Mary Khyriem is Mega Miss North East 2017

Guwahati; June 26, 2017

Contestants during Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2017

Mary Khyriem from Shillong becomes 15th Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2017
Strela Thounaojam from Imphal and Smriti Sarmah from Guwahati crowned 1st and 2nd Runners up respectively

In front of approximately 900 spectators from all across the north-eastern region, Mary Khyriem from Shillong, Meghalaya was crowned the 15th Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2017 at the ITA Cultural Complex, Machkhowa on Sunday evening. Besides, Strela Thounaojam from Imphal and Smriti Sarmah from Guwahati became the 1st and 2nd runners up respectively.

The contestants travelled to Guwahati for almost a week of activities which included grooming and training sessions conducted by Contestant Directors of Mega Entertainment Juhi Gogoi and Jessica Marbaniang, followed by rehearsals, leading up to the Grand Finale of the pageant. The pageant has been supported by Title Sponsor Sunsilk, Fashion Partner Trends, Beauty Partner Pond’s White Beauty, Hospitality Partner Radisson Blu, Confidence Partner Rexona, Digital Partner Vodafone SuperNet 4G and Co-Sponsored by Panasonic.

Mary Khyriem was crowned by Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2016 Meriya Subba in front of a packed audience. Mary, a 3rd semester mass communication student at St. Anthony's College, Shillong, said that she must thank the people of North East for the support and specially her family members who supported her throughout her life. “I owe my success to my parents and mentors. Special thanks to the panel of judges and Mega Entertainment, and especially Abhijit Singha, for crowning me Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2017. I am overwhelmed and can’t express my happiness… this is a dream coming true for me,” said Mary Khyriem after winning the title.

Imphal-beauty Strela Thounaojam was crowned the first Runner’s up at the gala event on Sunday. “I am blessed with two mothers and the love of them has helped me shape into a better woman... In my journey, my aunt has been one of my support systems and I am sure I have made all of them proud today...” said Strela whose father is a Manipur-based journalist.

(L-R) 1st runner-up Strela Thounaojam from Manipur, winner Mary Khyriem from Meghalaya and 2nd runner-up Smriti Sarmah from Assam at Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2017

The second Runner’s up at the Sunday’s event, which completed 15 glorious years this year, was Guwahati’s Smriti Sarmah. A Delhi University post graduate, Smriti did her schooling from National Public School and Army Public School, Narangi. “This is such an exhilarating experience…it’s yet to sink in. I can just say that I am overwhelmed now and probably it will take me a week or so to realize I am one of the title winners. I must congratulate Mary and Strela for their achievements and special thanks and congratulations to Abhijit Singha for superbly hosting the Sunsilk Mega Miss North East,” she said.

Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2017, Mary Khyriem has won a prize package worth Rs. 3,00,000, including a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 and an opportunity to become the face of Sunsilk’s print and outdoor campaigns and opportunity to walk the biggest fashion event of the country Lakmé Fashion Week for Trends in Mumbai. She has also won gift hampers from Sunsilk, LED TV and grooming kits by Panasonic, unlimited calling and 4g/3g data for 6 months by Vodafone, 1 year gym membership by Biofit, etc. She also wins traveling and international representation opportunities in countries like Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam & Cambodia.

The three winners will be offered professional representation by Mega Entertainment, a professional grooming session, which would guide them further on how to carry themselves forward in the professional sphere. Besides, the winners also get the opportunity to walk the ramp in various national and international shows.

The organizers of the event, Mega Entertainment, had shortlisted 49 women, who vied for the coveted title of Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2017. The pageant is curated by Founder of Mega Entertainment Abhijit Singha and is driven by Managing Director of Mega Entertainment Kanhaiya Mehta.

During the strong competition, the contestants were judged in foursegments: evening gown presentation, Trends collection presentation,talent round and personality interview as they vied for the coveted title of Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2017. The gowns of the opening round were designed by Dipika Devi and the top-5 winners wore gowns designed by Nitu Kachari. The girls had made their first stage appearance on Saturday during Fair & Lovely Men Mega Mister North East showcasing their traditional costumes.

The judges who sealed the fate of this year’s winner included: Soma Laishram, leading Manipuri actress and Mega Miss North East 2010; Arif Mukhim, leading fashion designer from Shillong and Mega Mister North East 2009 runner-up; Naved Qureshi, blogger and fashion consultant and National Brand Head of Jana Bank; Silvia Palmei, Marcom Head- Vodafone Mobile Services Ltd; Bobby Singh, Fashion & Lifestyle Promoter; Mridul Sinha, Regional Marketing Head (East)- Trends; and Monika Devi, Senior Member, Mega Entertainment.

The pageant organizers were also judged for a series of sub-awards. Priyakshi Gogoi was awarded Trends Miss Trendy; Chayanika Baishya was awarded Radisson Blu Miss Hospitality. The Vodafone Miss Popular, which was selected on the basis of highest number of votes received and allows direct entry into the semi-final, was given away to Sookini Sutnga. The Ponds White Beauty Spotless Diva subtitle was won by Mary Khyriem.Besides the regular sub-awards, Rexona Miss Confidence winner selected through the talent round was Chayanika Baishya.

See a full photo gallery of Miss NE here