18-year-old crowned Miss India Guyana 2019

– Mrs India Guyana, Miss Teen India Guyana also crowned

Eighteen-year-old Rashena Sara Hanif, an aspiring lawyer, was on Sunday evening crowned Miss India Guyana 2019 after she outshone her rivals when the pageant was held the Ramada Princess Hotel. After several hours of elegance, grace and sophistication, the young lady was named the new owner of the title replacing the 2018 queen, Shoshanna Ramdeen.
Coming in as first runner-up was Sandeka A Rampersaud, followed by Katriah Sharona as second runner-up. Also, on the same evening, Kristal Inshan was crowned Mrs India Guyana 2019 and Amisha Sarjoo was given the title of Miss Teen India Guyana 2019.
The crowned queens will now have a change to represent Guyana in India for the international pageant billed for September 3-7.
However, Hanif broke into tears as she was announced the queen by the emcee of the evening, television personality Joel Ghansham. An elated young lady was crowned by the 2018 queen after which she expressed her shock and disbelief that she had won the coveted title; one that was a dream come through.
“I worked hard; I was dedicated, but I knew it could have been anybody, because we all worked so hard,” she said, adding: “The crown could’ve gone to any one of my pageant sisters, so I am so grateful. I want to use this to advocate and make a positive change in my community, and in my country,” she told media operatives.
The young lady who is attached to Frandec Travel Service and resides at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara was dubbed a front runner as she gracefully took the stage during the evening.
“I have always admired pageantry…Growing up, it was more about the glitz and glamour for me. But as I continued to pursue my dream of participating in pageants, I realised that the Miss India Guyana pageant is much more than that,” she noted.
Apart from the grand coronation, three outstanding former Guyanese beauty queens were honoured for their contribution to Indian culture. These include Devi Ramchairtar-Lim (Miss Guyana Sari Queen 2008); Roshini Boodhu-Persaud (Former Miss India Guyana 2011) and Shivanie Latchman-Persaud (Mrs India Guyana 2018).
On the same night, the Reigning Miss India Worldwide, Shree Saini graced the event with a spectacular dance performance. The night was indeed a fabulous one with other dance routines by leading dance groups, including the Ishara Dance Group.