The Guyana Divya Jyoti Association (GDJA) will next month host a pageant, which will see five young women compete for the title of Miss Guyana Sari Queen 2019.
Years ago, there had been a Miss Diwali Pageant and when it was discontinued, variations of it but none that stuck around.
A sari pageant, the organisers said, is important because from the very beginning, their fore mothers wore this traditional wear and knew the many different ways to wrap one. Pageant organizer and local designer Vikash Liliah noted that today many women of Indian descent are reaching for other Indian garments that do not entail wrapping and because of this, the art of draping a sari is being lost.
President of the GDJA Dolly Lall-Singh approached Vikash and Mrs India Guyana 2018 Shivannie Latchman to incorporate a pageant in this year’s Diwali motorcade. Initially, the idea of bringing back the sari pageant was not considered but the group of three had decided that whether it was a new pageant or not, it would focus solely on Indian culture and tradition.
“While this is not the exact pageant [as] the one in the past, we are taking the same idea and adding our own flair to it. It gives a platform where the girls can raise awareness on issues that they are most passionate about. At the end of it all, we are hoping that this pageant will empower them through culture and tradition,” Vikash said.
The young women will compete in Introduction, Talent, Sari Display, and Question and Answer categories. The queen must end with the highest points after scores have been compounded from the four categories.
Mentor and prospective emcee of the pageant Joel Ghansham who was present, said, “I’m really excited and elated to know the fact that Divya Jyoti… and Auntie Dolly [GDJA president] who is strong and certainly legendary in our community has decided to reintroduce a historical pageant of this nature. This pageant was formerly known as Miss Diwali in the 1960s. We’ve got five beautiful finalists and hopefully next year we can get ten and fifteen and certainly bring back the great memories of the yesteryear into what we now call the Sari Queen. I’m really glad to see that we can empower young women to stand and embrace culture and also stand for women’s empowerment.”
Joel shared that one of the contestants is a family member and added that while he would be happy to see her win, the crown belongs to that woman who outshines the rest, whoever she is, and can stand and be a leader and role model in society.
Saturday, September 21 saw the sashing of the five contestants: Truvanie Persaud, Dhanwanttie Amisha Tajeswar, Madhuri Raishma Ramlogan, Nikito Lochan and Sarah Madramootoo.
Truvanie Persaud – A contestant in the Miss India Guyana 2019 Pageant, Truvanie finished in the top 10 and took home the Miss Beautiful Hair Award. Truvanie shared that she decided to compete in the Sari Pageant because of her love for the Indian culture and her fascination with pageantry. The former Bladen Hall Secondary student is a phlebotomist who is currently pursuing studies in psychology at the American University of Peace Studies. Her hobbies are modelling, playing cricket and being involved in outdoor activities. She is also a freelance model. As someone who has a special interest in the how the mind works, Truvanie will use her platform to bring awareness to depression. She plans on collaborating with her school to have community outreaches and counselling. A Virgo, she likes eating roti and curry. Her favourite colour is purple. Truvanie has no siblings but does have two dogs and a parrot for pets and while she likes that she does not have to share them, she adds that she has a bigger responsibility of caring for them.
Dhanwanttie Amisha Tajeswar – Having always had an eye for the glitz and glam of pageantry and platforms that allow women to highlight important issues, Dhanwanttie knew she had to sign up for this pageant. “This Miss Divya Jyoti Sari Pageant will pave a way for me to compete at pageants [with international links]. I’m enjoying the experience already and gaining much from it. This is certainly a pageant I will encourage any young women with a love for tradition and culture to take part in,” Dhanwanttie said. Dhanwanttie grew up attending the mandir. For her platform, she wants to focus on girl empowerment, because for her empowerment should begin at a much younger age. She hopes to enlighten young girls in self-love, to boost their confidence and let them know that despite what comes their way they can still follow their dreams. She is an office clerk at Edward B Beharry and Company and also a student at the Cacique’s Accounting College. Competing in pageantry for her is a dream come true. Her astrology sign is Cancer. She loves listening to music, surfing online hanging with friends. Her favourite food is anything with chicken.
