–at inaugural Mrs. India Worldwide Pageant

LOCAL entrepreneur Samantha Singh was last Thursday night named the first ever Mrs. India Guyana at a coronation ceremony held at the Altitude Bar, Pegasus.The local beauty will go on to represent Guyana at the international Mrs. India Worldwide Pageant, scheduled for October 3-9 in New Jersey, USA.

This is also the first time such an event will ever be hosted, as the idea is to attract more mature delegates who may not fit the criteria for other pageants.
Mrs. India Guyana is being hosted under the aegis of the Miss India Guyana Organisation, which acquired the franchise in August this year.
National Director of the organisation, Uma Bux, said that given the short time in which to prepare for the upcoming pageant, a local one could not be held. Instead, invitations for applications were advertised for married women of Indian descent who may or may not have children. “The pageant gives more mature women who may not have been able to follow their pageant dreams while single the chance to do so, even though they may be married with children,” Uma said.
Following the receipt of applications, she noted that the stunningly beautiful Samantha was chosen after a vigorous shortlisting process, having been a well-known businesswoman and who is beautiful in and out.
“Samantha represents the Miss India Organisation Motto, ‘Radiantly beautiful inside and out’, so we are happy to have her represent this inaugural title,” Uma said.

AN HONOUR
In an interview with the Buzz, Samantha explained that it is more than an honour to have been chosen from among many other beautiful and qualified applicants to represent Guyana at this event.
Moreover, she is thrilled that she is also the first ever Mrs. India Guyana. A born businesswoman, 34-year-old Samantha co-founded and currently runs ‘Cellular Plus’, a cell-phone store and authorised Digicel dealership which has four locations in Georgetown.
She also manages two other businesses, and is currently working on establishing an Online boutique.
But business is more than what she is about. Speaking about her aspirations while holding the title, Samantha said that she sees this opportunity as a stepping stone; one which will help her to not only be seen as “Mrs. India Guyana”, but to set a legacy and to make a difference.
“I don’t want to live by labels; I want to break stereotypes, especially with regard to women empowerment, in terms of building bridges not walls amongst ourselves,” Samantha said.

GENDER EQUALITY
Gender equality is also high on her agenda. “I believe it’s not our place to judge, but rather we should show humility, respect and compassion to others’ choices and status and stature,” she said.
Acknowledging that her post will no doubt bring great responsibility, especially since as the first with this title, she will be expected to set a standard, Samantha said that she certainly intends to embrace those responsibilities. “This platform is my stepping stone in joining forces with NGOs and other entities… As one woman, I know I can make a difference; but with joined forces, we can also change the world…It is our duty to teach our children to make the world less cruel and heartless,” she said.
Going forward, the Miss India Organisation intends to create a mentorship programme, where Mrs. India Guyana delegates will work closely with Miss India Guyana delegates in an aim to provide guidance through experience.
Uma added that the Mrs India Franchise therefore brings about the opportunity to show the vastness of women empowerment and womanhood.
The recently crowned Miss India Guyana, Brittany Singh, will also compete from October 6-9 in New Jersey in the Miss India Worldwide Pageant.