Tangkhul Naga girl AR Mathing crowned Miss Manipur 2019

IMPHAL: Tangkhul Naga girl AR Mathing, 24 years old was crowned Miss Manipur 2019 at a glittering ceremony held at the Imphal Hotel lawns in the state capital on Saturday evening, 18 Jan 2020. Mathing took home a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.

Ringjoy Lamkang and Langlen Chanu were adjudged the first and second runners up, respectively, with cash prizes of Rs 80,000 and Rs 60,000 along with gift hampers.

In this year’s edition, the competition was neck-to-neck as most contestants were title holders in their own capacities at various prestigious platforms. The girls were true to themselves and did not shy away in speaking out their thoughts and minds during the question hour.

On being asked what women can learn from men, the new reigning beauty queen said: “We all know that nobody is perfect in this life and I think men are incomplete without women. Women should learn from men that women too are incomplete without them.”

According to the organisers, the winner will get to walk the ramp alongside Bollywood actor Amisha Patel in Mumbai next month.

Altogether 16 young women representing various parts of the state participated and vied for the prestigious title.

According to the organisers, the pageant was aimed to empower women, especially young girls from the region, and to encourage them to come out from their comfort zones, and to explore the world beyond their horizon.

“The experience during these ten days’ grooming session has been very nice because we all came initially as a strangers but now we are sisters,” added the newly crowned Miss Manipur 2019 Mathing, who was also the lone contestant from the hill district of Ukhrul.

“Days spent with my beautiful co-contestants and teachers have been an experience of learning and joy and I am very excited of this grand finale,” added Singsing Panmei from Tamenglong who also made it to the top 11.

“I feel kind of nostalgic and it has been a bitter sweet experience. I have been carrying this for a year and this platform has given me so much. To give back this crown to one of the contestants is exciting because she will be carrying on the legacy of Miss Manipur,” said Miss Manipur 2018 Laimayum.

Besides the prestigious title, the event also hosted seven sub-titles, which included Miss Best Discipline, Miss Congeniality, Miss Talented, Miss Catwalk, Miss Best Body, Miss Beautiful Skin and Miss Beautiful Hair.