Meenakshi Chaudhary from India crowned 1st runner-up at Miss Grand International 2018
Peru, Oct 25: Clara Sosa of Paraguay was crowned Miss Grand International 2018 at the 6th edition of the prestigious pageant held at Myanmar that called for peace across the world.
Clara Sosa succeeds Miss Grand International 2017 Maria Jose Lora of Peru. At the same event, fbb Colors Femina Miss Grand India 2018 Meenakshi Chaudhary was adjudged (1st runner up), Miss Grand Indonesia Nadia Purwoko (2nd runner up), Miss Grand Puerto Rico Nicole Colon was adjudged (3rd runner up), and Miss Grand Japan Haruka Oda was adjudged (4th runner up.)
The show began with all the finalists who were vying for the Miss Grand International 2018 crown parading in black costumes performing a dance number alongside the reigning winner. The host for the evening then announced the winner of national costume which was awarded to Miss Grand Peru 2018 Andrea Moberg. The finalists then took center stage as confirmed quarter finalists of the evening. India's Meenakshi Chaudhary was also part of the Top 20 contingent. The second stage witnessed the finalists walk the ramp in stunning Miss Grand International swimsuits.
Thereafter, the quarter finalists were trimmed down to Top 10 semi-finalists. The lineup also included Miss Grand India Meenakshi Chaudhary, Miss Grand Dominic Republic, Miss Grand Paraguay, Miss Grand México, Miss Grand Venezuela, Miss Grand Spain, Miss Grand Puerto Rico, Miss Grand Indonesia, Miss Grand Japan, and Miss Grand Vietnam.
The next segment was all about the Top 10 finalists slaying the ramp in some mesmerizing evening gowns which was one of the highlights of the evening. The pageant finale also witnessed a tear eyed emotional message from the outgoing queen Maria Jose Lora to the fans as she thanked everyone for their constant encouragement. Subsequently, the contestants were further narrowed down to Top 5 finalists which included Miss Grand Puerto Rico Nicole Colon, Miss Grand Japan, Haruka Oda, Miss Grand Paraguay Clara Sosa, Miss Grand India Meenakshi Chaudhary, and Miss Grand Indonesia. Nadia Purwoko.
The shortlisted contestants then gave their final speech for Stop the War and Violence. In the end, Clara Sosa clinched the coveted crown after defeating numerous contestants from around the globe. The pageant also witnessed a number of sub contests which was won by the following finalists.
Best Swimsuit - Miss Grand Cuba Gladys Carrodeguas.
Miss Popular Vote - Miss Grand Vietnam Nga Phuong Bui.
Best National Costume - Miss Grand Peru Andrea Moberg
Best Social Media - Miss Grand Indonesia Nadia Purwoko.
Best Evening Gown - Miss Grand Thailand Moss Namoey Chanaphan.
Courtesy: beautypageants.indiatimes.com
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
