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In
the hush that followed the Miss India contest, most of the country had
quite forgotten about the upcoming Miss Universe competition, to be
held on May 21, in Manila, the Philippines. Unlike the Miss India
contest, this one was not advertised as a 'live' broadcast. Then, the
thunder struck. The news broke loose. All wires activated. India had
won! A leggy Delhi belle with the most compelling personality, towered
over 76 other beauties in the most viewed and talked-about
international pageant. It was our very own 'Gandhi and khadi' girl,
Sushmita Sen! A story that had to be.
It is
not everyday that an 18-year-old fuels the international news machine:
tabloids, news agencies, broadsheets, and multinational networks. It is
not everyday that naivety is seamlessly married to a profoundly
philosophical personality. It is hardly ever that an intelligent,
articulate young woman; is equally expressive in the mute, very
physical world of modeling. Hardly an adult, yet making a very adult
living (now, tax free!). A child, who speaks of downtrodden children. A
girl, who waxes hauntingly eloquent on the essence of womanhood. A
person reared in the cocoon of cantonment life, in a middle-class
suburb of Delhi, now showered with attention of global proportions. An
ambassador of feminine beauty, peace, love, and optimism, at an age
most kids are worried about getting a driving-license and a drinking
permit. That's Sushmita Sen. That's Miss Universe, 1994. Representative
of a nation of some 900 million people. Now, representative of
humanity's higher aspirations: charity, love, and bringing happiness to
the unfortunate.
Life, at its best, is unpredictable.
It doesn't promise you anything, it doesn't take you by the hand, or
show you all your destinations. For some, life just doesn't have any
revelations. For others, it is a mellow tide, with occasional tidal
waves. For Sushmita, life in its entirety, is obviously an unending
ride upon the storm. It is apparent when you watch the post-Miss India
interviews. The girl (between peals of warm laughter) revealed that
when her father refused to let her go to the disco, she wrote a poem.
Not surprisingly, it dwelled on the significance of "moments", moments
which "pass like mice, don't let them pass you by." Youth is wasted on
the young, goes a saying that stands corrected when confronted with
Sen. For Sen has all the physical advantages of youth, and the wisdom
associated with years of experience: The youngest among the 77
contestants at the Miss Universe pageant, she was yet the least
predictable. Each round of questions met with soulful, reflective
replies. Unlike Miss Venezuela, whose smiles got a bit profuse, and
Miss Colombia, whose signature concern with pregnant, unwed mothers
became repetitive, Sen's controlled; philosophical words carried a
seductive resonance.
Take that poetic temperament
(obviously inherited from her maternal grandfather, who was a poet) and
fuse it with hardcore ambition and practicality, and what can you
expect, but a winner? According to Ramesh Menon, a freelance journalist
and friend of Sen, the young lady knew she had to make an impact at
first opportunity. She thought over many ways to introduce herself in
the introductory national costume parade, and then hit on: "Namaste, I
am Sushmita Sen from India, where love is the essence of life!" Her'
instincts couldn't have been sharper. The very first round of questions
tackled her on what she meant by her announcement. Pat came her answer.
India was multi-racial (her word, "multi-national' was absurd, but she
was quick to support it by the phrase 'in the sense that'), it was a
Goliath of a country; with 168 languages, no less. That we live in a
state of relative harmony, is an indication that this is a nation of
love. The shocking confidence in her categorical, positive assertion,
had everyone charmed, if not convinced. Somehow with a few lines, she
had--momentarily-obviated Kashmir, Assam, religious fundamentalism, and
other bleak facts of Indian life. It was just as elegant as her, suave
statement at the 'Femina Miss. India contest, that as far as she knew,
'the textile tradition of India began with khadi and Gandhi!
Sen
is intelligent, but it is an intelligence as yet untainted by realism.
Before all this happened, hers was yet a gossamer world, tipped between
the cradle and the crown. Creative rather than literal, poetic rather
than pedantic, it is these very qualities that endeared her to the
viewers and judges. Take, for example, the manner in which she answered
a most prosaic question. What sort of adventure would she undertake,
had she the time and the money? "I believe that adventure is within
myself and I would look for adventure in any child not. only a
downtrodden child; but any child." A question so geographical, so
tangible, was turned by Sen into a key to a profound insight!.
