Meyju Sonia Pradhan: From Sikkim’s Pride to Miss Universe India 2024

(First published in PAU, Newa Journal, Gangtok, Vol 6, No. 1: September 2024)

Meyju Sonia Pradhan, daughter of Bhaju Bishnu Pradhan and Meyju Leela Maya Pradhan, was born on 2nd November 2003. Currently pursuing her graduation at Nar Bahadur Bhandari Degree College, she has already made a name for herself in the pageant world.

Sonia was the 2nd runner-up in Miss Newar 2023 and also shone brightly as the 2nd runner-up in the Meyju Sikkim 2023 competition held during Indra Jatra 2023. Hailing from Tumlabong, Ranipool, she proudly claimed the title of Miss Universe Sikkim 2024 at the event organized by Positude Sikkim, where Anavi Baniya from Rangpo and Yodenla Bhutia from Soreng were crowned 1st and 2nd runner-up, respectively.

Now, Meyju Sonia is all set to represent the Himalayas region on the national stage at Miss Universe India 2024. Her journey, beginning on 9th September and continuing until 22nd September in Jaipur, Rajasthan, will see her competing with the top 51 contestants from across the country.

As Sikkim’s pride, we extend our wholehearted support to Sonia, hoping she shines brightly and brings glory to her state. We wish her all the best as she embarks on this prestigious journey, with aspirations to represent India at the Miss Universe pageant.

Let us all cheer for our Meyju as she takes on this incredible challenge!

Comments

The legend of April "73" Agitation in Sikkim

I was not born when Sikkim got merged with the mighty Indian Union, but being a student of Sikkim History, all that is available to me is a rack of books by different authors and those old folks who had been part of that historical “April ‘73’ Agitation”. When I go through the history of Sikkim, April ‘73 Agitation holds an important role, mostly as the turning point of the Independent Sikkim and the Sikkim State. The mass demonstrations against the Chogyal rule shocked the 300-year-old monarchy system and ushered in democratic rule in Sikkim. The agitation was a result “due to big differences which ensued with the demand of repoll in one booth by Kazi Lhendup Dorji and Mr. Krishna Chandra Pradhan, as such the Chogyal had to face the people’s agitation launched by the Joint Action Committee with the tacit blessings of the Government of India. This people’s political movement spearheaded by Kazi Lhendup Dorji finally resulted in Sikkim joining the mainstream as the 22nd State...

Danny Denzongpa : A Pride of Sikkim

Born : February 25 , 1948 , Yuksom Real Name: Tshering Phinsto Bhutia Danny Denzongpa was named by Jaya Bhaduri Wife: Gawa Son: Rinzing Daughter: Pema Primary education: Geysing Learnt Hindi in : Birla School , Nainital (1964) Graduation: St. Joshepp’s College, Darjeeling (B.Sc (BioScience) Danny Denzongpa participated in republic parade at Delhi in his college days. Won Governor’s Silver Medal as best NCC cadet. Acting course: Film and Television Institute of India in Pune Graduated with a Master of Arts (1st Class) in Dramatics First Film (Hindi): Mere Apne (1971) First song (Hindi): Sunno Sunno kasam se (with Asha Bhonsle in Kala Sona ) First Nepali film in Sikkim : Mashaal Popular Nepali Songs : chiso chiso hawa mah, Kanchi lai ghumauney Kathmandu sahahrah , Rato Rani Phule, hui bhanda chiso and Mann koh kura lai badhi narakha , Sunah katha euta...

Pandam Garhi and its surmise

--> RUINS OF PANDAM GARHI BY SHITAL PRADHAN The stories of the legendary ruined walls at Pandam, a 16 km uphill climb from Rangpo, as I had heard from old folks a few seasons back, had ever since excited me to visit this place. Never in the pages of a history book do we come across its talk about when it was built or how it was constructed at the top of the hill? Over the years, many theories have evolved regarding its origin. Some theorists associate the fort with some Lepcha legends, while few disagree with it and have their own adage. They make us believe one of the Chogyals constructed it to stop the approaching Bhutanese army from entering Sikkim. The last theory to add up, already baffling and controversial, says it was one of the Gurkha Generals from Nepal who constructed the fort along with the Kalika Mandir, also called Nishani Mandir, just below it. With each theory making questions over my mind, I decided to have my second trek to the Pandam Garhi. I had ...

Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

Search This Blog