Twenty-five-year-old Canada-based Guyanese Sangeeta Bahadur, was on Friday last crowned Miss India Guyana 2017 when the pageant was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Kingstown, Georgetown.
She outshone nine other beauties to cop the coveted title which ultimately gives her the green light to represent Guyana at the international pageant later in the year in New Jersey, USA in October. The Guyanese beauty was crowned by reigning Miss India Worldwide, Karina Kohli.
While the other nine delegates brought their best to the table with their talent pieces, catwalks and gorgeous cultural and evening wear, Bahadur surprised the judges with an answer to the final question, which was considered unique and genuine by many; including Kohli.
During the final segment, the top five finalists were introduced as aspiring chemist, Ashmini Ramnauth; fitness trainer Cynthia Dookie; aspiring entrepreneur, Sarah Rajkarran; Samantha Chunilall and Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Sangeeta Bahadur.
Prior to the announcement of the top five, the 10 delegates competed in the talent, Indian wear and evening gown segments. However, Bahadur swept the judges off their feet with the answer to the final question, which asked “If you will be winning the crown tonight, what is the first thing you will do?”
In response, Bahadur stated “If I were to win the crown this evening, the very first thing that I would go and do is bow at the feet of my mother, because without her support, her guidance, her love, I would not be the young lady that you see in front of you today, nor would I have the chance to be in front of you competing in the pageant. She is the backbone of my life, my support. I would never be able to accomplish so many things in life without her help, and because of that, I would definitely go and take her blessing and her thanks.”
Bringing the audience to their feet was the moment Bahadur fell at her mother’s feet immediately after she was crowned Miss India Guyana.
Meanwhile, Ashmini Ramnauth, was crowned “First Princess,” followed by Cynthia Dookie as “Second Princess”, Sarah Rajkarran as “Third Princess” and Chunilall as “Fourth Princess”. Aside from the crown, Bahadur also snatched the prizes for “Best Talent” and “Miss Congeniality.”
Dookie, who was initially deemed as one of the crowd’s favourites, was awarded the “Miss Catwalk” prize while Ramnauth, who is no stranger to pageantry, received prizes for “Miss Beautiful Heart” and “People’s Choice Award.”
Other prizes such as “Miss Photogenic” went to Rajkarran, and “Miss Pretty Face” went to Chunilall. The other contestants were also recipients of awards for “Best Eyes,” “Best Skin,” “Best Smile” and “Best Face.”
The new Miss India-Guyana works full-time as a Marketing and Communications Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Honours Degree from Brock University in Business Communication Studies and is the recipient of the 2016 Top 40 under 40 Hamilton Business Achievement Award.
Bahadur is also a professional Bharatanatyam dancer and is a trained vocalist in North Indian Hindustani music within the Patiala Gharana. She is extensively involved in humanitarian work with the Nirvana Humanitarian Foundation/Society, across Guyana and in Canada.
This young lady is passionate about motivating youth through Indian Arts and has started to do so by offering Bharatanatyam dance workshops to underprivileged children in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) since 2012 as a way to build their confidence and self-esteem and many other transferable skills needed to become strong, sound minded adults.
