Picture this: a spectacular evening in Dubai where Mangalorean women from across the Middle East shone like stars, celebrating empowerment, elegance, and heritage at the crowning glory of the ‘Mangalore Diva Middle East Miss & Mrs 2025.’ It was more than just a beauty contest—it was a heartfelt tribute to resilience and cultural pride. But here's where it gets controversial: while some hail pageants as beacons of self-confidence and inspiration, others argue they perpetuate outdated beauty standards. What do you think? Is this true empowerment, or just a glamorous facade? Dive in to discover the full story and decide for yourself.
The grand finale of the Mangalore Diva Middle East Miss & Mrs 2025 took place on November 1 at the luxurious Hotel Ramee Dream Downtown in Dubai, transforming the venue into a hub of excitement and admiration. Ronald Colaco and Jean Colaco gracefully crowned the victorious titleholders, while Lanchu Lal from Astra Group and Samata Amin bestowed honors upon the runners-up. This event, masterminded by Priya Fernandes of Priya Fashions, collaborated seamlessly with Dechamma Poonacha, Sabitha Carlo, Gautham Bangera, and dedicated team members Pavithra Shetty and Manoj Shetty.
To set the stage for success, participants underwent a two-day intensive program focused on grooming and building self-confidence. Expert sessions were led by Rhea Gopal, the visionary behind Movementerra, who guided on holistic wellness; Preeti D’Souza, emphasizing self-awareness for personal growth; and Laxmi Sherin, who boosted confidence while introducing the event's founding team. This preparation wasn't just about looking good—it was about feeling empowered from within, helping these women carry themselves with poise in all aspects of life.
The night was a vibrant celebration of beauty, poise, and talent among women of Mangalorean descent living in the Middle East. Contestants dazzled in three distinctive rounds: Ethnic, Fusion, and Western, captivating an enthusiastic crowd with displays of fashion, cultural traditions, and unshakeable confidence. Think of it as a bridge between heritage and modernity—showcasing sarees or traditional attire from their roots in Tulunadu (a coastal region in Karnataka, India, known for its Tulu-speaking communities and rich cultural tapestry), blending styles in fusion outfits, and strutting in contemporary Western gowns.
In the Mrs. Category, the champions were:
- Winner: Minu Jose
- 1st Runner-up: Nayana Shetty
- 2nd Runner-up: Asmitha Kotian
For the TIA Miss Category, the top spots went to:
- Winner: Tanushree Shetty
- 1st Runner-up: Shirley Crasta
- 2nd Runner-up: Cynthia D’Souza
And this is the part most people miss: beyond the main winners, there were special subtitle awards that highlighted unique strengths, adding layers of recognition for qualities like creativity and charisma. In the Miss Category, these included:
- Miss Confident Diva: Anusaya D’Souza Joseph
- Miss Congeniality: Nikitha Jogi
- Miss Catwalk Diva: Viola Lilly Alva
- Miss Best Personality: Cynthia D’Souza
- Miss Diva Fashion Icon: Tanushree Shetty
- Miss Fitness Diva: Tianna Mathias
- Miss Runway Diva: Tanya Sabnis
- Miss Photogenic Diva: Shirley Crasta
- Miss Creative Diva: Ishani Guruprasad
- Miss Dazzling Smile: Larissa Fedric Quadros
In the Mrs. Category, the subtitle winners were:
- Mrs Confident Diva: Janice Leena Gonzalves
- Mrs Congeniality: Prema Fernandes
- Mrs Catwalk Diva: Vinaya Tilak Shetty
- Mrs Best Personality: Nayana Shetty
- Mrs Diva Fashion Icon: Ashmitha Kotian
- Mrs Fitness Diva: Valerie Fernandes
- Mrs Runway Diva: Preethi Seema
- Mrs Photogenic Diva: Minu Jose
- Mrs Creative Diva: Venecia Crasto
- Mrs Dazzling Smile: Laveena K B
The top three in each category walked away with exciting rewards: cash prizes, thoughtfully curated gift hampers, and useful vouchers. But wait, there's more—the overall winners in each category get an incredible perk: a chance to star in an upcoming Tulu-language movie! That's right, from the runway to the silver screen. Additionally, the Miss Category victor will be the official face of Priya Fashions for the next season, while the Mrs Category winner becomes the ambassador for the Mangalore Diva event itself. These opportunities not only reward their achievements but also open doors to new adventures in modeling and entertainment.
The evening was enriched by distinguished guests, including Dr. Ronald Colaco and Jean Colaco, Lanchu Lal (CEO of Astra Group), Dr. Bu Abdullah (chairman of Bu Abdullah Group), and Kannan Ravi (founder and chairman of Kannan Ravi Group), who served as chief guests. The judging panel featured esteemed experts: Meena Nirmala, Bhavana Santhosh, Siddharth Shetty, Lavita Crasta, Chaithra Shetty, Savitha Anchan, and Dr. Priyadarshin, who meticulously evaluated participants across all aspects of the competition.
VVIP and celebrity attendees added an extra sparkle. VVIPs included Joywin from Thumbay Institute of Aesthetic – TIA, Sharat Shet of S L Shet Diamond House, Rich Rose the official florist, Michael from Ivory Grand, Meena Nirmala and Bhavana Santhosh from Al Inekas Beauty Salon, representatives from Resort Supplies, and Gold Link. Celebrities like Roopesh Shetty, Samata Amin, and Vineet Kumar brought their fame, alongside guests of honor Maher Al Khaja and Weincita Dias.
Hosting duties were handled with flair by Errol Edwin Goveas and Sweeny Maria D’Souza. The show kicked off with a mesmerizing ramp walk by Deuela Patsy Paul in a breathtaking white gown crafted by Priya Fashions Boutique. Contestants paid homage to their Tulunadu roots in the Ethnic Wear Round, transitioned to innovative blends in the Fusion Round (featuring creations by Jeevan Ghatti of Mantra – Mangaluru), and concluded with sophistication in the Western Round (showcasing elegant designs from Priya Fashions Boutique). To keep the energy high, the Dance Central troupe delivered an electrifying performance.
Backing the event were media partners Daijiworld TV and Karnataka News, along with social media collaborators Moms of Mangalore, VJ Dixon, and Hera Pinto. Support partners lent their expertise: Ashwini and Mohan from Dream Destination, One More Rep, Praveen Shetty of Kudla Restaurant, New Look Salon, The Artist by Nichola Dafney, Akshaya Handlooms, and Smart Look – Bespoke. Their involvement ensured everything ran smoothly, from logistics to promotion.
This wasn't just a pageant; it was a night steeped in glamour and empowerment. The organizers—Priya Fernandes, Dechamma Poonacha, Sabitha Carlo, Gautham Bangera, Pavithra Shetty, and Manoj Shetty—expressed deep gratitude to sponsors, partners, and participants, noting that “Mangalore Diva Middle East Miss & Mrs. 2025” serves as a powerful platform to honor the strength, allure, and cultural heritage of Mangalorean women in the Middle East. The event wrapped up with resounding applause, joyous celebrations, and a strong sense of community, creating cherished memories for everyone involved.
Curious to see the magic firsthand? Check out the full show on YouTube at https://youtu.be/-iqheYTx_b8
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But let's stir the pot a bit more: In a world quick to judge beauty contests as superficial or even harmful, this event flips the script by focusing on confidence-building and cultural celebration. Is this a step forward for women's empowerment, or does it still reinforce narrow ideals of beauty? Do you see pageants like this as inclusive and uplifting, or outdated and exclusionary? Share your thoughts in the comments—agree or disagree, I'd love to hear your take!
