USA (Commonwealth Union)_ Rijul Maini, a 24-year-old medical student hailing from Michigan, clinched the title of Miss India USA 2023 during the annual pageant held in New Jersey. The event also saw the recognition of Sneha Nambiar from Massachusetts as Mrs. India USA and Saloni Rammohan from Pennsylvania as Miss Teen India USA. The popular pageant marks its 41st anniversary this year, which stands as the longest-running Indian pageant outside of India.
Founded by New York-based Indian-Americans Dharmatma and Neelam Saran under the brand of Worldwide Pageants, the event has become a significant platform for Indian-American women. Maini, an aspiring medical student and model, expressed her ambition to become a surgeon and be a source of inspiration for women everywhere. The first runner-up was Greeshma Bhat from Virginia, and the second runner-up was Ishita Pai Raikar from North Carolina.
On winning the title, Maini credited her victory to her family and friends. She penned, “I am definitely happy to have won the Miss India USA 2023 pageant. I also express my gratitude for it. Nothing was possible without the support of my parents and family. The directors of the Michigan Pageant and my friends. It has given me valuable support in this journey”. Maini took to Instagram and wrote, “I attribute this win to my loving parents and family, Michigan pageant directors, and ride or die friends that stuck with me every step of the way. They say it takes a village, and that couldn’t be more true!.” Moreover, she specially thanked her amazingly talented mother for stunningly designing her outfits for the pageant.
The pageant featured the participation of 57 contestants from over 25 states, engaging in three distinct categories: Miss India USA, Mrs. India USA, and Miss Teen India USA. The winners in all three categories will receive complimentary air tickets to participate in the Miss,Mrs, and Teen India Worldwide competition organized by the same group. Dharmatma Saran, founder and chairman of Worldwide Pageants, expressed gratitude to the global Indian community for their steadfast support over the years. He said, “I am very much thankful to Indian community around the world for their support over the years”. Overall, the pageant serves not only as a showcase of beauty and talent but also as a celebration of the rich cultural diversity within the Indian diaspora in the United States.
