Manish /ADITYA- in Mr INDIA contest 2002!! won 4th

Pune: Model and martial arts exponent rolled into one is Manish Raisinghani. At 22, Manish has made his mark in the national modelling arena with the Grasim Mr India 2002 contest where, ''I stood fourth,'' he smiles.

And Manish has enough reason to smile, for he stood first runner-up in three contests - Best Dressed Male, Best Smile and Mr Photogenic. Teeming with confidence, Manish is aiming at, ''A bright future as a model.''

Modelling was a dream that Manish nursed since he saw beauty pageants as a child. ''I always dreamt of being part of such a contest,'' he says, bubbling with enthusiasm. And now that the dream has come true, Manish is looking forward to, ''Taking modelling seriously,'' adding emphatically, ''I think I have started at a perfect time.'' Between working out, college and the numerous modelling assignments that have come his way, Manish intends to balance everything as far as possible. ''That's where the importance of sticking to a schedule comes in.'' And to succeed in this competitive field, the lad says, ''You just have to be a class apart.''

The experience at the Grasim Mr India contest, says Manish happily, ''Was terrific.'' This was the first contest that Manish has participated in.