Miss Nagaland 2023 in Kohima on December 8

KOHIMA — The 32nd edition of the Miss Nagaland 2023 finale is scheduled to be held on Dec. 8 at Capital Cultural Hall, Kohima from 5 pm onwards.

Mele Pucho, President of Beauty and Aesthetics Society of Nagaland (BASN), organiser of the annual Miss Nagaland, during a press interaction at Ura Hotel, Kohima on Friday, informed that a total of 14 contestants have been selected for the finale.

The 14 semi finalists selected during an open audition will now be groomed for the finale from Dec. 1 to the 7th, after arriving in Kohima on Nov. 30.

This year’s Miss Nagaland and first runner-up will get to represent Nagaland at Miss North East.

Pucho added that the organisers plan to provide further platforms for the winner at national and international platforms as well.

He also informed that there are no participants from Wokha as the district did not organise the event. And that the reigning Miss Tokhu Emong could not participate as some criteria could not be fulfilled.

It may be mentioned that there are no contestants from the seven tribes of Eastern Nagaland owing to the standing resolution of the Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation. Participants from the seven Eastern Nagaland tribes have stopped participating in Miss Nagaland since 2018.

The winner of Miss Nagaland 2023 will be awarded INR 1 lakh with gift hampers and direct entry to North East and national beauty pageant. The first runner-up will get INR 70k with gift hampers and direct entry to North East beauty pageant while the second runner-up will be awarded with INR 50k along with gift hampers.

Subtitle winners will include Miss Talent, Queen of Hearts, Miss Beautiful Skin, Perfect Ten, Beautiful Smile and Miss Multi Media.

The title sponsors for this year’s edition is Antodya Skills Foundation. The BASN is organising the event in collaboration with Atommy.

Neitho Khamo, HR and marketing manager of BASN, said the department of Tourism is helping the organisers monetarily but the production costs are also increasing. He said that BASN, as non-profit organisation, face challenges especially in financing the overall event. He informed they are looking out for investments and sponsors for the event and is trying to tie up with other companies for future events.

Most of the other districts are struggling to organise beauty pageant in their respective districts and therefore are not consistent to organise it, Pucho shared. However, he added beauty as industry in the state is growing.

Sarah Naam, press and media secretary of BASN, said that they are planning to move Miss Nagaland event out to the Hornbill Festival in the coming years. ‘It is the biggest beauty pageant in Nagaland and we want to make it exclusive’, she said while adding that 50 per cent of the limelight goes to Hornbill.

Veineinem Singson Haolai, finance secretary of BASN, Alem Ozukum and Vekhotolu Lohe, both members of BASN were also present during the press interaction.

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