And
of course, Sen didn't disappoint in that hair-splitting, fortuitous
final round. What is the essence of a woman? Pause. A pause that
showed, again, a fine degree of self-control and self-confidence. Sen
was not going to take this round lightly. This was the purgatorial
stage of the contest. Heaven or oblivion lay on either side. When she
devoted the last month of her stay in Bombay, exclusively again, to
prepare for the pageant, she was well warned by Sathya Saram, editor of
Femina that there must be no compromise. A little slackness, defeat,
and she would return to the country with no honors, no fans, no
reception. Sen had seen how past Miss Indias, namely Madhu Sapre and
Namrata Shirodkar missed the glory by just a few words. A few mistaken,
weak syllables.
"Just being a woman is God's gift" Sen's
husky voice broke over 600 million television viewers, and an
auditorium containing some 20,000 odd people. Then came spontaneous
inspiration: "The origin of a child is a mother, a woman. Woman is
sharing she shows a man what sharing, caring, and loving is all about.
That is the essence of a woman."
So what made her answer so
full? So elemental? Structure. It was clinched, like the lyrics of a
song. It was confident in its minimalism. Couched in a gentle voice
which conveyed. tremendous conviction. What Sen said, somehow sounded
like an old proverb, sifted from the myths and wisdom of an ancient
civilization.
It is hard to believe that a girl could appear
to be so accomplished with so fundamental an education socially, or
academically. Then she is a Scorpio and Lord knows one can't take them
for granted. Her schooling predominantly in the Air Force Golden
Jubilee Institute, seems to have stood her in more than good stead. In
so many ways, the little Titan or Titu (her pet name) is just like any
other urbane Indian kid. She loves beer, spaghetti bolognaise, movies,
like Roja, Pretty Woman, Overboard, books like My Feudal Lord (by
Tehmina Durrani), and behold, STAR TV soaps like Santa Barbara and The
Bold and the Beautiful! She freaks on ghazals, country music, soul,
adores her dog Peps, loves holidaying in Goa, and thinks of Kishore
Kumar and Raj Kapoor with nostalgia. She is deeply disturbed by begging
children, and when asked about her attitude towards life, claims that
"I made up my mind to walk up the stairs rather than take the lift."
It
is obvious that the English Honors student wanted more than just a
degree and some dingy job as a journalist. Observes Ramesh Menon: "I
first met Sush after her class ten board finals. Over the next two
years, she was armed with a portfolio that did not bring her much work.
She had but a sprinkling of fashion shows. Then, soon after Miss India
'93 was crowned, Sush seemed to know what she wanted. She had another
portfolio done, and by this time, had completed her class twelve, She
wasn't very inclined to attend regular college. What better pastime
than modeling? For all her simplicity, she loved the glitter and
glamour, and the money that came with it!"
The transformation
from girl-next-door to supergirl was gradual Sen was now pitching to be
the best in the business. She got an audition with Shantanu Sheorey
last September. Though the results were fabulous, he did not need her.
During this time, Menon recalls, "Sush was a very demanding,
possessive, yet loving and caring friend. She needed attention all the
time. And she sought lots of love from her friends. But she could also
be very strong, adamant, and give a damn as to what the world at large
felt."
At an inaugural party of the AIPA workshop on
Photography in Delhi in October, she stunned quite a few lensmen with
her cool demeanour and sense of humour. "You've got to introduce me to
the Bombay guys," she told Menon. Time flew as Sen continued to plough
opportunities in Delhi, for the big break. And that's when the forms
for Miss India '94 appeared. Case closed!
"She has an uncanny
gift of persuasion," reflects '93 Miss Universe runner-up, Namrata
Shirodkar, "After she won the Miss India title, and took up
professional modelling, I saw her arriving late for a couple of shows.
She was still new; a bit disorganised with dates. I took her aside,
asked her to be careful But even then, I observed how easily she
handled people. She cooled tempers with great tact and was so
convincing."
"If questioned about something wrong she had
done, she'd very wittily make you see her point of view. Very quick on
the uptake; she would use her intelligence to sail through any
situation," beams her father, Mr. Sen, a retired Air Force commander.
Says Ramma Bans, her fitness instructor, who supervised Sen's yoga and
weight-lifting routine: "For someone so young, she never gave the
impression of being carried away. There were days when you marvelled at
her lack of privacy; the number of commitments she had. But she
remained simple, very down-to-earth."
