Sanwaka Surong from Meghalaya, Pema Choden Bhutia from Sikkim, and Danube Kangjam from Manipur were crowned the title winners of 18th Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2021 at the ITA Cultural Complex, Machkhowa, Guwahati yesterday evening.
Having completed 18 glorious years, Mega Miss North East is the biggest beauty pageant of North East India, conceptualised by fashion entrepreneur Abhijit Singha, produced by Mega Entertainment and marketed by Mega Activation.
The contestants travelled to Guwahati for several days of activities including grooming and training sessions conducted by Mega Entertainment, brand photo shoots and activities, followed by rehearsals, leading up to the grand finale of the pageant.
Earlier, Abhijit Singha, Founder of Mega Entertainment, had announced that there would be no runners-up titles in Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2021, and all three winners would be crowned equally as winners of the pageant, with equal prize packages and benefits.
Speaking at the grand finale of the event, he said, “Mega Entertainment is delighted to introduce the three winners of Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2021 – Danube, Sanwaka and Pema. They have struggled their way to the top, managing to beat 47 other contestants. We are so proud and excited to be a part of their incredible journey.”
The youngest and most pampered of five siblings, Sanwaka Surong from Shillong is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Tourism. She says, “I am still unable to believe that I actually won the crown. I feel truly blessed and the feeling is indescribable. I feel so grateful to God – if it was not for Him, and for the love and support of my family and my friends, realising this dream would not have been possible for me.”
21-year-old Sanwaka has lost both her parents, but with the help of her loved ones, she still stands strong. She aims to use her own experience to help other orphans cope with the loss of their loved ones and help them understand that there will always be people to love them and support them.
Sanwaka believes that losing somebody you love should not weaken you, rather it should help you derive strength from the fact that they will always be beside you in spirit and guide you from above. Her vision is to help promote responsible tourist behaviour, so that the pristine nature of a tourist spot is not destroyed with irresponsible littering, overcrowding, and disrespectful behaviour towards local people, their cultures, customs, etc.
20-year-old Pema Choden Bhutia, who hails from Sivik Lingdok, Sikkim, is currently pursuing her B. Tech in Civil Engineering in Bengaluru.
Speaking about her crowning moment, Pema says, “This is a dream come true. Sunsilk Mega Miss North East is a platform that not only gives women an opportunity to be themselves but also helps them to learn and grow. It helps women evolve and develop a vision for their lives.” Pema has a vision to use her title and influence to advocate for education of the underprivileged. She also aims to represent her state in the Miss India pageant.
21-year-old Danube Kangjam from Imphal, who is currently pursuing her law education, was inspired by Mega Miss North East 2015 Jessica Marbaniang, and since then it has been a dream for her to participate in this pageant. She has been preparing for this day all along and says that winning the crown is indeed a dream come true. “This pageant holds a very special place in my heart, and my ambition to come here brought me into the world of pageantry through the state pageant. So, I feel really grateful and happy on winning this crown.” She believes that this title will help her influence the youth and amplify her reach to a wider audience. So, she aims to use her voice to speak out on a variety of social issues that concerns her like cybercrime, LGBT rights, body positivity and self acceptance.
The three winners were bestowed with gifts and vouchers worth approximately Rs 1 lakh from MN Gifting Creation, Fit 7 by MS Dhoni, Raju Reyaz Hair Salon, Sai Infrastructure, Sohum and Personal Accidental Insurance worth Rs 20 Lakhs each from Anant Creation Financial Services. Apart from that, they have also won a professional photo shoot by Prashant Brahma Photography, travel opportunities, professional representations and grooming by Mega Entertainment, and opportunities to participate in different socio-cultural activities across the North East.
Besides, the winners also get the opportunity to walk the ramp in various regional and national shows.
The Top-15 contestants participated in the Evening Gown presentation, where they showcased the creations by top fashion designers and brands like Jansai, Karan Thokchom, Arif Mukhim, and the official designer of Mega Entertainment Dipika Devi.
The judges who sealed the fate of this year’s winner included fashion and lifestyle promoter Monika Devi, advocate Manish Kumar Das, Mega Miss North East 2012 Ibethoi Thokchom, fashion designer Arif Mukhim, and Mega Miss North East 2018 and Femina Miss India Assam Jyotismita Baruah.
