Miss Guyana-India Katherina Roshana, recently back from representing her homeland at the Ms India Worldwide Pageant in Malaysia on April 27, says she is grateful for the opportunity and the international exposure.
The beauty queen, who won the Miss India Worldwide Most Beautiful Skin award, expressed thanks to God and to all her supporters during her journey.
In a statement she wrote to The Scene, Katherina articulated that with the greatest and deepest sentiments from her heart, she appreciates the country that she represented and the support given to her by not only friends and family in Guyana, but from the diaspora.
She expressed special thanks to the media.
“For those wondering about the local controversy, I would just like to say that I put that behind me and instead, choose to put Guyana first. I participated because I love my country dearly,” she said.
She described the works of the Apsara Entertainment Group as ‘courageous’. Local Ms India Worldwide/Ms India Guyana franchise holder and National Director Chandini Rambalak was praised for her hard work and dedication. Special thanks went to Lucria Ramblak and Hashim Alli, undying supporters who stayed behind her every second of the pageant. “They would stay up at nights until wee hours of the morning helping me to perfect my talent piece,” she said, “Their focus was immense and I applaud them on that. Little do they know that they have contributed to making me an even better individual.”
Apart from praises to Nasema Ali who served as the hairstylist and makeup artist, Katherina highlighted the work of Sonia Yarde and Collette Jones-Chin who assisted her in the dramatic presentation which she presented in the talent phase of the pageant.
Added to her list were Pamela Dillon and Derek Moore, who she thanked for spending time training her.
Kelly Mekdeci her high school English teacher and mentor helped her build her self-esteem and confidence from childhood to now. Katherina thanked her for the support and for being a comforting best friend throughout all these years.
Dr Paloma Mohamed was praised for taking time out of her busy schedule to share what Roshana described as “necessary and help extra tips and pointers” before heading to Malaysia.
Citing her close relationship with her family she said, “I simply can’t thank them enough. In Malaysia, my mother and father shadowed my every movement (whenever they had the chance to, at least) to ensure all was well with me. My bond with my parents has grown so much…. I love them sincerely.”
She thanked the US Embassy for providing her and her entire team with visas; her aunt Lynette Mangar, uncle Ramu Mangar and their relatives from Canada; Auntie Savitree Sharma of CNS, Ravi and Varsha Mangar and Marcia Akeung for travelling from Japan to support her in Malaysia.