Says Kaushik Ghosh, who
runs a modelling school in Delhi, and met Sen at an audition for a
fashion show. "I could see that she had the height and the confidence
to make it, but lacked the polish of a model, and needed some training
with her walk and posing. In December '92, she participated in the
first show of her life, at Siri Fort Auditorium, Delhi, and then in my
show in January 93. At that time, some well-known models wanted to
stage a walk-out because they felt that Sen was too new. But I was
adamant. She constantly questioned me about her shortcomings, so she
could better herself. She never bitched about anybody, even if the
models and choreographers gave her a rough time. Hers is a real
Cinderella story. I'm proud that she made it."
"I want to
see you in the 10 finalists," was what Sen's wardrobe designer,
Sangeeta Chopra told her. Chopra's pet phrase, "she's no bimbo-beauty"
is illumined when you hear her say, "Sush has a vibrant personality.
She is self-assured, but in a pleasant way. I sensed her nervousness
when she left. But I knew she believed in herself. She was thrilled
about having won a token title, "Luckiest Contestant." But I told her
I'd only be satisfied with the crown!"
Recalls Sathya Saran,
"Once, after winning her Miss India title, she was flying back to Delhi
on completion of a shoot in Bombay. I asked her to help herself, call
up the airlines and book her own ticket. When she called, she had to
identify herself. The moment she said Sushmita Sen, the airlines told
her not to worry, they'd find a seat for her even if they were full up.
She couldn't believe she was so well-known. I told her, of course, you
are known. You're a national celebrity!"
This earthy
rootedness is just what impressed fashion columnist Meher Castelino. "A
lot of successful models, when contacted for an interview, are
obliging, but abrupt. Sushmita was so warm, I felt like I had known her
for years. She was totally punctual, had all her photos in place, so I
could choose from them." Castelino also marvels at Sen's verbal
virtuosity. "I've watched her in several interviews, and noticed that
she keeps her mind very cool, uncluttered. She either pauses, or
repeats the question. That is a clever way of gaining two to five
seconds, to sort out your ideas. She never had her foot in her mouth.
"There
are reports claiming that Sen practised pat replies to questions with a
Karaoke microphone, getting voice projection, intonations,
pronunciations; correct. Reveals her boyfriend, Rajat Tara, an export
merchandiser with Benetton, "She worked hard at preparing herself.
She'd say 'C'mon! Ask me questions, and I'd sportingly start off: 'Miss
Sen, what would you do if you were to...!* She always had answers!"
Words
never fail a poet, do they? Apparently Sen was loved even at work,
where she could keep up a constant patter, between striking those
professional poses. She was acquainted with sher-o-shayaris, and even
ventured into a duel with actor Shatrugan Sinha once, just after
they'were'introduced before a TV recording!
Probe a little
deeper, and you see other forerunning factors that have helped Sushmita
Sen become such a confident, articulate teenager. Her mother always
treated her as an adult. Said she, in a recent published interview:
"Sushmita was never a problem child. At a young age, she was stubborn,
not arrogant. What she wanted, she wanted. She was a very social (sic)
child, maybe because I took her wherever I went. From a kitty party to
any ladies club function. She has lots of friends and her birthday
parties were always a grand, much-awaited event."
It is
obvious that mother and daughter shared a strong relationship. Sen
claims that the influence on her career is her "mom." In her heyday,
Mrs. Sen who is, even today, more glamorous than her daughter, was
offered the Bombay Dyeing campaign, but turned it down and got married.
She always told her daughter, "Either you will zoom up in life or
you'll go down into the dumps," She had enough confidence in her
growing daughter to tell her what was good and bad, and allow her to
choose. Before Sen left for the Miss India contest, mother and daughter
talked for several days. Mrs. Sen warned her at the airport, that there
is such a thing as an 'upset', too, and encouraged her to keep her
equilibrium, to be natural, and be herself. The next morning, the
papers had declared her daughter to be Miss India, 1994
Sen's
father has also contributed to her remarkable personality. "What I gave
her and my son (who is 13 and in school), right from the beginning, was
freedom to express themselves in whatever way they wanted, but within
certain parameters, And I think that is what stood them in good'
stead." Added to this liberalism, was the constant change of setting
for the growing Sen. Born in Hyderabad, her family was posted in
Nagpur, then Jorhat, and finally in Delhi, where she attended the Air
Force Silver School, over the last decade, In one televised interview,
Sen had mused over the pluses and minuses of cantonment life," Being
part of the 'camp' kept you isolated from outside realities. "But you
also meet people who are genuine, who know you well, and encourage you
sincerely." The doctrine of-discipline, Sen learnt to respect from
her father. A man who, today, is fending for space between the 40 to 50
presswallahs after him because he fathered this year's Miss Universe!
