Bhubaneswar: Though people would remember 2020 as the horrible year of the COVID-19 pandemic, some young talents in Odisha would cherish the year for a completely different reason.
Several contestants from the state won beauty pageants, both virtually and live, across the country this year.
The Beauties Of Odisha In 2020
Rameshwari Nanda
Rameshwari Nanda did Odisha proud by winning the ‘Brand Ambassador Of Mumbai Global For Odisha-2020’ and ‘Best Body Beauty Crown’ in a national level beauty contest in December 2020.
Rameswari, who originally hails from Balugaon in Berhamapur, now resides at her marital home at Anant Nagar.
The only female contestant from Odisha in the married women category, Rameswari beat 11 other participants from different parts of the country in the online contest.
Prateekshya Anuskankshya
Prateekshya Anuskankshya from Rourkela was adjudged the first runner-up at the Mission Dreams Miss India 2020 contest held in Kolkata in December 2020.
Prateekshya also won the ‘Miss Body Beautiful’ title in the contest.
Daughter of Praveen Harichandan and Akash Mansingh, Prateekshya is a Plus-III first year student at Rourkela Government College.
Prateekshya, who aspires to be an actress, had secured first position in the national level contest ‘Glory Queen’ competition, which was held in Puri early in 2020.
Preeti Priyanka
Preeti Priyanka from Bhadrak has won the ‘Miss India Nayantara 2020’ beauty pageant in December, 2020. The process of Miss India Nayantara contest was started by SJ Production house, at the time of lockdown.
The participants had to apply online for the contest. They also participated in different rounds virtually. Out of them, 50 participants were selected under the guidance of noted dancer Saswat Joshi.
They attended grooming sessions in the Odisha capital and got training on ramp walk, fashion makeup, costume design, cultural awareness, body language, etc.
Sudha Awasthy
Sudha Awasthy from Jharsuguda district was adjudged ‘Popular Queen of Universe’ in November, 2020.
The competition, for ‘queens’ who have already participated in any recognized National Beauty Pageant, empowers those who want to work for society. It was organized by IAWA from September 12 to October 17.
A make-up artist by profession, Sudha’s hobbies include cooking and singing.
Sudha also has an interest in social work for which she has been recognized earlier.
Nirupama Mohanty Pati
Nirupama Mohanty Pati of Jajpur was crowned Mrs India-2020 at the national-level beauty contest held in Pune in December, 2020.
Earlier, she was crowned Mrs Maharashtra and Mrs Confident in other beauty contests conducted in Pune.
Born in Panasa village, she is married to Dipty Ranjan Mohanty of Kusi villages in Jajpur district.
On the professional front, she is working as a director in a company based in Pune.
Priyanka Mohapatra/ Aparna Dash
Priyanka Mohapatra from Jatni won the Miss India-2020 title in the Miss India Charming Face contest at the grand finale, which was held in Goa on November 28.
Out of 37 participants in the Miss India Charming Face contest, six were from Odisha.
Priyanka had a passion for singing since her childhood. Her mother, Annapurna Mohapatra, encouraged her in her journey. To realize her dream of becoming a model and actress, she has essayed different roles in some Odia serials.
Aparna Dash from Puri won the Miss Photogenic title in Miss India Charming Face 2020 contest. She was the third runners up in the contest. She is pursuing a course in Fashion Designing course at Lovely Professional University in Punjab.
Subhashree Rayaguru
Subhashree Rayaguru of Balangir has made it to the Femina Miss India-2020 finals. She is among the top five finalists from Odisha to enter the beauty pageant.
Daughter of Balangir Special Judicial Magistrate (SJM) Ramesh Chandra Rayaguru, Subhashree is a lawyer by profession.
A multi-faceted woman wrapped into one charming personality, she is a celebrity anchor, model, actor, dancer as well as a theatre artist.
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