a mangal sutra when I was young.”
“Unmarried girls, regardless of faith or community, used to wear mangal sutra in the hope of landing a good groom,” Banoo Apa interjected helpfully.
“What about the eyes?”
“Eyes can go wonky-- teda-meda, aagey-peechey… That also is no clue,” Monthi said dismissively, raising another roar of laughter. She refused to take any further questions and turned down a request for a thanksgiving speech. Instead, she treated everyone to hazelnut chocolates her daughter had brought down from the USA.
As usual, Mallika Kagzi wrapped up the day's proceedings with a round of home-brewed tea.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Monthi-ji, you met the challenge with determination and total confidence and won the trophy. Congratulations and best wishes. I take this opportunity to also thank everyone for being part of the contest and making it interesting.