Guwahati: In front of nearly 1000 spectators from all across the north-eastern region, Langpoklakpam Melody from Manipur, Tanvi Raksam Marak from Meghalaya and Rajeswari Chakraborty from Sikkim were crowned the 17^th Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2019 at the ITA Cultural Complex, Machkhowa on Friday evening.

Having completed 17 glorious years, Mega Mister North East is the biggest beauty pageant of northeast India, conceptualized by leading fashion entrepreneur Abhijit Singha, and produced by Mega Entertainment. The contestants traveled to Guwahati for almost a week of activities which included grooming and training sessions conducted by Mega Entertainment, followed by rehearsals, leading up to the Grand Finale of the pageant.

The pageant has been supported by Title Sponsor Sunsilk Thick and Long, Hospitality Partner Radisson Blu, Telecom Partner Vodafone SuperNet 4G, Photo Partner Sony Alpha and Cosmetic Partner Eyetex Dazller.

Speaking at the grand finale of the event, Abhijit Singha, Founder of Mega Entertainment said, “Starting this year, Mega Entertainment decided to eliminate the concept of runners-up from our pageant. So, all the top-3 contestants are the winners of Garnier Men Mega Mister North East. They have struggled their way to the top, managing to beat the other 47 contestants, hence they are all winners.”

Shillong girl Tanvi R Marak, who recently cleared her medical entrance test, was crowned one of the winners of Sunsilk Mega Miss North East, 2019. She was crowned by reigning Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2018, Mariam Longri, in front of a packed auditorium.

Speaking about her crowning moment, Tanvi says, “The most wonderful feeling in the world is when your hard work gets the validation it deserves. I felt blessed that the judges thought I was worthy of that crown. As a little girl, I always imagined myself walking in front  of a big audience representing my state, my culture; I realized that my dreams just came true and there is no looking back. I really won! Not only for myself, but for all the people who believed in me.  I had the biggest smile in all the pictures…”

Gangtok’s Rajeswari Chakraborty, a graduation student, was also crowned the winner of Sunsilk Mega Miss North East, 2019 crown. Last year’s winner Tsurila crowned the beauty pageant winner from Gangtok. Rajeswari says she was overwhelmed with happiness on winning the crown but felt sad as well since her parents were not there to witness her moment of victory.

“The only thing that I had on my mind was my parents, the feeling of knowing that I did them proud was beyond words!” She adds,

“I would like to thank Mega Entertainment and Abhijit Singha for bringing up this wonderful platform for young women where we are seen as who we actually are, for teaching us that true beauty lies within and that we need to love ourselves as we are.

Through this platform and opportunity, I can now inspire many young girls and help them regain faith on themselves, to achieve their goals and to come out of the walls of insecurity. I feel happy and blessed to have got this amazing opportunity to inspire confidence among young women of my region.”

Langpoklakpam Melody from Imphal, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education, was crowned by last year’s winner Jyotismita Baruah. After winning the pageant, Melody said, “Participating in Sunsilk Mega Miss North East and winning the pageant crown means a lot to me. I believe the pageant girl is all about honour – the honour of representing my community, my state, the honour of living every little girl’s dream, the honour to inspire many girls out there, of being a role model for the younger generation. I want to be a positive influence on everyone I cross paths with, and I strongly believe that Sunsilk Mega Miss North East will help me fulfill what I am passionate about.”

The three winners will also be offered professional representation by Mega Entertainment, a specialized grooming session, which would guide them further on how to carry themselves forward in the professional sphere. Besides, the winners also get the opportunity to walk the ramp in various regional and national shows.

The organizers of the event, Mega Entertainment, had shortlisted 50 women, who vied for the coveted title of Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2019. The gowns of the Top 5 round were designed by reputed fashion designers from Shillong Arif Mukhim.

The judges who sealed the fate of this year’s winner included:  Fashion Designer Arif Mukhim; Mega Miss North East 2016 Meriya Subba, Fashion & Lifestyle Promoter Monika Devi, Hotelier and entrepreneur Bobby Singh and Mohit Narru, Business Head Vodafone.

The pageant organizers were also judged for a series of sub-awards. Kalpana Pradhan from Assam was awarded Radisson Blue Miss Hospitality; Joya Sapamfrom Manipur won the Eyetex Dazzler Miss Beautiful Face title; Sangeeta Chettri from Meghalaya was given the Sony Alpha Miss Photogenic subtitle award; Grace W Ezung from Nagaland won the Sunsilk Hair Hack Diva subtitle; and Sukanya Gogoi from Assam won the Vodafone SuperNet 4G Miss Popular subtitle.