Madhuri Raishma Ramlogan – Named for the famous Bollywood star Madhuri Dixit, it is no wonder this contestant has a love for modelling and dancing. This pageant, she noted, will give her the opportunity of doing that so she looks forward to the talent segment. While a student at Camille’s Institute for Business and Science Studies (now Camille’s Academy) she danced and modelled whenever there were Diwali and Phagwah concerts. Not someone who likes public speaking, Madhuri looks forward to all the television and radio appearances that are scheduled because she could really use the practice to be ready for pageant night. For her platform, she will be focusing on suicide. This particular issue hits home for her because as a child she witnessed immediate family members attempt suicide. She subsequently received counselling after. The young woman shared that while she was once in a place where she considered suicide, she has never thought of the act again. She is hoping to use her experience to help other persons and let them know no bad situation is permanent every new day is another chance to make things better. A finance clerk at JR Ranch Inc, Madhuri is also pursuing studies at Cacique Accounting College. She loves cooking and boasted that she can make excellent paratha roti. She also enjoys reading (romance and mystery). This Gemini likes the colour black.
Nikito Lochan – “I’ve never been in a pageant before and I wanted to gain the publicity and exposure to be able to help younger people. My platform is the motivation and empowerment of juvenile delinquents. I want to help them to see that there’s more to life than just being in prison or a centre,” Nikito explained. “I’ve volunteered more than once at the Sophia Juvenile Detention Centre and that is what would have inspired me to use that as my platform. I want to cook and make crafts with them so that they can have a little fun; it doesn’t have to be all boring.” A marketing and sales agent, Nikito works at Bettencourt and hopes to later pursue studies in marketing. She is a former student of Reaz Hussain’s Business Institute. The young woman shared that so far, she has bonded with the girls. Asked who she thinks is her biggest competitor, Nikito indicated that all the girls have their own strengths and that any of them could become the queen. Her hobbies include writing short stories, watching television series and hanging out with friends. The 21-year-old is a Libra who considers herself to be a foodie; her favourite Indian dessert is Gulab Jamun. She likes the colour blue.
Sarah Madramootoo – “I chose to enter this pageant because it represents culture and the Indian culture is richly diverse. Being from an Indian background, I’d like to represent that and empower women. My platform is positive body image and suicide,” Sarah said. “Growing up I’ve always been told I’m way too slim and people have always bashed me because of my weight, and I am hoping to change people’s [perspective].” In dealing with this she learnt to believe in and empower herself through online quotes. Priyanka Chopra who stands for positive body image is someone Sarah looks up to as her role model and now she is getting the opportunity to be someone else’s role model. The Bee Hive resident is a former student of Hope Secondary. She is the eldest of three children and the only girl. With a passion for dancing Sarah intends to light up the stage with her talent. She is the only Christian among the group of girls, but Sarah said that it does not take away from her Indian culture. The 19-year-old has a Facebook page called Sarah Madramootoo where she posts positive videos of herself sending positive messages under the hashtag #themoreyouknow. She also intends to host positive body image groups where girls can have one-on-one discussions. Sarah loves to eat chicken curry with rice mentioning that she is a rice girl. She loves reading science textbooks which she claims to have an obsession with; she likes singing as well. Sarah noted that because of her love for challenges, this pageant is perfect for her. At present, she is the coordinator at Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital and intends to read for a pharmaceutical degree at the University of Guyana when the new school year begins. Her favourite colour is baby pink. Sarah has a pet goldfish named Nemo.
The GDJA acknowledged Savi’s Exclusive Fashion, Miguel Beauty Creations, Chandra’s Indian Fashion House, Ravindra Racktoo Photography, Feel The Beat Tassa Troupe, Natasha’s Wedding Décor and Rental Services, Naya Andaaz Designs, Kalyan Centre and Shopping Complex, Full Effect Photo, Superbet and Everest Cricket Club for sponsoring the pageant.
The Miss Guyana Sari Pageant is set for Saturday, October 19 at the National Stadium, the same night of the Diwali motorcade. Entry into the stadium is free. However, for persons that will be using the parking lots, there is a small fee attached. All proceeds go towards the construction of a Ganga Temple. Food and refreshments will be on sale. Pageant begins at 7 pm.
