It's that time of the year again. Time to raise the curtain for these beautiful, talented, determined women. Let's meet the 30 finalists of the Pond's Femina Miss India Contest 2004. Come on; take a look and pick your winners!

Aarti
Age: 20

Beauty is a state of mind for her. Besides college, she loves music, reading and expanding her circle of friends. This dedicated and devoted gal believes in making her dreams come true.

Carole
Age: 22

Kick-boxing, pilates, and field hockey - quite an outdoors girl, this one! Interested in the intricacies of the human body, she aims to be a neurology surgeon.

Chesz
Age: 22

A fashion design student at NIFT, she is a carefree soul who loves her independence. Blessed with a strong attitude and an interesting face, she believes beauty is "absurd".

Deepal
Age: 19

An arts student with an eye on the filmi scene, she wants to take up acting and directing movies. For now, her focus is on the Contest and to live life to the fullest.

Ekta
Age: 22

A model and anchor, she's no stranger to the camera. All optimism and smiles, she plans to win this Contest because she believes she's "worth it".

Himani
Age: 21

Progressive, independent and curious about the world she lives in, becoming a successful model is just one thing on her agenda. She wants to travel extensively and meet interesting people.

Jyoti J
Age: 23

Her love for aviation is eternal as she is armed with two courses in engineering, one in aircraft maintenance and the other in automobiles! With editorial ads, corporate films and music videos under her belt, Jyoti plans to venture into films now.

Jyoti B
Age: 23

Her greatest achievement would be to see a proud smile on her mother's face. Outdoor sports, music and reading are her passions. An introvert by nature, Jyoti admires all the little things in life.

Kanika
Age: 19

A self-confessed romantic, she wants to be a fashion designer and a model. A good sport, she says even if she doesn't win the crown, it'll be worth the experience.

Lakshmi
Age: 22

She has worked with names like Hemant Trevedi, Prasad Bidappa and Lubna Adam. A few international shows adorn her cap too. An optimist and a music-lover, Lakshmi adores books and pencil drawings.

Mihika
Age: 19

A creative mindset and a will to be the best - that sums up this outgoing, confident first-year arts student who believes that beauty is a combination of mind and soul.

Megha
Age: 21

Fun and optimistic - that's how she describes herself. She's set her sights on the crown and a successful career. She loves travelling, listening to music and diving.

Mugdha
Age: 22

This commerce graduate is a known face in print ads, TV commercials and music videos. She plans to continue modeling and enter the world of acting soon. Other than music and dance, she loves travelling and swimming.

Radhika
Age: 21

Young and raring to go - that's how this journalist describes herself. She wishes to work in an international broadcasting firm someday. For now, she's all charged up for the Contest.

Romil
Age: 21

A journalist by profession, she hopes this Contest will be a revelation to her about her attributes.A complete outdoors girl, she is a sports enthusiast and loves to read.

Rupalee
Age: 22

An athletic enthusiast, she believes that anything that brings a smile to your face is beautiful. This fun-loving psychology graduate plans to pursue a management degree and dreams of becoming a top model.

Sahiba
Age: 22

This fun-loving and outspoken girl works as an executive assistant to the CEO of a company after finishing a course in executive administration. Her interests lie in travelling and knowing about various cultures of the world.

Sarayu
Age: 21

This soon-to-be arts graduate is a shopaholic! She started modelling about a year-and-a-half ago and aims to walk into 'filmdom' soon. She loves reading and working out too.

Sayali
Age: 20

This athlete and management graduate wants to be the perfect blend of a workingwoman and a homemaker. From MTV Style Check to music videos, she has done it all. Her interests lie in reading and adventure sports!

Sharmilee
Age: 21

Armed with a course in people management for the hospitality sector, this health foodie wants to open a health food chain of restaurants. Apart from becoming a successful model, that is.

Shivalika
Age: 21

She's done her Masters in Computer Application and loves reading, writing poems and outdoor sports, especially basketball and table tennis. She feels beauty is a reflection of inner happiness.

Shrutha
Age: 22

A designer-in-the-making from NIFT, Shrutha thrives on travelling, painting, Ikebana and horse riding. She's a friendly soul who has done numerous press campaigns and plans to study design abroad.

Simran
Age: 19

Hardworking, confident and god-fearing, that's what this gal is all about. This arts and literature-lover wants to help the sexually abused and hopes to write a book some day.

Sunaina
Age: 22

This Mass Communication graduate is working towards leading the modelling fraternity! Avid reading, yoga and martial arts dominate her life too. She considers this Contest as the best platform she could ever have to the hall of fame.

Tanushree
Age: 20

She is a stage-performer and a classical singer. Tanushree plans to open a restaurant and be a leading media personality. She describes herself as an energetic soul, in control of her life.

Vanessa
Age: 20

This beauty aims to be a designer and a supermodel. From athletics to philately, she nurtures all interests equally. Vanessa feels that winning this Contest would be her greatest achievement in life.

Merita
Age: 23

A post-graduate in creative advertising and already a successful model, she aims to steal the show behind and in front of the camera. Her aim? To be a perfect woman! She hopes the Contest will help her achieve that.

Donna
Age: 21

Art, drumming, business and designing, that's what she loves! With numerous facets, this political science-graduate feels that she would walk away with oodles of training and knowledge even if she doesn't win the Contest.

Neelemma
Age: 22

An independent soul, she wants to set up her own business soon. A national level athlete, she hopes this Contest will help her reach greater heights in whatever path she chooses.