By Vishnu Bisram
In a glittering function held last weekend, Guyanese Sabrina Bachai of Long Island was crowned Miss India New York 2010.
Bachai, 23, graduated from NYU and is a journalist by profession. Bachai replaces Trinidadian Auradha Maharaj who won last year’s pageant.
Two other Guyanese contested
for the title among the 14 contestants this year. The other pageant contestants were from several other countries residing in New York.
This was the 28th edition of the pageant. Guyanese Ramesh Kalicharran was one of its Directors for several years.
The first runner-up position this year went to Indian national Chandan Kaur, 22, of Queens and the second runner-up was another Asian national Noopoor Akruwala, 17, of Long Island.
Bachai will go on to represent New York in the Twenty Ninth Miss India USA to be held on December 12 in New Jersey. The winner of Miss India USA will compete in Twentieth Miss India Worldwide Pageant to be held on April 27th, 2011 in Dubai. The other four finalists in the top-seven were Annushka Prabhudyal, Dhvani Patel, Nirali Darji and Roshi George.
Contestants were judged on Indian dress, evening gown, talent, and response to a question. Sabrina exuded tradition in all its glory in her attire, evening gown, and dance performance. She was dressed in an outstanding white gown. She walked the stage with poise and confidence and received thunderous applause. She said she plans to attend graduate school.
The pageant is organized by the IFC, a pioneer in organizing pageants and fashion shows. The pageant was held at the Indian Community Center Auditorium in Flushing, Queens.
The pageant was sponsored by Maaza Mango Products.
The curtain opened with the song “Happening” from the movie Main Aur Mrs. Khana by the outgoing Miss India New York, Anuradha Maharaj, who led all the contestants to the stage.
THE IFC Director and founder Dharmatma Saran thanked the participants and community for its support and presented appreciation plaques to Annuradha Maharaj from the New York State Assembly.
The Panel of Judges included Guyanese Rohan Narine and four Indian nationals.
