The grand finale of Miss Northeast 2022 will be held on 3 November at State Cultural Hall, Kohima at 5pm. This was announced by Beauty and Aesthetics Society of Nagaland (BASN) today in a press conference held here at Cafe Bela, Kohima.

BASN Media Secretary Sarah Na-am asserted that Miss Northeast is initiated by North East Beauty Pageant Organisation (NEBPO), presented by BASN and sponsored by the Government of Nagaland.

NEPBO was formed in April this year, a conglomeration of all the eight Northeastern states’ official State Beauty Pageant organisers.

The first edition of Miss Northeast will be hosted by Nagaland, Na-am said and added that the winners and 1st runner up of all the eight states will be competing for the prestigious title.

Altogether there will be 15 contestants as one contestant from Tripura will not be able to make it this time, she informed.

The 15 contestants will be arriving in Kohima on 26 October and will undergo eight days of grooming session, Na-am added.

BASN President Mele Pucho stated that preparations were underway for Miss NE and that BASN intends to showcase the best of Nagaland by bringing in the best designers and artists and by showcasing the rich culture, heritage and traditions of the Nagas.

Stating that Miss NE will take place annually and on a rotational basis, he added that the next Miss NE will be held in Sikkim.

Pucho informed that various activities have been lined up for the beauty queens during the eight days before the grand finale. This includes a charity event in the main town of Kohima where the funds raised will be donated to Children’s Home and special children and a visit to Pfutsero, Phek where the girls will experience village life and authentic Naga food. In Pfutsero, the girls will also interact with the Chakhesang Women Welfare Society who are engaged in weaving traditional Naga attires and making reusable sanitary napkins.

Pucho added that the contestants will also visit historic sites in Kohima during the session.

He further said there will be four rounds in the finale – ethnic round, two designer rounds and one evening gown round. Ethnic round will be the most important round as all the Miss Northeast contestants will be showcasing their own culture, Pucho said.

The BASN president also informed that a pay per view live streaming of the grand finale will be made available so that people who are unable to attend the event can watch it virtually.

On behalf of BASN, he expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and the Nagaland government for sponsoring the event.

Besides the four judges from the state, the guest judge for Miss NE will be Dr Sagar J Abichandani, a celebrity dentist and well-known Pageant Smile Expert including Femina Miss India. He is also recipient of numerous prestigious awards nationally and internationally with various articles published under his name in different dental journals.

The official choreographer will be Theja Sekhose and official designers will be Neisa Rupreo and Kivitoli Chishi.

The winner will receive a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakh sponsored by Floyd Hyundai and Vuto Hyundai. The 1st runner up will be awarded Rs 1 lakh, sponsored by MLA Imkong L Imchen and 2nd runner will get Rs 70,000, sponsored by Hero Anak Motors Kohima.

There will be six subtitle winners who will receive a cash prize of Rs 20,000 each along with gift hampers.

The hospitality partner for Miss NE is Niathu Hotels & Resorts.

BASN also informed that tickets to the Miss Northeast 2022 finale are prized at Rs 1000 and Rs 500 and will be available at Symphony Cafe, Kohima and at the venue on the day of the event.