According to Convenor of Four Hopes Nishikanta Kh, the main objective of the organization is to encourage people to preserve the rich culture and to spread love and togetherness. A series of activities including a blood donation camp and a visit to a children home were held en route to the final competition. A five-member jury from different walks of life scrutinized 22 beauties of the state and selected Miss Sangreela Maisnam, a resident of Imphal as the new Miss Manipur 2011.

Miss Omena Thokchom,a former Orange queen title holder and Miss Jingking Chingkham bagged the first and second runner up titles. Sangreela went home richer with a cash prize of Rs 1,1,111 while her companion Omena the first runner up title holder and Jinking-second runner up title holder got Rs 70,000 and Rs 50,000 each.

The other sub-titles such as Miss Photogenic and Miss Internet Queen title went to Arunapati Phairembam, Miss Beautiful Eye and Hair to Chongtham Anusuya, Miss Catwalk to Bony Laishram, Miss Perfect 10 to Itali Soibam, Miss Personality-Yumnam Anamika, COOL-Chingakham Jingking, Miss Congeniality-Kshetrimayum Monika. The sub-title holders were awarded a cash prize of Rs 10,000 each. One of the popular designers in Manipur’s fashion circles Tom Sharma bagged the best designer’s title along with DG Sharma.

Speaking to this reporter, Miss Manipur 2011 Sangreela who is the only daughter of Mohen Maisnam and Koijam Ningol Chanchal of Keishamthong Top Leirak in Manipur’s Imphal west district said her aim in life is to become a police officer. The 10+2 student is however not sure whether it would be her ultimate goal as the profession she is presently undergoing (modeling) could be her turning point. Sangreela is currently trying to balance her pre-higher secondary studies and photo shoots for Videocon mobiles as she was awarded a 6 month contract with the company. This young girl believes that her weakness in the earlier beauty contests were the key to her success this time.

Sobhapati Samom