Anyway, what better time to reflect on this wondergirl? "I recall a
time when Sushmita was just seven. She had slipped from a slide and cut
her head, The gash was deep, we rushed to the hospitaL There, the
doctor asked her to choose whether she wanted to be stitched up while
conscious, or unconscious, with anaesthesia. What is anaesthesia' she
asked tbe doctor. He asked her if she could bear the pain of being
stitched without it... 'Do you think I can?' she counter-questioned the
doctor. He told her if she was brave, she could. And she made her
decision. No anesthesia. The girl was silent through out the procedure.
It was only when she bid the doctor goodbye, and leaned against me in
the car, that she admitted to the pain.
"You know, as a kid,
she'd never really study hard, but listen to her mother or me read out
her lessons. Then, she'd repeat the whole lesson verbatim. If I
questioned her, about whether she had understood what she said, she'd
say I'll just show you,' and go to her room. There, she'd write the
gist of it in the form of a poem. She was always doing that.
"I
remember, once we were all watching a Miss Universe contest, when she
was 15. Her comment was, 'You know papa, I don't think many of these
girls come across as really beautiful, except maybe one or two.' I
remember teasing her that if she was interested in beauty contests, she
should participate in the Air Force Club Contest, and she turned around
and told me, I'll aim right for the ultimate!'"
But even
ex-Wing Commander, daddy Sen, couldn't believe just how much potential
this little girl had. "It hasn't sunk in yet," he repeats, hours after
the mega event. "I'm still trying to grapple with the reality. I've
been getting so many phone calls from people whom I don't even know. In
fact, I didn't see the contest live. When I got a call from my brother
in L.A. that Sushmita had won the Miss Universe crown, I couldn't quite
believe it. The implications have still not sunk in, I can only say
that she has done me proud"
If her father feels fulfilled,
her grandpa must be credited with almost prophesying what lay ahead.
Soon after her Miss India triumph, he wrote her a note straight from
the heart: My dear Titu Sona, one crowded hour of glorious life is
worth an age without a name, You've become a national celebrity
overnight as the most beautiful girl in the country. The glory you have
attained as Miss India has taken us all your parents, and all dear and
near ones, by storm. We are still feeling submerged in a floodside of
ecstasy and excitement. You have justifiably deserved God's Grace in
this unique endeavour and achievement. Your title Miss India 1994 will
be a golden passport for universal applause, admiration and
recognition." That last bit challenged the dim line that separated
Sen's present from her future. Within the space of five months (between
the two contests), Sen's life was completely overhauled!
Sushmita
Sen declared on Surabhi that beauty contests are actually personality
contests. All her well-wishers reminded her that her personality was
her USP. The microphone was as crucial a tool of communication, as her
appearance on the camera. Just as Sen understood that a model
communicates largely with the eyes, without speech, she realised what
kind of impact she would have to create as candidate for a world
ambassador.
She was aware of her lack of conventional beauty.
She once said, in an interview, "I know I am not beautiful. To me,
Madhuri Dixit is beautiful. I am nothing." One newspaper described her
as having "eyebrows upon which you could rewrite the first chapter of
Pride and Prejudice." Before leaving, she confessed to counting on more
than just the exteriors. "Intelligence, poise, wit, all of these count
a lot in international contests."
Exactly the qualities Rajat
Tara, Sen's boyfriend, assured her made her special. He was a pillar,
of emotional support, throughout ' her climb, and is now, too. "To be
very honest; I always thought Sush had potential. She always had ample
confidence and a wonderful way of putting forward her thoughts. When
she was in Manila, I used to speak to her almost every day,. telling
her 'You're going to crack it.' She is a very sensitive, loving,
emotional, fun,.down-to-earth kind of person. She knows where she's
going.
