“I feel honoured and blessed to be the new Miss Berbice I’m a Big Deal queen because I will take this opportunity… to impact young women’s lives in Berbice,” former Tutorial Academy Secondary School student Rameshwarie Devi Jairam said.
Rameshwarie finished in top place last Saturday night at the Albion Sports Complex after going head to head with seven other contestants. According to the queen, though she consider each of them a strong competitor, first runner-up Cintiana Harry was her strongest competition because as a model she was familiar with the spotlight and exuded much confidence. “This pageant has given me a lot of experiences and with me I am taking new relationships, a sisterhood and new opportunities,” the winner said.
Rameshwarie comes from the little village of Islington and because many persons don’t consider the village to be significant they tried to discourage the 21-year-old from competing saying that they doubted anyone would notice someone from a little village. But that was all Rameshwarie needed to show that anything is possible. Not only did she walk away as queen but she took home awards for Miss Congeniality, Miss Intelligence, Best Talent and Best Smile.
For the talent category she did an interpretative dance to the song “I’m Every Woman” and transformed into a woman who was empowered at the end.
The Costume Category which went down the Sunday prior to the coronation night saw the contestants featuring various birds in Guyana. Rameshwarie’s costume, which was designed by the talented designer Jason Shurland, depicted the Purple honeycreeper. The costume category was her best by far, more so because she had a fun time in the costume parade and seeing the delightful faces of patrons who had gone out to view it parade. Shurland, Rameshwarie noted, was her official designer and did all of her pieces including the sparkling silver gown she won the crown in.
Reminiscing about her childhood, Miss Berbice 2018 said that she and her mother were always enthusiastic about pageantry and would spend most of the night in front of the television whenever a pageant was aired. “I have always been fascinated with pageantry and everything it has to offer. I see pageantry as a way of women empowerment and the great things they can make happen when they come together. It gives women the chance to improve on themselves and create positive changes in the lives around them,” she said. Asked whether she foresees herself entering other pageants, the queen said that once the opportunity made itself available then for certain she will be competing.
As someone who describes herself to be humble, cultured, graceful and a woman of dignity, Rameshwarie hopes to leave the legacy of having made a difference in the lives of young women she comes into contact with.
She plans to use her reign for in women empowerment and standing up for the rights of women everywhere.
She acknowledged the support of the Miss Berbice team, the contestants of this year’s pageant, her parents who have been with her every step of the way and her sponsor Top Brandz Distributors especially Danielle Bahadur.
The pageant was emceed by television personality Joel Ghansham and was judged by five judges.
With last year’s queen Farah Valentina Bates abroad, Rameshwarie was crowned by pageant coordinator Tracey Khan-Drakes with the help of pageant director Royston Drakes.
The other awards presented last Saturday were Best Gown, Best Swimsuit/ Body, Best Costume and Best for Impression which went to Cintiana Harry while Priya Anjiloi secured the People’s Choice Award and Natoya Rawlins, the Miss Catwalk Award.
In third place was Omeica Bindah while Jamace Hinds was third runner-up.. The other contestants were Keba Henry and Serona Joseph. All eight contestants received a cash prize of $150,000 each among other prizes.
The Miss Berbice team thanked the sponsors – Top Brandz Distributors, Caribbean Nations Group, J’s Super-market, Integrated Security Services Inc, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, Morgan’s Learning Centre and Delmur Company Limited.
Also receiving acknowledgement were the businesses that sponsored and co-sponsored this year’s contestants: Madelo Beer by Top Brandz Distributors; Comfort Sleep; Integrated Security Services Inc; MP Auto Sales (Corentyne)[ Smile Designers, Tropical Auto Sales and Jermaine’s Boutique all of Springlands; Digital Edge Photo Studio, Poonai’s Pharmacy and Animal Health Care, Suzanne’s Boutique, D Balram Shane General Store and F M Hamid all of Rose Hall; J&S Restaurant and Bar, Kool Ride Taxi, Maurice Richard-Duffer, Furniture World, Deep Fried Burgers and Shav’eh Restaurant and Bar all of New Amsterdam; Leah’s Enterprise of Rosignol; Priya’s Beauty Salon of Port Mourant and Prophecy Car and Bus Rental of Williamsburg.
