The 32nd edition of Miss Nagaland 2023 is scheduled to take place on December 8 at the Capital Cultural Hall in Kohima. Organized by the Beauty and Aesthetic Society of Nagaland (BASN) in collaboration with Atomy India and Antodya Skills Foundation as the title sponsor, the 14 contestants from different districts will vie for the prestigious crown.
President, BASN Mele Pucho, during a press conference at Hotel Ura on Friday informed that the winner of Miss Nagaland 2023 will receive a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, along with a direct entry to Miss Northeast and the opportunity to represent Nagaland nationally, complemented by gift hampers. The first runner-up will be awarded Rs 70,000, gift hampers, and a direct entry to Miss Northeast, while the second runner-up will receive Rs 50,000 and gift hampers.
Media and Press Secretary, BASN Sarah Konyak, highlighted that due to a resolution by the Eastern Naga Women Organisation in 2018, seven tribes from Eastern Nagaland will not participate. While Wokha had no representative due to the inability to organize the pageant and Miss Tokhü not meeting the prescribed criteria.
Tseiminyu will send its contestant after the district pageant on November 27. Pucho also states that BASN conducted open auditions, both live and online, to accommodate contestants from districts unable to host their respective beauty pageants.
The Miss Nagaland pageant, which has over the years become an integral extragavant to the annual International Hornbill Festival, is supported by the Tourism department.
BASN, as informed by the organisers is on a contemplative stage whether the pageant should be moved off the Hornbill Festival to provide more space for the event and accommodate contestants facing challenges with exams owing to the academic aspects of majority of the contestants.
The 2023 edition will be choreographed by former Miss Nagaland and Miss Northeast, who is currently the finance secretary Veineinem Singson Haolai.
Tickets for the event, priced at Rs 300, Rs 500, and Rs 1,000, will be available at various locations, including Symphony Cafe, D’Cafe, and others across Kohima.