JOWAI, OCT 4: Sanika S Phawa emerged as the winner of the 5th Miss Jowai Teenager pageant, with Joanna Pala finishing as first runner-up and Dasienika Challam as second runner-up.

The finale, organised by the Arts & Culture Committee of Dorbar Shnong Chutwakhu, Jowai, saw Phawa sweep four crowns including the main title along with Miss Beautiful Skin, Miss Photogenic and Best Evening Gown.

Challam bagged the Best State Costume award apart from her runner-up finish, while Pala was named Miss Intellectual.

In the other categories, Esanika Challam won dual honours of Miss Congeniality and Miss Glamorous, Pynskhemmi Rymbai was named Best Personality, Zephaniami Bareh won the Fashion Icon title and Ritrehaka Dkhar won Best Catwalk.

Phawa impressed the judges with her winning answer on women empowerment. 

“When women fix each other’s crown, they become one unstoppable force. We should not treat each other as competition but as sisterhood,” she said.

The jury comprised The Shillong Times Editor Patricia Mukhim, Naphisha Pala and Phiralin Nongbet.

The winners received cash prizes of Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively.