Family members of India's Miss World runner up celebrate her victory

Changacherry (Kerala), Dec 14 (ANI): Family members and relatives of Parvathy Omankuttan, who was adjudged first runner-up in the Miss World 2008 pageant in Johannesburg, celebrated her victory at their ancestral house in Kottayam.

Parvathy's excited family members said they were actually expecting her to win the Miss World crown.

"I am very happy, but disappointed very much, because not only me, every one in the family expected that she will be getting the Miss World crown," said Ashok Kumar, Parvathy's uncle. Julia Morley, the head of the Miss World committee today announced that Russia had won the Miss World 2008.

Miss Trinidad and Tobago Gabrielle Walcott was declared second runner-up. Among the other five finalists were Ms Angola Brigite Santos and Ms South Africa Tansey Coetzee.

Parvathy impressed the jury with her looks and quick wit and was one five finalists out of the 109 contestants at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg. She was finally beaten by Miss Russia. The pageant was broadcast live to over one billion viewers in 187 countries.

Last year's Miss World was China's Zhang Zi Lin.

Originally scheduled for October 4 in Kiev, the pageant was delayed and moved to Johannesburg due to security concerns. (ANI)