Adline Mewis Quadros Castelino is an Indian beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Diva Universe 2020. She represented India at Miss Universe 2020, and was the third runner-up.
Early life and education
Castelino was born in Kuwait City to Alphonse and Meera Castellino. Her family is from Udyavara in Udupi, Karnataka.[2] Castelino attended the Indian Central School in Kuwait.[3] At the age of fifteen, she returned to India and moved to Mumbai, where she attended St. Xavier's High School.[4] Castelino later attended Wilson College, where she graduated with a degree in business administration.[5] She is fluent in English and Hindi, besides her mother tongue Konkani.[6]
Pageantry
Castelino had participated in an online pageant in 2018.[7] She continued her training for pageants through the Cocoaberry Training Academy in Mumbai, where in 2019 she was crowned Miss Cocoaberry Diva.[8]
In 2019, Castelino entered Miss Diva 2020, through the Chennai auditions, and was shortlisted as a city finalist. In the final round of selections in Mumbai, she was placed in the top 20.[9][10] During the contest's sports round held in Bennett University, she won the Miss Smasher award, for her performance in badminton.[11] On 22 February 2020, she was crowned as Miss Diva Universe 2020 by the outgoing titleholder Vartika Singh at Yash Raj Studio, Andheri, Mumbai.[12]
During the competition's final question and answer round, the top 5 contestants were each asked a question by the host, Malaika Arora: "Does religion unite or divide people?" to which Castelino answered:
Religion definitely unites people. It has values that bring people together. People believing in the same things come together and stay in harmony, but what divides us, is us. Humans divide each other. Religion doesn't divide anyone. When I first came here from Kuwait, I really loved the fact that in India, all religions coexist in harmony. We celebrate Diwali, Christmas, Eid all together and what a beautiful scene that is, that we can stay together and respect each other's beliefs. We can progress with each other and forward to the future.[13][14]
As the winner of Miss Diva 2020, Castelino represented India at the Miss Universe 2020 competition at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida, in the United States.[15][16][17] During the grand finale event held on 16 May 2021, she initially made it to the Top 21, and subsequently she was selected as one of the top 10 semifinalists.[18] Castelino further placed in the top 5, thus becoming the first Indian woman to reach the top 5 of Miss Universe since the year 2001.[19]
As one of the finalists at the contest, Castelino was asked by one of the judges, Tatyana Orozco - "Should countries lockdown due to COVID-19 despite the strain on their economies or should they open their borders and risk a potential increase in infection rates?" Castelino answered:
Coming from India and witnessing what the country is experiencing right now, I have realised something very important. Nothing is more important than the health of your loved ones, and you have to draw a balance between economy and health. That can be done only when the government works with the people hand in hand, and produce something that will work with the economy.[20]
At the end of the event, Castelino was the third runner up, with Andrea Meza of Mexico winning the title.[21][22][23][24] This was India's highest placement in Miss Universe since Lara Dutta won the title of Miss Universe 2000.[25] Castelino broke the 20-year drought of India's non placement in the Top 5 of Miss Universe, which was previously achieved by Celina Jaitley, who was the 4th runner-up in 2001.[26]
Philanthropy
Castelino works with a welfare organisation called ‘Vikas Sahayog Pratishthan’ (VSP) which functions to provide a sustainable livelihood for farmers, so as to curb farmers' suicides and inequality.[27][28] She has raised money for the Child Help Foundation (CHF), through a crowd funding platform called Ketto.[29] She has often advocated on spreading more awareness about the acceptance of LGBT community.[30][31] She also advocates to encourage leadership qualities in women by conducting leadership programmes.[32]
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she helped in providing essentials like food supplies, sanitizers and face masks for Desire Society, a non-profit voluntary organization that cares for children infected with HIV in India.[citation needed] At Christmas the same year, she went as a Secret Santa to distribute gifts and spent time with the children supported by the society.[33] She was able to raise and donate food grains and pulses, amongst other staples to the organization.[33] During this visit, she said, "The first time I came to know about the Desire Society was when I was in college. I used visit here as a student to help out as a volunteer."[33]
She supported Smile Train's campaign to end the Social stigma associated with COVID-19.[34] She also initiated fundraisers for the Akshaya Patra Foundation, to help provide meals and packed grocery kits to the marginalized and low-income segment of the society, comprising daily wage workers, migrant laborers, people at old age homes and night shelters.[35] Castelino, supporting this cause, said - "The spread of coronavirus has taken a lot from us, but let this pandemic not take away our humanity and ability to understand the needs of our brethren."[35]
In August 2020, she associated with a campaign to spread awareness about polycystic ovary syndrome.[36] She promoted a drive titled 'PCOS Free India' to help women reverse the condition naturally through holistic wellness practices.[37]
She organized fundraisers in 2021, for Agricultural Resource Centers. This aimed to supply agricultural equipment and train Women's Self-Help Groups.[38]
