14th Mega Miss North East 2016 : Soibam Kanchan Chanu (2nd Runners-up)

Guwahati; June 20, 2016 :

Winners of 14th Sunsilk Mega Miss North East - Meriya Subba from Sikkim (C), Licha Thosum from Arunachal Pradesh (L) and Soibam Kanchan Chanu from Manipur

In front of an audience of approximately 900 spectators from all across the north eastern region, Meriya Subba from Namchi, Sikkim was crowned Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2016 at the ITA Cultural Complex, Machkhowa on Sunday. The contestants travelled to Guwahati for almost a week of activities which included grooming and training sessions conducted by Mega Entertainment, followed by rehearsals, leading up to the Grand Finale of the pageant. The pageant has been supported by Reliance Trends, Radisson Blu, Vodafone U and State Bank of India.

18-year-old Meriya Subba was crowned by Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2015 Jessica Marbaniang in front of a packed audience. She is the second young woman from Sikkim to take home the Sunsilk Mega Miss North East crown. Meriya, whose parents are school teachers, said that she must thank the people of Northeast 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 2016. I am overwhelmed and can't express my happiness... this is a dream coming true for me," said Meriya after winning the title.

Arunachal Pradesh beauty Licha Thosum was crowned the first Runner's up at the gala event on Sunday. Licha, who hails from Doimukh, is a second semester Master in Sociology student at Rajiv Gandhi University, Doimukh. "My family and friends will be very proud today. I am very happy and unable to express the exact emotions just now... this is so much special for me. My parents are working with the Arunachal Pradesh police department and I know they are proud of my achievement," she said.

The second Runner's up at the Sunday's event, which completed 14 glorious years this year, was Imphal's Soibam Kanchan Chanu. A Master in Public Administration student, Kanchan did her schooling from Imphal. Interestingly, her father is also a police personnel with Manipur Police. "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 Meriya and Licha 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 2016, Meriya Subba has won a cash prize of Rs 50000, gifts from pageant sponsors, opportunity to become the face of Sunsilk's print and outdoor campaigns and an opportunity to walk the biggest fashion event of the country Lakmé Fashion Week for Reliance Trends in Mumbai. Besides, she has also won travel opportunities to South East Asian countries with ICSI, professional representation by Mega Entertainment, portfolio shoot by Rahul's Spectrum and public relations and reputation management consultancy for one year by Life's Purple.

The three winners will be offered 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 2016. The pageant is inspired by Designer/ Fashion Choreographer and the powerhouse of fashion & pageant industry Abhijit Singha.

Abhijit Singha with the Winners of 7th Fair & Lovely Men Mega Mister North East and 14th Sunsilk Mega Miss North East

Abhijit Singha, Founder of Mega Entertainment and Managing Director of Sunsilk Mega Miss North East, spoke during the crowning ceremony, "Through Sunsilk Mega Miss North East we look for a young and aspiring talent that is fit, intelligent and driven to be a role model - using her attributes to make a difference in the society. The pageant will not culminate with mere crowning of the winners. We also make it a mission to give them an international platform from where their dreams can take flight. Today's winner Meriya will walk for Reliance Trends at the Lakmé Fashion Week, which in itself is a dream-come-true for various well established models too. She will also get an opportunity to travel in the eight south Asian countries with ICSI and be a part of international shows."

The show was hosted by Assamese film and theatre artist Kingkini Bhattacharyya. During the strong competition, the contestants were judged in foursegments: traditional wear, cocktail designer wear, evening gown presentation and personality interview as they vied for the coveted title of Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2016. Mega Miss Northeast 2014 Natasha Wahlang crowned Soibam Kanchan Chanu – 2nd Runner-up and the reigning beauty queens Rinky Chakma – 1stRunner-up 2015 and Jessica Marbaniang– Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2015 crowned their successors Licha Thosum and Meriya Subba respectively at the conclusion of the pageant.

The judges who sealed the fate of this year's winner included: Runner Up-Mega Mister North East 2009 and leading fashion designer from Shillong Arif Mukhim; Activation Manager for Hindustan Unilever brands Divya Ramakrishnan; Runner Up- Mega Miss North East 2013 and author of ‘Dear Bohemian Man' Subi Taba; marketing consultant and Brand Head at Kingfisher Naved Qureshi; and Entrepreneur and Hotelier Bobby Singh.

The pageant organizers were also judged for a series of sub-awards. Licha Thosum was awarded Reliance Trends Miss Trendy; Strela Devi was awarded Radisson Blu Miss Hospitality. The Vodafone U Fast Track Entry title, which was selected on the basis of highest number of votes received and allows direct entry into the semi-final, was given away to Boishali Dutta. Besides the regular sub-awards, Sunsilk Wild Card Entry winner selected on the individual personality and attitude were Rangolee Debbarma, Padma Subedi, Strela Devi, Soibam Kanchan Chanu and Mamita Debbarma

See a photo gallery of 14th Mega Miss North East 2016 here