In the first-ever virtual Miss India contest, Manasa Varanasi bags the Miss India World 2020 title and Chandigarh girl Manika Sheokand is Miss Grand Indiacrown goes to...

ners of Miss India 2020 were announced in a star-studded ceremony in Mumbai on Wednesday. The pageant, held virtually for the first time ever, was conducted after a nationwide hunt. A total of 31 finalists were shortlisted who went through rigorous training and grooming sessions, mentored by Neha Dhupia. These girls then arrived in Mumbai to compete for the coveted crown at the finale held on February 10. Winner of Miss India 2020, who will represent India at Miss World this year, is Manasa Varanasi from Telangana. Manika Sheokand from Haryana was crowned as Miss Grand India 2020. And the third amongst the top three winners was runner up Manya Singh from Uttar Pradesh.

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City’s pride

An excited Manika Sheokand who hails from Haryana said, “I am absolutely thrilled… It’s a dream come true.” A national-level netball player, chemical engineer, and an event organiser, Manika Sheokand, Miss Grand India 2020, has made the city proud. She passed out from University Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology (UICET) in 2018 after completing five-year chemical engineering degree and is an alumna of Kailash Bahl DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 7, Chandigarh.

Childhood dream

On being selected among the top 15 finalists, she wrote on her Instagram, “On the day of the Top 15 result, I was glued to my phone since morning. With every announcement, my heart was skipping a beat. As soon as they announced my name, I started jumping with excitement. My mother teared up with joy, making the moment a bit emotional. I had goosebumps as the feeling sunk in. I’m finally a step closer to my dreams. I look forward to making my family proud by fulfilling my childhood dream of wearing a coveted crown. Mumbai, here I come!” And now when she finally lifted the title Miss Grand India 2020, not to miss the Mohey Miss Photogenic title, we can only guess the due celebrations once she will be back from Mumbai.

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Talking about the pageant, Neha Dhupia says, “It’s almost like reliving every moment of my journey with these young glamorous girls who are so full of enthusiasm and capability to take on the world with power and elegance.” The evening saw a performance by Vaani Kapoor and the show that will air on Colors on February 28, was hosted by Aparshakti Khurrana. —TNS