Jessica Marbaniang from Meghalaya crowned as Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2015

Guwahati; March 14, 2015:

Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2015, Jessica Marbaniang flanked by First runner-up, Rinky Chakma (left) and Second runner up, Emily Hmingthansangi (right)

Jessica Marbaniang from Meghalaya crowned as Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2015
Rinky Chakma from Tripura and Emily Hmingthansangi from Mizoram crowned 1st and 2nd Runners up respectively during the 13th annual edition of the pageant

In front of an audience of approximately 900 spectators from all across the north eastern region, Jessica Marbaniang from Meghalaya was crowned Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2015 at the ITA Cultural Complex, Machkhowa. The contestants travelled to Guwahati for almost a week of activities, grooming and training sessions conducted by Mega Entertainment, followed by rehearsals, leading up to the Grand Finale of the pageant. The pageant has been supported by Fashion Partner Reliance Trends, Styling Partner Lakme and Telecom Partner Vodafone.

Jessica Marbaniang is the fourth young woman to take home the Sunsilk Mega Miss North East crown from Meghalaya. 20 year old Jessica is a 2nd year B. Music student of St. Anthony's College, Shillong. She stays with her parents and little sister in Shillong.

Jessica has won a custom American diamond tiara, cash prize, and gifts from pageant sponsors, travel opportunities, professional representation by Mega Entertainment, and opportunity to walk for Reliance Trends in the biggest fashion event of the country, Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai.

The three winners will be offered a professional grooming session, which would guide them further on how to carry themselves forward in the professional sphere. Besides, they will also get the opportunity to be a part of various regional and national assignments.

The organizers of the event, Mega Entertainment, had shortlisted 31 women, who vied for the coveted title of Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2015. The pageant is inspired by Designer/ Fashion Choreographer and the powerhouse of fashion & pageant industry Abhijit Singha.

Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2015, Jessica Marbaniang flanked by 1st runner-up, Rinky Chakma (left) and 2nd runner up, Emily Hmingthansangi (right) with Abhijit Singha,Founder of Mega Entertainment

Abhijit Singha, Founder of Mega Entertainment and Managing Director of Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2015, spoke during the crowning ceremony, "Through Sunsilk Mega Miss North East we look for a young and aspiring talent that is fit, intelligent and driven to be a role model - using her attributes to make a difference in the society. The pageant will not culminate with mere crowning of the winners. We also make it a mission to give them an international platform from where their dreams can take flight. Today's winner Jessica Marbaniang will walk for Reliance Trends at the Lakme Fashion Week, which in itself is a dream-come-true for various well established models too."

Vedika Mohan and former Mega Mr. North East Piyush Sharma joined forces to host this year's show for the first time as co-hosts. During the strong competition the contestants were judged in four segments: traditional wear, cocktail designer wear, evening gown presentation and personality interview as they vied for the coveted title of Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2015.

The reigning beauty queens Leni Ralte from Mizoram – 2nd Runner-up 2014, Archana Barman from Assam – 1st Runner-up 2014 and on behalf of Natasha Wahlang from Meghalaya who was Mega Miss North East 2014, Juhi Gogoi – Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2013 crowned their respective successors at the conclusion of the pageant.

The judges who sealed the fate of this year's winner included: Monika Devi, Committee Member of Mega Entertainment; Neelotpal Deka, the first Cyber Crime Lawyer of North East and Radhika Radia, AVP Operations & Channel Relations – GRACENOTE (Tribune Media Services).

The pageant organizers were also judged for a series of sub-awards. The results were as under- Rinki Chakma from Tripura was awarded Sunsilk Miss Beautiful Hair; Linita Thounajam from Manipur was awarded Lakme Perfect Radiance Diva; Reliance Trends Miss Trendy was given to Jessica Marbaniang from Meghalaya; Priyanka Baishya from Assam won Miss Photogenic award; and Vodafone Most Popular Female award, which is selected on the basis of highest number of votes received and allows direct entry into the semi-final, was given away to Shivangi Baheti from Assam. Besides the regular sub-awards, Sonia Marak from Shillong (Meghalaya) won a wildcard entry to the pageant through the Lakme Perfect Radiance Ticket to Fame contest.