"She called me up the day she won, and her feelings
were exactly what came through in her pictures, splashed in the
newspapers. She was numb, blank, and extremely thrilled. She could
hardly speak because of a bad throat; due to making so many speeches!."
He feels no pangs of insecurity, now that his girlfriend has
became a superstar, "When she became Miss India, I was told by my
friends that it would be tough on me. But nothing changed. Sushmita had
no airs, and was still very caring." He points out that she loves
children, and often stopped on the road to talk to a little boy or
girl. Marriage is definitely on the cards, but it can wait: According
to Menon, Sen said marriage was a good eight to ten years away. And
everybody understands.
"She's got a little of everything,"
analyses Sathya Saran. "She's got the height. She's got the spirit that
lights her up; which compensates for her lack of classical beauty."
Fashion choreographer, Lubna Adams, points out that her poise and grace
seem effortlessly consistent. "On stage, she is very aware of her
audience's moods: She has incredible presence of mind."
The
consistent confidence intrigues almost everyone, considering that
circumstances during both the contests hardly fed it. In the Miss India
contest, the exotic, light-eyed Aishwarya Rai had the support of
millions of TV viewers, who had a powerful glimpse of her "Hi, I am
Sanjana" role in the Pepsi campaign. Then again, at the Miss Universe
contest, anchorpersons Arthel Neville and Angela Visser, gushed over
the Miss Belgiums, the Miss Venezuelas, and Miss Colombias. Neither the
Indian press, nor the Phillipino press, made much of a fuss about Sen,
prior to her victories.
In fact, there are still debates on
whether Aishwarya Rai would also have taken the crown, had she been
sent for the Miss Universe pageant. Sharbari Dhole maintains that when
Sushmita started doing photo-sessions with blue contact lenses, it was
a desperate bid to borrow Aishwarya's charm. Dhole also scoffs at Sen's
body: "Do you call that a figure?" But supporters of Sen are quick to
refute the charges. Says Rasna Behl, fashion show producer, "Contact
lenses are a trend across the board. All the actresses are wearing
them. Now, even male models and actors use them!" As for Sen's scrawny
build, Sangeeta Chopra has only nice things to say. "She has no flaws
that need hiding. No fat thighs, or hips, or hunch. All she needed was
to work on her biceps, triceps, and pectorals, and gain a kilo, which
she did before she left!"
Says Prabhuddha Dgsgupta, acdaimed
photographer, who was on the panel of judges for the Miss India
contest: "What appeals is her poise and honesty, which came through
even in the Miss India contest, while other contestants like Aishwarya
came across as too smart and too prepared to win. Sushmita came across
as herself, and said what she felt. In fact; I feel she has a very
well-rounded personality for her age."
Harbans Mody, who shot
her for her first portfolio, and then again after she became Miss
India, testifies to her character: "There was no change in her at all.
No airs, nothing. She had her head firmly on her shoulders. And she
didn't charge a paisa. That's the real Sushmita."
At the
press conference held subsequent to the Miss India contest, it was easy
to see that of the two, Sen was far more at ease with herself. Rai
arrived half an hour late, in a tight black stocking dress, more suited
to a night event, with a full regalia of make-up on. Sen was on time,
wore a modest suit-dress, had hardly any make-up on, and plonked
herself comfortably next to the journos.
"Aishwarya is
definitely prettier," says Sen's acquaintance, and designer, Ashley
Rebello. "But at some point, she got over confident," he condudes,
somewhat finally. With all due credit to Ms. Sushmita Sen's oratorial
talents and natural poise, one can't help pulling back from the
nitty-gritties to take a wide-angled look at the current dynamics
behind beauty contests. Is there a pattern of political correctness in
the decision of who makes it to the finalists, from a group of 77
contenders? Are stereotypes of international beauty dominated by the
Anglo Saxon, Caucasian blonde hair and blue eyes, being challenged?
In
the summer of '88, the Miss Universe pageant was held in Taiwan, a
newly recognised power-economy. All the three winners that year were
from the Far East. Miss Universe was Miss Nakhirunkanok (Miss
Thailand), and the runners-up were from Japan and Korea. It was not
difficult to relate this to the fact that Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore,
Korea, and Thailand were emerging as strong economies.
