Sucheta Wankhem Mrs India 2004

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Manipur housewife is Gladrags Mrs. India 2004 Runners-Up

Mrs. Sucheta Wangkhem is Bombay Dyeing Gladrags Mrs. India 2004 Runners-Up

By: Atom Samarendra

Mrs. Sucheta Wangkhem - 2nd runners up Bombay Dyeing Gladrags Mrs. India 2004

Manipur is well known for its rich cultural heritage, sports, theatre, cinema and of course "insurgency" by the rest of the country and world. However, one housewife from the state has been able to introduce Manipur in the glamorous world of fashion and beauty recently by bagging the 2nd runners up title in the prestigious "Bombay Dyeing Gladrags Mrs.India 2004" beauty pageant. She introduced Manipur to celebrities like Bipasha Basu, Dino Morea, Mandira Bedi and other bigwigs of Indian fashion and beauty industry.

She is the daughter-in-law of ex-state president of Samata Party (late) Mr. Wangkhem Basantakumar and wife of former social welfare minister and acting MLA of Khshetrigao Assembly constituency Mr. Vivek Raj Wangkhem. She was crowned Miss Manipur in 1993, bagged Miss Perfect Ten in the Northeast beauty pageant in 1995 and has also served as a television anchor to Doordarshan Kendra Imphal.

Bombay Dyeing Gladrags Mrs India 2004 Naina Dhaliwal flanked by 1st runner up Kanwal Toor and Sucheta Wangkhem

It came to the surprise of the people of Manipur when a wife of former minister and acting MLA from Manipur was judged as the 2nd runners up of Bombay Dyeing Gladrags Mrs. India 2004 beauty contest held on November 22 during the glittering mega final at the National Centre for Performing Arts, Nariman Point Mumbai. Mrs. Sucheta Wangkhem was the lone contestant from the entire North-East India Region. She along with one contestant from Kolkota represented the eastern India in the beauty contest for the married women. She became the first Manipuri to participate in such a prestigious beauty contest held at the national level. (It may be remembered that a girl from Manipur had participated in the Femina Miss India held in 2000. However she could not win any title).

Speaking exclusively to E-Pao! Sucheta Wangkhem said it was her dream come true to win a prestigious title in the beauty contest held in the national level. Early from her college days, Sucheta wanted to become a beauty queen. Her enthusiasm didn't withered even after she got married to Vivek Raj in 2002. Her mother in-law and husband inspired and encouraged her to realize her dream and it has come true.

Sucheta Wangkhem with her husband Vivek Raj Wangkhem

Saying she had really gain a lot from course of the contest Sucheta said they(contestants) have been given a wide range of working out schedules. Lessons ranged from Dance sequences to rhythm to how to apply make-up, groom oneself and talk. She said the pageant was a platform for married women to unearth their true potential and that it was more than just a beauty contest. It was a celebration of womanhood. All that a woman can achieve even after tying the knot.

Of the 23 finalists, 10 of them including Sucheta are yet to have kids. The contestants included software professional, teacher, IAS officer, professional models, and fashion designer. It was a great experience to meet and interact with those married Indian women from diverse profession, Sucheta asserts.

Sucheta said she received contract offers from big firms like Bombay Dyeing and few MNCs but refused them as she wanted to be a housewife for which she is proud of. Sucheta said "I'm satisfied with my achievement and will now remain as a faithful housewife. I've very much proud of being a housewife. Iam able to show the talent and potential what a married woman can do". She believes that she hasn't lost her edge even after marriage.

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