Miss Kohima 2024, Kelülü Dawhuo flanked by first runner up, Anon Konyak and second runner up, Merilo M kikon at Kohima College Kohima on October 21.
Kohima | 18-year-old Kelülü Dawhuo from Thenyizumi village under Phek district was crowned Miss Kohima 2024 at a glittering event held at Kohima College on October 21. Bearing Contestant No. 1, she is a first-year student pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in English at St Joseph’s College (Autonomous) Jakhama. She walked away with a cash prize of Rs 20,000 and gift hampers worth Rs 30,000.
During the beauty pageant, she was asked what strategies she would use to spread awareness on mental health wherein she responded that with social media playing a vital role in today’s age, she would use it as a platform in this regard. “Be kinder to people on social media and people around us. Everyone is going through one thing or the other. Be more patient to one another and we can all help people suffering from mental health,” she advocated.
On her stance on using cosmetic procedures for beauty purpose, the newly crowned miss had also earlier remarked that one should not only use cosmetic products to enhance their beauty but that, they are already beautiful as they are. She also believes that empathy and understanding are vital components of personal growth and community development.
18-year-old Anon Konyak (Contestant No. 13) and 20-year-old Merilo M kikon (Contestant No.16) were adjudged first runner up and second runner up respectively. The first runner up received a cash award of Rs 15,000 and gift hampers worth Rs 30,000 while the second runner up received a cash award of Rs 10,000 and gift hampers worth Rs 30,000.
Addressing the Beauty Pageant earlier, Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhutso, Chairman, District Planning and Development Board (DPDB), remarked that “confidence is contagious” while exuding hope that everyone is infected with it. In the meantime, he dwelt on “beauty” while emphasising that one’s inner quality that come out with humility is so beautiful. He stated hope that everyone will go back with these two qualities and further wished the contestants all the best. Kumar Ramnikant, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Kohima also graced the occasion as the guest of honour.
Moasunup J Jingru, EAC Kohima District Administration gave an awareness talk on “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” wherein he highlighted that while there are instances of female infanticide and the age old practice of dowry in other parts of India, in the context of Nagaland, there are no such extremities. However, he said, “at the same time, things that we have not read or heard, if we go to the households, we see incidents where privileges are given to the other gender.”
Highlighting the various initiatives under “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao”, he cited instances in Naga households where the female child is sent to a government school and the male child is sent to a private school. “We need to change this reality,” he underscored in this regard.
To achieve the goals and objectives of “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao”, he further emphasised that one institution and one person alone is not sufficient. “It requires the collaborative effort of all of us”, he asserted.
Mention may be made here that Miss Kohima was organized by 4FRONT Event Managements with Kohima College, Kohima as the Event & Venue partner, Pewe Tunyi Khamo as the Choreographer, Johnny D`Ascolli as the Make-up Artist and Theja Sekhose as the Show director while the designers include Kezhaselie Seyie, Kevisedenuo Khezhie and Adaphro Seshuna.
Judges for the event were Mele Pucho, President of Beauty and Aesthetics Society of Nagaland (BASN), Abeinuo Jasmine Ashao, SDO Kohima, Dr Theyiesinuo Keditsu, Poet, Intellectual, Educator, Cultural Conservationist & Fashion Icon, and Ruopfüzhano Whiso, Miss Universe India, 4th Runner Up.
Subtitle Winners
- Miss Talent: Merilo M kikon, Contestant No.16
- Miss Multimedia: Sharon Konyak, Contestant No.10
- Miss Beautiful Smile: Sharon Konyak, Contestant No.10
- Miss Perfect 10: Kelülü Dawhuo, Contestant No.1
- Miss Congeniality: Seyievinuo Rupreo, Contestant No.2Best Evening Gown: Anon Konyak, Contestant No.13