So
also, India has suddenly dawned on the powers-that-be; as the 'Waking
Elephant', the largest democracy, the largest free market economy. The
Miss Indias over the last four years have been placing in the final
ten, and many opine that it was just a matter of time before one took
the crown.
Recalls Namrata Shirodkar, who ranked fourth
runner-up last year: "Four US judges told me they had done their best
to help me win. They were very sorry that I didn't." So also, she
points out, the venue of the contest makes a difference. When she went
to the Phillipines, for the Miss Asia-Pacific, contest, she felt a lot
of support from the Phillipinos in the audience. "Of course the pageant
is politically correct," laughs Ashley Rebello. "I won't be surprised
if the next Miss Universe is from Bosnia!"
But optimism
reigns. Rasna Behl maintains that there is a general upsurge of
interest in Indian girls, in the world of international fashion.
"Indian looks are very versatile. An Indian model can wear an ethnic
ensemble just as naturally as a western creation, There is a tremendous
demand for Indian models in the Gulf; they find their dark hair, dark
eyes, very exotic: In London, there are agencies that deal only with
Asian models." Sathya Saran believes that any Miss Universe candidate
from a Third World country is more informed, than a First World
candidate. "This is because the former are upwardly mobile, they
educate themselves about their own country and the dominant cultures,
making them better cultural ambassadors."
Sen's designer,
Sangeeta Chopra, was careful to pack her an integral wardrobe, the,
25-odd outfits containing traces of both ethnic wear, and western wear
"Sushmita was wrongly advised to 'carry all traditional clothes, or to
carry ultra-mod, glamorous clothes. Neither one accurately represents
today's Indian woman."
Sure, the images of Sen in her
angavastram, resplendent in gold and copper, or her black and white
pinafore cocktail dress, or the glittering silver white evening gown
(the most lingering, for obvious reasons), have etched themselves in
the memories of millions of young Indian women, who can now dare to
dream of an international title.
Sushmita Sen is living
history, as the first Indian Miss Universe in the 43-odd years of the
pageant's existence, The first Indian to'"be assured of millions of
dollars in her vanity bag, super-prestigious promotional contracts, a
total of $250,000 worth of.cash, gifts and prizes. (Which includes a
dazzling diamond brooch studded with one hundred diamonds on 18 kt gold
and platinum, a Hammerman original, valued at US $20,000. A luxury
apartment in Los Angeles, Califomia, USA. A swanky sportscar of the
latest international model. A 32-carat diamond jewellery collection
consisting of matching earrings, bracelet, and ring made especially for
Miss Universe!) Sen is also the first Indian to "give up the reality of
being an Indian for the next one year, to become a citizen of the
world." Probably one of the first Indian teenagers ever known to be in
a position to work on issues like needy children, poverty, politics and
feminism.
It will be hard work. Constant chaperoning to
banquets, dinners, fund-raisers, and diplomatic dos. No proximity to
friends, boyfriend, family. Will the trimmings of glory intoxicate the
18-year-old idealist? One who was content to sit with quill and paper,
jotting whimsical denotations of casual inspiration? Will she, like
Reita Faria, Miss World in '66, settle overseas forever and abandon the
country for glamrous opportunity? Probably not. The ardent support she
showed for Gandhi, her nationalistic responses to congratulations, and
her closeness to her family, all veto these possibilities. The girl
seems to have brought national glory with her very birthday, which
coincides with Indira Gandhi's. She was crowned on the death
anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, a man whose prime vision was seeing the
youth consolidate a ever! new India. And if she but looks around her,
she will notice that India is acquiring a new status. The prime
minister's reception in the joint house of Parliament, in Washington,
led to unprecedented coverage in the western media. The London Times
called India a "proud but thin-skinned nation." The US Forbes magazine
(May '94) declared India "the biggest emerging market of all." The New
York Titnes, The Washington Times, and The Los Angeles Times also
featured lengthy analyses of India's economic reforms. Zoom in to the
Cannes Film Festival, and one sees a similar sensitivity tolndia. Three
films from the subcontinent have been featured in the main sections,
for the first time in a decade!
Yes, Sushmita Sen,
you've done it. Same say you'll join a top American university, mould
your remarkable mental resources, and join the. U.N. Others say you'll
gravitate to Hollywood, or haute pastures. Whatever it is you do,
please remain Indian. As proud and thin-skinned as they come!
