Rashena Hanif emerged as this year’s Miss India Guyana just minutes into Monday morning last at the Ramada Princess Hotel after going head on in a stiff competition with five other contestants.
Coronation night began on Sunday, May 26 at 8.30 with the national anthems of Guyana and India, and after the audience was seated, the Sensational Six as they were dubbed, appeared in matching Indian outfits. They then made their way individually onto the catwalk to introduce themselves.
The audience was supportive of the contestants and remained so throughout the night, but it was clear that they favoured contestants 4, 5 and 6, Rashena Hanif, Sandeka Rampersaud and Sharona Haniff, respectively.
During the glamorous Evening Gown segment, 4 of the contestants went for a more western look, while Rashena and Sharona kept the Indian flair in their pieces. Hemwantie Seodat wore a strapless, turquoise, flowing gown. Diana Ahmad’s gown was a white, turtleneck, laced piece that finished in a fishtail. It also carried a train that began at the shoulders and flowed along the catwalk as she modelled. Dianna Persaud went for a more royal look wearing a glittering, royal blue ballgown with spaghetti straps and off the shoulder sleeves. Rashena’s gown was jaw-dropping, aquamarine and hues of blue that had a sort of peacock flare. Crystals lined her v- neckline and waistline. A flowing blue train was attached to her waist but removed as she modelled. Sandeka illuminated the runway with a simple yet exquisite golden, fishtail gown, which carried a graceful train from the waistline. Sharona shimmered in an aquamarine, fishtail, strapless gown that had a modern Indian look. It was intricately designed with gold lace and beads that ran along her bodice and had a train from her waist, which she opened to let flow behind her as she made her way along the stage.
While some thought that Sharona strutted the catwalk the best, it was the Wakenaam beauty, Sandeka who later that night copped the Miss Catwalk Award despite being the only contestant to have tripped while walking, twice.
Hemwantie opened the Talent Segment standing in a pink, life-sized boxed marked ‘Barbie’. Stepping out of the box she did an Indian dance before returning to it and finishing as a frozen Barbie. Diana did splendid tassa drumming. The crowd clapped along while Dianna played the guitar and did “This Is Me” from the film The Greatest Showman. Rashena danced a beautiful Kathak piece. Sandeka did an enchanting dance. Sharona sang a cover of Alicia Keys’ “This Girl Is On Fire” which she did as a fusion with a Kathak dance.
After an intermission of almost an hour, the second half of the competition opened with Miss India Worldwide 2018 Shree Saini who enticed the audience with her dance to the song “Titanium”. Shree, who was also a judge and the guest of honour, had earlier that evening shared that from a young age she was told by doctors that she couldn’t dance because of a heart condition called arrhythmia, meaning that her heart’s rhythm was abnormal resulting in her wearing a pacemaker. Nonetheless, she defied the odds and returned to dancing. Following Shree was a combination of dance performances by three women in the local performing arts arena who were recognized by the Miss and Mrs India Worldwide Guyana Organization for their dedication to the Indian community and culture. Devi Ramcharitar (Miss Guyana Sari Queen 2008 and dance choreographer of Nachgana Academy of Dance), Roshini Boodhoo-Persaud (Miss India Guyana 2011, Miss India Worldwide Miss Congeniality, dance choreographer of Jewan Ka Nritya Dance Group) and Shivanie Latchman (Mrs India Guyana 2018 and dance choreographer of Ishara Dance Troupe each received the Woman of Substance Award. Shree was also honoured with the same award. Guyanese singer Artie Sookhai Kellawan who was there to do a performance in song was in for a surprise when she handed the prestigious Nightingale Award for her contribution towards music in Guyana.
Following this, the contestants returned onstage, taking turns showcasing their striking Indian wear in an array of colours and heavily embellished in golden beads and crystals.
Once the scores were compounded, Rashena, Sandeka and Sharona were declared the Top Three and went on the Intelligence Segment with clean slates. Sharona went first in this category and after selecting her question was required to answer: ‘Which past beauty queen is your role model and why?’ She responded that she chose Roshini Boodhoo as her past beauty queen for a role model. She was inspired by Roshini through dance and because of that she is inspired to make a difference in the world with dance and culture. Sandeka’s question was: ‘What are the essential qualities of an empowered woman?’ She replied, “An empowered woman is motivated, self-driven and determined towards her goal. I believed these are qualities definitely possessed in an empowered woman. We celebrate love, culture and heritage and as such we are able to make a difference in our community, in our country and ultimately in our world at large.” Her answer garnered much applause. Rashena’s question was ‘What would you do if you were to win this title? She said, “If I am to win the Miss India Guyana 2019, it would be a dream come true. I would use my blessings of this title to advocate for something dear to me to balance life and I would use my voice to empower other young women like myself to believe in their dreams and step out to pursue pageantry because we’re never too young for anything and we’re never too old for anything. So, I would use my platform to encourage other young women to follow their dreams because the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” By the end of her response, many in the audience were cheering and nodding.
Before the crowning, Miss India Guyana 2018 Shoshana Ramdeen and Mrs India Guyana 2018 Shivanie Latchman took turns taking their final walk as queens. Rashena was then crowned Miss India Guyana 2019.
All the contestants won special awards. Hemwantie copped Miss Beautiful Smile and Miss Congeniality, Diana was awarded Miss Photogenic, Dianna won the Miss Beautiful Skin, Rashena was awarded Miss Beautiful Face and Miss Best Talen), Sandeka won Miss Catwalk and Miss Beautiful Hair and Sharona was awarded Miss Bollywood Diva.
The evening also saw a surprising twist when two other ladies were crowned queens. Amisha Sarjoo was crowned Miss Teen India Guyana 2019, while Kristal Inshan was crowned the new Mrs India Guyana.
The nine-member judging panel comprised: Leila Ramson, former chairperson of the Teaching Service Commission; Nirmala Singh, Managing Director of Andrew Arts; Priyanka Sookraj, Attorney at Law; Kamal Persaud, former deputy mayor of Bartica; Natina Singh, a senior manager; Vena Mookram, a finance manager and Miss World Guyana 2017; Sharon Lalljee-Richard, entrepreneur; Valine Persaud-Singh, a manager and Shree Saini a graduate of Harvard, Yale and Stanford universities and Miss India Worldwide 2018. Shree will go on to crown her successor at this year’s international leg.
Miss India Guyana 2019 was co-hosted by television personality Joel Ghansham and Mrs India Guyana 2018 Shivanie Latchman.
The three queens will go on to represent Guyana at the Miss India Worldwide Competition come September in India.
Miss/Mrs./Teen India Worldwide Guyana would like to acknowledge their sponsors – Amanda’s Bridal Guyana, Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, Everest Cricket Club, L’Oreal – Massy Distribution, Biore – Massy Distribution, Jergens – Massy Distribution, Andrew Arts, Shoe heaven, Sleepy Ultra Pads – Sueria Manufacturing, Trophy Stall, Aquafina, M&M Snackette, Prashad’s Medical Pharmacy, Cellular Plus, Colours of India, Saajid Husani Photography, Nachle Designs, Eye Candy by Mel, Knights Production, Kimmy Mohabir Stage Decor, Alicia Bess (Pageant Coach) and 98.1FM.
