It’s not every day that an Indian wins the crown at an international beauty pageant, and it’s just as rare to find a Goan making waves in the global pageant style scene.
However, both milestones were achieved last month at the prestigious Miss Grand International 2024 in Thailand, when Rachel Gupta, from Punjab, clinched the Miss Grand International 2024 title, while the stunning national costume she wore was designed by Goa’s renowned fashion designer, Melvyn Noronha.
This victory makes Rachel the first Indian to win the title of Miss Grand International.
She began her winning series in Grand India by winning the Best National Costume Award, which was designed by Siolim-based fashion designer and pageant mentor from Goa, Melvyn Noronha.
The costume was themed 'The Grand Princess Warrior of the Incredible Farmers,' highlighting the idea that everything that grows from the soil of Mother India is worth its weight in gold.
Since the beginning of society, farmers have been an integral part of our survival, and the fruits of India's fertile soil have been nurtured by the toil of its farmers, who, despite enduring countless wars, continue to face numerous challenges to this day.
The gold-themed costume celebrates the true worth of farmers and the richness of India's fertile soil.
The wings, shaped like growing crops, symbolise the abundance cultivated by our farmers. The golden drop shield represents the sweat, blood, and tears of those who work the land, underscoring the urgent need to protect their efforts.
The wings, shaped like growing crops, symbolise the abundance cultivated by our farmers.
The spear bears the blackbuck, the state animal of Punjab, symbolising the delicate balance between nature and agriculture, and the protection needed for both. It reflects how, with little support, farmers nourish millions of people.
Finally, the costume holds the blessings from the golden temple riding on a farmer's tractor, embodying the respect and gratitude owed to those who sustain the land.
In essence, the costume is a golden tribute to India's farmers and its fertile soil, viewed through the lens of Punjab.
The costume also features Nawat Itsaragrisil, the pioneering pageant organiser, who voices the theme 'Stop global wars'.
The silhouette incorporates a modern hooded scarf draped in a farmer’s basket weave, along with golden bangles and kaliras, symbolising that even in all feminine glory, true power comes from purposeful living.
In essence, the costume is a golden tribute to India's farmers and its fertile soil, viewed through the lens of Punjab, honouring the strength, resilience, and significance of those who nurture the land.
During the preparation process, Melvyn played a key role in strategic planning, which led to the innovative creation of the 'Aam Papad' — a unique product that was distributed as part of a children's charity initiative in Thailand.
This initiative aligned with the four main B's of the pageant — Beauty, Body, Brains and Business — embodying the spirit of creativity, philanthropy and entrepreneurship.
This victory makes Rachel the first Indian to win the title of Miss Grand International.
"Every pageant today has a strategy, because beauty is subjective. If you understand the requirements and the mindset of the organizations, you can always predict their definition of beauty and what appeals to them," said Melvyn.
"Rachel is the perfect Grand Queen because she embodies the beauty that the Thai and Asian markets love, from her gowns and glam to her hair and makeup," he added.
“Bringing such a significant achievement to my country fills me with immense pride and joy,” said Rachel, after she won the 12th Edition of the contest.
"Of course, winning the crown is just half of the journey; the real challenge now is to prove myself a worthy queen, and I am fully committed to doing so," she concluded.