Morung Express News 24 years old Kaheli Chophy from Akuluto, Zunheboto will be representing Nagaland in the Femina Miss India Contest to be held on June 25 in Mumbai along with other 29 participants from India. With the support of the Beauty and Aesthetics Society of Nagaland (BASN), Chophy is currently undergoing trainings on communication skills, ramp walk and grooming. Holding a press conference on May 12 at Dream Café, Melekhoto Pucho from BASN mentioned that this year the Femina Miss India group selected a representative each from the seven states in the North East region. In March, seven participants from Nagaland were sent for auditions in Guwahati where Kaheli Chophy was selected as the winner of Miss India Nagaland. Chophy was also the former first runners up in the Miss. Nagaland contest in 2014 as well as the first runners up in the Eclectic model hunt 2015. Thanking God and BASN for the opportunity, Kaheli Chophy said, “It is such a privilege and honour to be representing Nagaland in the national level. I realized the honour and responsibility of the title and I promise you all that I will give my best. It is going to be a tough competition as there are a lot of many other talented smart and confident girls all over India. I need your support, prayers and feedbacks.” Chophy also informed about the projects which she has to complete for the contest. On March 29, the Miss India Organisation held a crowning ceremony in Kolkata where the contestants were assigned three major projects that is gateways of Nagaland, Beauty with a purpose, and national costume. In the project in ‘Gateways of Nagaland’, Chophy has been assigned to showcase the Naga traditions and cultures, and its cuisines. While in the project on beauty with a purpose, Chophy is currently involved in charity works and visits in schools in remote areas. For the project on national costume, the BASN is helping her by arranging a designer for the costume. However, Chophy lamented that her projects, which were supposed to be completed has been delayed due to the lack of support and sponsorship, therefore she has appealed Nagas to support her in her endeavor. A special feature of the Femina Miss India contest is also the Miss Multimedia contest where the contestants will be awarded on the support based on social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The winner of the Miss Multimedia contest will directly be selected in the Top Ten finalists. “I request all our people to follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Like and Share it on your FB page because the one who wins the Miss Multimedia will directly get into the top ten finalists,” appealed Chophy. A voting system will also be held in June. During the press conference, Chophy also expressed the reservations of the Nagas in their support towards beauty contests and lamented over the lack of support of the people in the field of modeling. Although, the career is not supported by society or families, Chophy asserted that one can outshine in this field, as there is ample talent among the Naga women. “Other states such as Mizoram are very supportive of their contestants, but people are not so supportive,” said Chophy who assured that her hard work and determination will make a difference among the participants as she is “a lady who does not gives up easily”. The second Naga women to represent Nagaland in the Femina Miss India contest, after Akuonuo Khezhie in 2007, Chophy expressed that her participation is a great opportunity for Nagaland, as she will have the chance to represent the State and its people. Chophy completed her Post Graduate in Political Science from St. Peters’ College, Shillong and is currently residing in Dimapur. She will be leaving for Mumbai on May 25.
