Crowns and sashes that brought Odisha to the limelight in 2017

Bhubaneswar: While Manushi Chillar won the coveted Miss World 2017 title in November, ending the 17 years of drought for India at the international pageant, beauty queens and models from Odisha also made the state proud by bagging crowns and sashes at national and international pageants, this year.

Odisha Sun Times applauds the Odia winners of beauty pageants in the year 2017:

Padmalaya Nanda

Odisha’s little beauty 12-year-old Padmalaya Nanda of Puri, created history by winning three mega titles (the prestigious Golden Crown Little Miss Universe Internet 2017, Little Miss Universe Grand Prix and Little Miss Actress, popularly known as Best Talent of the World) at Little Miss Universe 2017 beauty pageant in Georgia. Earlier in the year, she had won the Little Miss title at the grand finale of Junior Model International beauty pageant held in Kerela.

Sonika Roy

Miss Odisha 2015, Sonika Roy became Miss Asia Pacific International India and went on to grab attention at the international platform with her gorgeous lehenga with ethnic prints, lotus jewellery and a chakra signifying India. She bagged the subtitle in National Costume Competition at Miss Asia Pacific International 2017 held in Philippines.

Annie Prince Nag

Odisha-born model Annie Prince Nag bagged the Miss India Elegant title, surpassing 21 other contestants, in the finale of the beauty pageant held in Bengaluru. In 2012, she had won the Miss Bangalore title.

Sarita Pattnaik

A non-resdient Odia, Sarita Patnaik, won Mrs India Worldwide pageant this year in New Jersey (USA). She was representing United States of America at the second edition of the contest. An interior designer by profession, she was crowned Mrs India USA 2016 last year.

Mrunalinee Senapati

Hailing from the Pilgrim Town of Puri, this leggy lass bagged Fashion Viesta Miss Perfect Body title at Abraxas Goddess of Beauty–2017, a national-level beauty pageant. Mrunalinee was also declared the first runner-up at Miss Global International India -2017, the finale of the event held in New Delhi. She was crowned Miss Mumbai Diva earlier this year.

Amrutesh Otta

A final year Mechanical Engineering student of a private college in Bhubaneswar, Amrutesh was adjudged ‘Mr Photogenic’ title in Top Model India Season 3 competition held in New Delhi. He had received ‘Mr. Congeniality’ title in the second season of the same event last year.