Founder-director of the Ahmedabad-based training academy Panache, Khushnum Avari (pictured) was crowned Mrs India Mrs Inspiration at the Haut Monde Mrs India Worldwide 2019 competition at Porto Carras Meliton in Neos Marmaras, Greece on 
October 18, 2019. Avari was a participant along with over 170 other finalists from 15 countries, according to a press note from Panache. The businesswoman stated in response to Parsiana’s questions that the entry criteria for the contest are: to be married, and up to 50 years of age. "Hence an 18-year-old married girl can compete with a 50-year-old lady,” she stated. Haut Monde Mrs India Worldwide is a global platform that "empowers married Indian women to showcase their real beauty, exemplary strength and distinctive personality,” states the contest’s social media page.
"It was a lifetime experience and a wonderful journey, which required a lot of hard work, dedication and focus,” stated Avari. The 10-day schedule for the participants included photo shoots and several rounds including swim wear, display of talent and question-answers with judges. "The contestants were judged on their physical appearance, IQ levels, spontaneity, fitness and overall smartness,” Avari noted. The journey started in February 2019 when she won the Gujarat state auditions from a total of 500 participants and was selected as one of the finalists. About 40,000 worldwide contestants had auditioned, Avari wrote. "This was followed by an orientation program of three days in Agra in April,” she explained.
Forty-three-year-old Bombay-born Avari and husband Percy, an executive director in Mazda Limited, are parents to Yohan (18), Yana (15) and Priyaan (five). Her father Hoshedar Basla ran an engineering business in Bombay and mother Zarine is ex-principal of Manekji Cooper School at Juhu.
Earlier this year, Avari received the Times Power Woman of the Year 2019 (see "Women of the times,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, June 21-July 6, 2019), and another award from the Gujarat Government for Panache’s contribution towards generating employment for youth. The Academy trains young adults for careers in the hospitality and travel and tourism industries.