AN aspiring teacher of Islington, East Bank Berbice was crowned Miss Berbice 2018 when the second annual pageant was hosted at the Albion Sports Complex on Saturday evening.
Twenty-one-year-old Rameshwarie Devi Jairam competed among eight other beautiful delegates and walked away with the coveted title. Delegate Number Three, Cintiana Harry of Kilcoy Village, Corentyne emerged the First Runner-Up. She also won Best Costume and Best Evening Gown. Omecia Bindah finished in the Second Runner-Up spot and Jamace Alexis Hinds in the Third Runner-Up position.

The eight delegates enthralled the stage set on the Tarmac of the Albion Sports Complex to showcase their talent, costume, swimsuit and intelligent segment. Their platforms were presented on several pressing social issues as they each tried to their best to convince the judges and entertained the audience.

At the conclusion of the swimsuit, costume and talent segment, each of the delegates graced the stage in their evening dresses designed by local designers. The dresses represented the delegate’s individual platforms and served to highlight and promote to the various issues.

Jairam wore a dress by local designer Jason Shurland. The unique masterpiece designed with crystals and beads was specially created to fit to perfection and for a “powerful woman”. Harry graced the stage with a designer gown by Randy Madray,the exquisite white gown embellished with thousands of emeralds and rhinestones copped the Best Gown prize. Bindah captivated the audience with her “Confidence with no regrets” design by Francois Designs. The blush pink ensemble represented the young lady’s vibrant smile and positive thinking while the gold represented hard work and determination.

Hinds wore a turquoise and red design by Carl Peterkin. T

he dress was uniquely done to exemplify a woman who is confident, resilient, courageous and talented. Hinds’ platform was domestic violence, as such, the hint of red on her dress represented the women who are fighting against domestic violence, while the turquoise symbolised that there is better tomorrow.

Speaking with The Buzz, Jairam related she intends to continue to advocate using her platform of women empowerment, and will work closely with the other delegates and the Miss Berbice pageant team in an effort to ensure young women are empowered.
The final question that was directed to the young lady was to explain women empowerment to high school students. In her response, she explained, “Women empowerment is having a woman recognise her capabilities and her strengths and to explain to high school students about woman empowerment. I would say it is a way of finding a solution and a way to empower yourself in every way possible whether it’s through education, work and it is your mindset on your capabilities and your strengths.” The answer was met with loud applause from the audience.

The eloquent young lady is currently pursuing studies in Data Operations at the Vryman’s Erven Training Centre and as part of the programme, she currently does work study at the Blood Bank, New Amsterdam Hospital. Jairam, who was sponsored by Top Brands Distributors through its Madelo Beer Brand, expressed profound gratitude to the Miss Berbice pageant team, her sponsors, designer, Jason Shurland, family and fellow delegates for the support throughout the pageant. She also walked away with the prizes for Miss Congeniality,Best Smile, Miss Intelligent and Best Talent.

She noted that the pageant has been an amazing experience and one that has impacted the lives of many. She posited the bond shared with the other delegates will always remain as they all vowed to continue to work together.

“After seeing the impact the pageant made and what it did for other girls I decided to enter. I took the opportunity because I knew I wanted to impact lives and wanted to encourage young women like myself to pursue something that would give you an introduction for what you really stand for and what you really want for your life.”

Speaking on why she chose her platform, Jairam explained, “It’s personal to me and I wanted to bring that personal experience to the table…. I wanted a way to show girls that if you put your mind to it then you can do so much and not let people, tradition, culture and bad situations hold you back because it’s something for you so I wanted to show that even though I had so many things that could have held me,I still wanted to make my future better.”