By Staff Correspondent

The run-up to the recently concluded Mrs India Beauty Queen (MIBQ) pageant was as thrilling as the finale. This year the pageant, which was held from September 5 to 8 in Chandigarh, saw 23 contestants from across the country vie for the title.
According to Bir Kaur Dhillon, Director, MIBQ Pageants, this edition of the pageant saw contestants from Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Dr Vandana Thakur was crowned Mrs India Beauty Queen 2018 at the finale held at The Radisson in Zirakpur. The first runners-up title went to Shraddha Tomar, who was also declared Mrs Indian Ocean Globe. Jigeesha won the second runners-up title while the third runners-up position went to Mrs Punjab and Mrs Congeniality – Divjyot Kaur.

Dr Vandana will compete internationally at Mrs Globe 2018, which will be held later this year in China. The first runners-up will represent India at the Mrs Indian Ocean contest while the second runners-up will represent India at the Mrs India United Nations to be held in Canada.

The first MIBQ pageant was held in 2014. The pageant hopes to empower women and enrich opportunities for personal growth. It also inspires women of diverse backgrounds and cultures to come together nationally and internationally, support lifelong commitment to uplifting those in need and develop a sense of global responsibility. The pageant winners are chosen from various rounds like ethnic wear round, swimsuit round, formal gown round, IQ rounds etc.

The pageant’s organizer, Bir Kaur Dhillon, who won the Mrs India Globe title in 2013, is a fashion designer in Vancouver, Canada. She is passionate about celebrating womanhood while creating awareness about two causes that are closest to her heart: gender equality and restoration of our ancient monuments. Bir has been a crusader for both these causes through her fashion campaigns, endorsements, and participation in fashion shows and global pageants. She wears multiple hats and is lovingly referred to as ‘supermom’ by her family.
Proceeds collected from the event shall also go to Women on Women Welfare (WOWW) Foundation that empowers women and girls to lead a life of dignity and respect. WOWW provides them with education and vocational training to become independent and gain self confidence.
“Our firm belief is that financial independence brings economic and social independence. For this we have been working for over a decade in Patiala district, whereby we are providing education to the girl child and vocational training to elderly women. Sewing machines have also been provided,” informed Rose Kaur Chauhan, Founder, WOWW Foundation.