State lad wins Rubaru Mr India Youth Icon 2022
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati/Imphal, October 06 2022:
Banner Lanamai James of Senapati district was conferred Rubaru Mr India Youth Icon, 2022 title and the Best National Costume award at the 18th edition of Rubaru Mr India 2022 on Wednesday, making him the second youth from the state to bag the Best National Costume award for the second consecu tive year at India's biggest men's pageant.
The grand finale was held at Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park in Chennai.
"India here comes our first Rubaru Mr India Youth Icon 2022 winner from Manipur, @banner Janamai_james.
Many congratulations to the young gentleman," wrote the pageant organisers on Facebook.
Standing tall at 6 feet, the 22-year-old youth also won the best National Costume in the pageant contest, showcasing the festive costume of the Poumai Naga tribe.
According to James, the entire collection in his wardrobe for the competition was hand woven by his mother.
"Every pattern and motif in the costume tells a story and every colour used reflects the beauty of nature.
The traditional headgear signifies sunrise, bringing light and energy, the celebration of life," James said in a video presentation for the pageant.
"When I am wearing this exuberant costume, I am confident to stand in the presence of gods and goddesses," the Rubaru Mr India Youth Icon 2022 added.
Currently based in New Delhi, James is pursuing his master's degree in English, linguistics and literature.
He is a polyglot and can speak four languages, including English, Manipuri, Hindi and Nagamese.
The competition witnessed a historic event in the pageant industry as Banner James won the Best National Costume award after the same title was bagged by Songashim Rungsung, the first Rubaru Mr India winner from Manipur.
Banner James, son of Karaiba Pungdina and (Late) James Lanamai, belongs to the Poumai Naga community in Manipur and is a strong advocate of healthy, toxic free lifestyle.
He is also actively involved in raising awareness on the serious issue of sub stance abuse and has been a part of several campaigns that focus on educating people about the harmful impact of such toxic substances on one's health.
Along with that, he is also an environmentalist and has taken part in several tree plantation drives in the state.
At the age of 22, he was one of the youngest candidates at this year's Rubaru Mr India contest.
Rubaru Mr India is India's biggest and oldest running pageant for men.
The contest was established in the year 2004.Headed by Pankaj Kharbanda, the event celebrated its 18th edition this year.
Rubaru Mr India holds 70 per cent market share in India's men's pageant sector and is the largest contributor to international men's pageant industry.
It is also regarded as the biggest and most celebrated national level men's pageant in the world.
Rubaru Mr India contest is learnt to have produced maximum number of international male pageant award winners and titleholders of Indian origin.