One would rarely find aspiring doctors in beauty pageants. But this year is different.

Pooja Chitgopekar not only participated in the contest while doing her MBBS, but also won the Miss Earth-Air title.

The 22-year-old model, who is based in New Zealand [Images] and studies in University of Auckland, beat 88 other contestants.

The beauty contest was held at Manila, Philippines, on November 11. 

Last year also saw an Indian winner when Amruta Patki won the title.

In the picture (from left to right): Miss Earth-Water Silvana Santaella Arellano from Venezuela, Miss Earth 2007 Jessica Nicole Trisko from Canada [Images], Miss Earth-Air Pooja Chitgopekar from India, and Miss Earth-Fire Angela Gomez from Spain.

Photograph: Luis Liwanag/ AFP/ Getty Images.