Bendangienla crowned Miss Mokokchung 2025

Bendangienla, a 19-year-old from Khar Village and resident of Mangkolemba, was crowned Miss Mokokchung 2025 at a glittering ceremony held at the Town Hall, Mokokchung on July 22. Currently a third-semester student at Fazl Ali College, Bendangienla took home a cash prize of Rs.50,000, sponsored by the District Hub for Empowerment of Women and the District Administration under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative.
As the new Miss Mokokchung, she will serve as the face of BBBP and the brand ambassador of the Mokokchung District Arts and Culture Council (MDACC), receiving professional grooming support from Talent Foresight.
Organised by Forerunners Mokokchung under the aegis of MDACC, this year’s pageant was held under the theme “Beyond Beauty.” The event was graced by Project Director, District Rural Development Agency Imyapangla and Vitolu, who attended as Guests of Honour.
During the final question round, Bendangienla pledged to advocate for those whose voices go unheard and to represent Mokokchung at regional, national, and even global platforms.
The event also saw 23-year-old Temsulila Longkumer from Longjang Village being crowned 1st Runners-up. Holding a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, she aspires to become a child psychologist and received Rs. 30,000 sponsored by Urban Oasis Supermart.
The 2nd Runners-up title went to 22-year-old Putusenla Aier from Süngratsü Village. An aspiring supermodel and entrepreneur, she won Rs. 20,000 sponsored by Ari Homestay, Dimapur.
This year’s pageant crowned 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 and Miss Photogenic: Imnasenla.
The competition featured three segments: the Ethnic Wear-cum-Introduction Round curated by the contestants, the Designer Cocktail Round by Manen Jamir, and the Evening Gown Round designed by ΗΜ ΗΜΙΝGMAWII.
A special highlight of the evening was the Tribute Runway segment honouring former Ao beauty queens who have made their mark on pageantry since 1992. Esteemed former queens including Tiarenla Jamir, Sashinungla Nathan, Akumnaro, Imsulemla Aier, Jemtisungla Jamir, Ayusangla Jamir, and Jentiren Jamir took the runway in tribute.
The panel of judges included Asola Ozukum, Mele Pucho (President, North East Beauty Pageant Organization & Beauty & Aesthetic Society of Nagaland), Shyamanga Kashyap (Director, Miss Assam Organisation & Talent Scout, Femina Miss India), Chanchui Khayi (Femina Miss India Manipur 2024, Sushma Swaraj Awardee 2023, Sunsilk Mega Miss NE 2023), Akshatha Das (Femina Miss India Kerala 2024 and renowned TV presenter), and Imlibenla Wati Nienu (Miss Asia Pacific India 2016 and President of Forerunners Nagaland).
The Grand Finale was choreographed and groomed by Peweü Tunyi Khamo, official groomer and pageant coach at Talent Foresight, and directed by Neitho Khamo, Show Director and co-founder of Talent Foresight.
The evening also featured performances by guest artists Moko Koza, Tiameren Aier, and Mezanüo Ngukha, alongside local acts by Impang Jamir, Mokokchung Dance Community, Mokokchung Class of Music, Lirosen Akum Nokdir, and Aküm K. Jamir.