19-year-old Bendangienla from Mangkolemba, a third-semester student at Fazl Ali College, was crowned Miss Mokokchung 2025 at a glittering pageant held at the Town Hall, Mokokchung on Tuesday evening. 23 years old Temsulila Longkumer from Longjang and 22 years old Putusenla Aier from Süngratsü were adjudged the first and second runners-up respectively.
After a hiatus of three years, the Grand Finale of Miss Mokokchung 2025 returned with great anticipation. The event was organized by Forerunners Mokokchung under the aegis of the Mokokchung District Arts and Culture Council (MDACC) under the theme “Beyond Beauty.”
The new Miss Mokokchung 2025 was given a cash award of ₹50,000, sponsored by the District Hub for Empowerment of Women and the District Administration under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative. Bendangienla will serve as the face of BBBP and the brand ambassador of MDACC, and will receive grooming support from Talent Foresight. With her win, she also earns a direct entry to Miss Nagaland 2025.
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During the common question round for the Top 4 finalists, the contestants were asked what they would like to do during their reign if they won the Miss Mokokchung title, to which,
Bendangienla replied, “If I am honoured to be crowned Miss Mokokchung 2025 tonight, I would advocate my purpose which I have promised myself — to raise the voice for those whose voices are numb and whose dreams are being ignored. Also, I would like to represent my district not only regionally but also at the national or even a universal level, and do my best for my community while trying to uplift and raise my district in comparison with other communities.”
A civil servant and an influencer aspirant, Bendangienla’s win marks the commencement of her aspirations and advocacy.
The 1st Runner-up Temsulila Longkumer, who holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and aspires to become a child psychologist, was awarded ₹30,000 sponsored by Urban Oasis Supermart while 2nd Runners-up Putusenla Aier, a graduate and an entrepreneur with ambitions of becoming a supermodel won ₹20,000 sponsored by Ari Homestay, Dimapur.
Alemlila from Chuchuyimpang, who also made it to the Top 4, was awarded the Best Ramp Walk subtitle.
Jentiren Jamir, the reigning Femina Miss India Nagaland, who was earlier appointed by the MDACC as its official district representative to Miss Nagaland, took her final walk at the Miss Mokokchung 2025 grand finale, symbolically passing on the crown as the district witnessed the emergence of a new queen.
The show was graced by Imyapangla, Project Director, District Rural Development Agency, and Vitolu, EAC, Mokokchung as guests of honour.
The event also saw the crowning of 10 subtitle winners — Best Ethnic Wear –Yangerkumla, Miss Congeniality –Putusenla, Miss Talented –Sentikala, Miss Beautiful Smile –Bendangienla, Miss Beautiful Skin –Temsulila Longkumer, Miss Perfect 10 –Putusenla, Queen of Hearts –Temsulila Longkumer, Beautiful Hair –Putibenla, Best Ramp Walk –Alemlila, Miss Photogenic –Imnasenla.
A special highlight of the show was the Tribute Runway segment that celebrated former Ao beauty queens who have made their mark in pageantry since 1992. The beauty queens including Tiarenla Jamir, Sashinungla Nathan, Akumnaro, Imsulemla Aier, Jemtisungla Jamir, Ayusangla Jamir, and Jentiren Jamir walked the runway in tribute.
Tiaras for the winners were sponsored by Imlibenla Wati Nienu, bouquets by Artemis, and gift hampers by Ari Homestay, Dimapur. Sentiyabang, Proprietor of El-dora Hotel, was the Chief Hospitality Sponsor.
President of the Northeast Beauty Pageant Organization and the Beauty and Aesthetic Society of Nagaland (BASN) Mele Pucho, who was one of the judges, shared insights on the judging process.
Speaking on behalf of the judging panel, he clarified that the winners are selected basing on many criteria. “A common misconception is that the best speaker or the one who answers best wins the title. But in reality, judges follow a long list of criteria — maybe 20 or more — including walk, choreography, stage presence, and how contestants carry themselves,” he said. “The judging of the Top 4 was not easy, as each judge has different perspectives. But through collective discussion and scoring, the winners were selected,” he added, while appreciating the efforts and performances of all the contestants.
The panel of judges included Asola Ozukum, Mele Pucho, Shyamanga Kashyap – director Miss Assam Organisation & talent scout Femina Miss India, Chanchui Khayi – Femina Miss India Manipur 2024, Akshatha Das – Femina Miss India Kerala 2024, and
Imlibenla Wati Nienu – former Miss Mokokchung Runner-Up, Miss Asia Pacific India 2016 global pageant representative, and president of Forerunners Nagaland.
The grand finale of Miss Mokokchung 2025 show was choreographed and groomed under the expertise of Peweü Tunyi Khamo, official groomer and choreographer, who also serves as a pageant coach and director at Talent Foresight. The event was directed by Neitho Khamo, co-founder of Talent Foresight.
The evening also featured a lineup of performances by both guest and local artists including Moko Koza, Tiameren Aier, and Mezanüo Ngukha, while featured performances came from Impang Jamir, Mokokchung Dance Community, Mokokchung Class of Music, Lirosen Akum Nokdir, and Aküm K Jamir.
