Sri Lanka and India take out main titles in first-ever Miss South Asia Australia Pageant

Sri Lanka and India take out main titles in first-ever Miss South Asia Australia Pageant
24 September 2017
Marie Pietersz
Reporter

A dazzling spectacle of couture and beauty vied for prominence at the first ever crowning of Miss, Mr, Ms and Mrs South Asia Australia at the Box Hill Town Hall, in Victoria. The National outfits worn by contestants from the countries of Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal represented a colourful fusion of traditions. The theme for the Sri Lankan designs was red and gold, by designer house, Savish.

Miss Rita Kukreja representing India took out the prestigious title of Miss South Asia Australia 2017 from other outstanding contestants at this inaugural ceremony. Mr South Asia Australia 2017 was won by Mr Vaibhav Sharma, representing India. The Sri Lankan winners took out the other two main titles – Mrs Gihani Gunaratne Coenraed crowned Mrs South Asia Australia 2017 and Ms Archana Kandasamy crowned Ms South Asia Australia 2017.

Through pageants such as this, Managing Director Dilkie Perera has kept pushing to extend the platform she provides for young adults to showcase their South Asian heritage in a multicultural Australia and have a voice for community issues. This year the pageant supported raising awareness of domestic violence.

“First the Miss Sri Lanka Australia Pageant, which has been running consecutively for four years, and now the Miss South Asia Australia Pageant brings this platform for young ambassadors to fruition,” said Dilkie.
Proceedings commenced with the traditional lighting of the oil lamp by dignitaries and community leaders from all participating countries. Many local community leaders, supporters of the pageant, were also present and included the wife of the Consul-General for Sri Lanka in Melbourne, Mrs Nirosha Prasanna, Vice-President of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, Marion Law, and Liz Beattie, former Member of Parliament.
The Bangladeshi Community leader, Mustafa Yousef’s advice to contestants was that the biggest and longest journeys start with a single step and he therefore wished contestants starting for the first time good luck for a tremendous future.
Mr Bandu Dissanayake, Chairman of SAPAC, endorsed the event as one in which youth could showcase their talent and get involved in community events while enhancing their image and confidence and integrating into the Australian mainstream society.
“It is a very impressive endeavour and I would like to see it go from strength to strength,” Mr Dissanayake said.
Designers didn’t disappoint with their attention to detail in dressing participants in elaborate traditional, contemporary formal and casual wear for the three judging categories. Participants took to the runway to introduce designer showstoppers by Sav Perera-Jainudeen (Savish Bridal Collection) for Sri Lanka, Sonalika Pradhan (Vitamin by Sonalika) for India, Usha Karki (A to Z boutique) for Nepal and Nowrin Jalil for Bangladesh.

The prestigious panel of international and interstate Judges for the event comprised:
Bollywood actor – Vishwajeet Pradhan (Head Judge)
Director – Ms/Mrs Globe Australia Pageant in Victoria, Kylie Tee
Director – Miss/Mr/Mrs India Australia Pageant in NSW, Reena Koak
Director – Miss/Mr Nepal Oceania Pageant in NSW, Sunita Limbu
Director – Miss/Mr/Mrs/Teen Mr/Teen Miss Sri Lanka Australia Pageant in Victoria, Sav Perera-Jainudeen
International Runway Model, Emily Thomas.
The young contestants were not only a feast for the eyes, but a feast for the ears, as they wowed guests not only with their professional achievements but declarations of their passion for creativity and involvement in community causes.
In the Question and Answer judging category, contestants spoke about their strong views on domestic violence, why it is most prevalent in South Asian countries, how education can help with raising awareness and ways of helping victims of this previously private, but now public, social problem.
Dr Majula O’Connor, activist and Executive Director of the Australasian Centre for Human Rights and Health, provided an overview of domestic violence statistics and said how impressed she was with responses given by the contestants to the questions they were asked on the subject.
Regular singer at the pageant, Malith Perera (Mr Sri Lanka Australia 2014), entertained with a rendition of his own composition title, Venus, and Purple Rain (a Prince tribute).
A fitting finale was the crowning ceremony of the 2017 and first ever winners of each category and South Asian country represented:
Miss South Asia Australia 2017
Winner – Ritu Kukreja (India)
1st runner up – Susan Ahmadi (Afghanistan)
2nd runner up – Nishani Seniveratne (Sri Lanka)

Mr South Asia Australia 2017
Winner – Vaibhav Sharma (India)
1st runner up – Dilshan Nanayakkara (Sri Lanka)
2nd runner up – Sam Vaid (India)

Ms South Asia Australia 2017
Winner -Archana Kandasamy (Sri Lanka)
1st runner up – Hasnat Mohua (Bangaladesh)

Mrs South Asia Australia 2017
Winner – Gihani Gunaratne Coenraad (Sri Lanka)
1st Runner Up – Manisha Isaacs (India)
2nd Runner Up – Sidra Jutt (Pakistan)

Country Winners 2017
Sri Lanka
Miss – Jenanie Jeyanesha
Mr – Malan Mudalige
Mrs – Zeenath Zareen

India
Miss – Kaur Dhaliwal
Miss 1st runner up – Chetana Subramanium
Mrs – Moira Furtado
Mrs 1st runner up – Pawandeep Kaur
Mrs 2nd runner up – Sangita Raichaat

Afghanistan
Miss – Susan Ahmadi

Bangladesh
Mrs – Naomi D-Rozairo

Pakistan
Mrs – Sidra Jutt

Nepal
Mr – Manish Adhikari
Mrs – Oshin
The culmination of this 2017 pageant and its support of domestic violence awareness means that there are many new and young ambassadors who, through this platform, will work to educate the community about this social issue and help to break down the cultures and traditions that may be contributing factors to its prevalence.
Sri Lankan winners in the pageant have already began their duties with an official meeting with the Consul-General for Sri Lanka in Victoria / Tasmania / South Australia, Mr W G S Prasanna and Mrs Nirosha Prasanna.
Pageant credits:
Managing Director: Dilkie Perera
Executive: Sav Perera-Jainudeen
Operations producer: Vishni Perera-Jainudeen
Sponsor: Savish Corporation / Bridal Collection – visit www.facebook.com/savishaus www.instagram.com/savishaus