MISS INDIA CONNECTICUT 2018

“Crowns aren’t made of rhinestones. They are made of discipline, determination, and a hard to find alloy called courage.”

These are the qualities that the women of Connecticut displayed on Saturday, Sept 15th in Cromwell, CT at the Miss India Connecticut 2018 Pageant. The pageant, directed by Sumathi Narayanan, featured three categories: Miss, Teen, and Mrs. A total of 23 contestants participated in the pageant and confidently portrayed Indian culture, unique talents, and American pride with grace and elegance. The pageant was not just about outer beauty, but also valued inner beauty, intelligence, and ambition of the young women of Connecticut.

Miss India Connecticut is associated and part of IFC, a pioneer in organizing Indian pageants and fashion shows in USA, and aptly called the ‘Mother of all Indian Pageants in USA.’ The event started with an opening dance choreographed by P&P Dance Crew of CT, in which all the contestants performed energetic and graceful introductory dances alongside the reigning Miss India CT 2017 and 1stRunner Up of Miss India USA 2017, Prachi Shah. The opening dance was then followed by the ethnic wear round, where each contestant proudly displayed their Indian culture. Next was the talent round, in which contestants displayed their talent through dance and musical performances, acting, martial arts, crafts, and even magic shows! The contestants then gave their introduction in the evening gown round. Lastly, the finalists amazed everyone with their wits in the question and answer round.

The judges of the pageant were accomplished patrons of the arts from the New England area. The judges’ panel included: Tirthankar Das, a filmmaker and music composer from New Jersey; Sankar Gangaikondan, a singer and musician; Shaila Verma, Artistic Director of Shaila School of Dance in Massachusetts; Dr. Kavita Pattani, Mrs India USA 2017; and Namita Dodwadkar, Mrs India USA 2014 and Mrs India Worldwide 2016.

Finally, the crowning moment arrived! Various subtitles were given in each category, including Miss/Teen/Mrs. Social Media - Radhika Rathore, Athulya Narayanan, Debashree Rupalin. Miss/Teen/Mrs. Congeniality - Radhika Rathore, Nikitha Kikanamada, Mamatha Puttaswamy. Miss/Teen. Talent - Alka Marala, Athulya Narayanan. Miss/Teen/Mrs. Photogenic - Alka Marala, Dhruvi Patel, Nidhi Sinha and Miss/Teen/Mrs. Viewer’s Choice - Alka Marala, Archita Mundrathi, Mamatha Puttaswamy. The crowned winners of each category are:

Winners:

Miss India Connecticut - Alka Marala
Miss Teen India Connecticut - Nikitha Kikanamada
Mrs. India Connecticut - Rekha Gopal

1stRunner Ups:

Miss India Connecticut 1stRunner Up - Daman Brar
Miss Teen India Connecticut 1stRunner Up - Archita Mundrathi
Mrs. India Connecticut 1stRunner Up - Vidhi Dave
 
2ndRunner Ups:

Miss India Connecticut 2ndRunner Up - Radhika Rathore
Miss Teen India Connecticut 2ndRunner Up - Athulya Narayanan
Mrs. India Connecticut 2ndRunner Up - Mamatha Puttaswamy

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