Amid much pomp and ceremony, 25-year-old Divya Sieudarsan was crowned Miss Guyana India Worldwide 2014 at the New Thriving Banquet Hall by the outgoing queen Katherina Roshana.
Sieudarsan, who is no stranger to the pageant world, has now taken up the mantle to represent Guyana at the Miss India Worldwide Pageant in Dubai come June. In delivering her maiden speech as Miss Guyana India Worldwide, Sieudarsan pledged to campaign against child abuse. This scourge that continues to affect the lives of children all across the world must be eradicated, she stressed. It was with sadness, Sieudarsan said, she watched the brutal beating of a 12-year-old girl who posted inappropriate pictures on Facebook. The Trinidadian teen was beaten by her mother who subsequently uploaded the video on Facebook to register her disgust. The new queen said child abuse must not be condoned despite the justification given.
Sieudarsan said “abuse is abuse”. According to her, this global problem is yet to be adequately addressed on the international arena. “It is my belief that all that beauty and all that light is most useful when they work to place focus on and erase the darkness and ugliness in the world….and there are only a few things darker and uglier than the abuse of children.”
Persistence
The beauty queen said she was overwhelmed with joy to see President Donald Ramotar on the front page of local newspapers commissioning the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s hospice for abused children.
Sieudarsan, who hails from the Number 69 Village, first appeared on the pageant scene as a delegate of the 2010 Miss Guyana Universe Pageant. She subsequently vied for the Miss Guyana India Worldwide crown in 2011. Her failure did not deter her spirit. Determined to be crowned queen, Sieudarsan applied to be the 2014 Miss Guyana India Worldwide earlier in the year. Of all the intellectuals and beauties that applied, Sieudarsan stood out. The Miss Guyana India Worldwide Franchise Holder Chandini Rambalak, supported by a panel, selected Sieudarsan.
But before Sieudarsan was crowned, Apsara, which is also owned by Ramnarine, put on a fascinating show, highlighting the rich Indian culture in Guyana. The Apsara Dance Troupe swept the audience off their feet with its enticing dance performance. The entertainment level went to a new high when upcoming artiste Andy Rattan took the microphone. His melodious voice left the elegantly dressed participants craving more.
But it became an emotional scene when Miss India Guyana 2013 Katherina Roshana took her last walk. Decked in an exquisite rose pink sari, Roshana gracefully walked about the hall.
In her final words as the reigning queen, Roshana said it was a privilege to serve the vulnerable population of Guyana, especially differently-able children. Tuesday night marked the end of an incredible chapter of her life, she said. As an Indian Ambassador of Guyana, she was given the opportunity to build on her potential, while being a positive influence in the lives of her peers and even the older folks.
The event was also attended by Miss Guyana World 2013 Ruquayyah Boyer and the recently crowned Miss Earth Guyana Stacy Ramcharan. The first Miss Guyana India Worldwide was selected in 2010 and Alana Seebarran won the global competition in 2012, bringing home Guyana’s first international pageant crown.
