Gracey Nandy won the Miss Shillong 2024 title at a dazzling ceremony, showcasing her poise and social commitment, while inspiring young women through her journey in pageantry.
Shillong:In a spectacular ceremony held at the U Soso Tham Auditorium on October 31, Gracey Nandy was crowned Miss Shillong 2024, a moment she described as surreal, especially seeing her proud, emotional parents in the audience. The St. Edmund’s College student triumphed in what she called “the strongest batch” of contestants, earning a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.Gracey’s journey to the crown has been heavily influenced by her accomplished elder sister, a trailblazer in pageantry. Reflecting on her inspiration, Gracey recalled watching the Miss Shillong pageant in 2019 from the audience, where she first felt a spark of ambition as she admired the contestants’ grace and confidence.Describing her preparation for the pageant, Gracey emphasized the importance of mental readiness. “The biggest preparation was mental,” she noted, highlighting the months of intense training she underwent with unwavering support from her family, particularly her grandparents, who motivated her daily to refine her skills.Balancing college with pageant rehearsals was a test of her time management and determination. “The last week was overwhelming, but it taught me how resilient we can be when dedicated to our goals,” Gracey shared.During the final round, when posed with a thought-provoking question about the future impact of artificial intelligence, Gracey’s insightful response resonated with the judges: “AI is beneficial for humanity, but it will never replace the human touch, love, and, most importantly, our humanity. AI will always remain a tool.”Beyond the glamour of the stage, Gracey is passionate about empowering others. She actively helps her mother train underprivileged young women in basic beauty skills, enabling them to pursue their livelihoods. This commitment to social change underscores her dedication to making a meaningful difference in her community.The event also celebrated other talented contestants, with Mahima Sinha crowned first runner-up, winning Rs 75,000, and Loretta Laloo taking second runner-up honors with a prize of Rs 50,000. Emotional moments were shared as last year’s winner, Chaivalry Lartang, passed the crown to Gracey.Special awards were presented, with Angelina Jackson and Loretta Laloo winning the Viewer’s Choice title through online voting. Gracey’s captivating presence also earned her the Miss Sparkling Eyes title, alongside other category winners.Looking forward, Gracey aims to compete in higher-level pageants and modeling opportunities while remaining focused on her studies and community work, demonstrating her ambition and grounded nature.
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