Diana Rose R. Marak (centre) of Meghalaya after being crowned Miss Northeast 2006, (right) first runner-up Martina Chetri of Assam and (left) second runner-up Pinky Rehman of Meghalaya in Guwahati on Saturday. Picture by Eastern Projections

It was billed as one of the most eagerly awaited events on the city’s fashion calendar. As beauties sashayed down the ramp at the jam-packed ITA Pragjyoti Cultural Complex auditorium in Machkhowa, the Mega Miss Northeast beauty pageant lived up to every expectation, and how.

When the judges opened the sealed envelope before the cheering crowd, it was the lovely Diana Rose R. Marak of Meghalaya who walked away with the coveted crown. Martina Chetri of Assam was named the first runner-up while the audience’s favourite, Pinky Rehman from Meghalaya, finished third.

For Diana, the crown meant the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream. “I always wanted to become a model and be part of the international fashion circuit. Winning the crown will open up new avenues for me,” the beauty queen beamed.

Diana’s victory here will land her at the Miss Earth Philippines and Gladrags Mega Model contests, 2007 — an opportunity of a lifetime, the organisers assure.

All three winners will get plum modelling assignments, the organisers said.

The contest, now in its fourth year, had selected 20 finalists after screening participants from the entire region last month. The panel of judges boasted of names like international cosmetics specialist Seona Caroline, fashion designer Jayram Rathani, stylist Sintre Rodriuez, fashion choreographer Anup Banerjee, and Sanjay Seth, managing director of Globe Forex ’’ Travels Limited, Calcutta.

The contest was anchored by Piyush Sarma and choreographed by Sandeep Cherian. Personality coach Nirmali Bhattacharjee groomed the contestants to help them put their best foot forward.

Students trained by Indira P.P. Bora took the stage for a Sattriya dance recital as part of the show. This was followed by a Manipuri Ras Lila performance by students of Karuna Devi. When singer Milee took the mike, she ensured that the mood for celebration was set at the perfect pitch.

“I am happy to say the event went off smoothly and was declared a grand success,” said Abhijeet Singha, the brain behind the pageant. Singha, one of the most sought after fashion designers of the region, has also earned a foothold in the hallowed portals of Bollywood.

A dash of Ash

Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Ek Mein Aur Ek Tu winner Aishwarya performs at Utsav 2006 in Guwahati on Wednesday. Picture by Eastern Projections

That Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Ek Main Aur Ek Tu has made a star out of Aishwarya was evident from the crowd that had gathered at the recently-concluded pre-Puja shopping extravaganza — Utsav 2006 — to watch the young star perform.The talented singer was floored by the love and adulation showered on him by the audience.

“I have performed at many places but the people here and their response is simply unparalleled,” he said. Aishwarya was impressed by the crowd, particularly when a girl became emotional and broke down during his performance on Wednesday night.

He presented some popular Bollywood numbers among which, Om Shanti Om from the movie Karz was a favourite among the audience.

“The crowd here is amazing. The response that I’ve received is beyond my expectation,” Aishwarya said.

The teenager from Muzzafarpur was all praise for the authentic Assamese cuisine. He took great delight in gorging on Assamese delicacies like machor tenga and khar.

Before winding up his visit, he also visited the Kamakhya temple to seek the blessings of the Mother Goddess.

During his visit to Kamakhya, he bought gifts for his parents. “My mother and father are a constant source of inspiration for me. I am what I am today only because of them. Since I am in Guwahati, I want to take something as a memento of the city for them,” he said.

He also bought some traditional Assamese jewellery for his family members.

The singer wanted to extend his stay and visit some more places, but could not do so because of his hectic schedule.

“I will look forward to an opportunity to go sight-seeing in the city, which I could not this time,” he added.

“Though this is my first visit to Guwahati, I would like to come here again and again as I have fallen in love with the people of this lovely city,” he said before leaving for Mumbai.