Chicago, Illinois student crowned Miss India Worldwide 2009
In a typical Bollywood fashion, the 24 young girls's performances lit the evening

Durban, Feb. 15, 2009
Sundar Sharma

NRI Nikkitasha Marhawa, 19, from Chicago, US, communications student, was named Miss India Worldwide 2009 by an international panel of judges. She was crowned by 2008 winner Shagun Sarabhai in Durban on Saturday. She beat 24 participants from all over the world and was cheered by over 2,000 people in a glittering function of the 18th Miss India Worldwide .

Darmathma Saran of New York, Chairman and founder of the Miss India Woldwide Pageant said:

• This pageant was a unifying factor for NRIs & Indians living in 200 countries around the world. The total 25 countries has participated this year and was a record. I am confident that we will have 30 next year.
• He thanks all people who traveled to Durban for the event, even non-participating countries.
• Shugan Sarabhai, 2008 winner, from Mumbai crowned this year's winning trio in a glittering ceremony.

Nikkitasha Marhawa said:

• She was delighted that the victory will give her a platform to work in communities which were disadvantaged around the world.
• It was a fascinating experience which earned me many friends. It had made me even more committed to the cause of Indian people and Indians living abroad, the greater human kind

In Questions and answers by the judges to participants, she really impressed to judges by saying that how she would choose between a modeling career or a family life, she replied: "A modeling career is fairly short, about five to ten years, so I would choose that and then give it up for my family." .

Kanchan Verma, 23 from Australia- first runner-up (the second place) said: "We are all winners. I enjoyed this event and met and made many friends"

Sunaina Bhoendie from Netherlands, second runner-up said: "She had great support from the people of Netherlands"

Nikkitasha being crowned Miss India USA 2008 by former Miss India USA 2007

This has been the results of the appreciative conscience on a larger part of NRIs in allowing their young daughters and sisters to take part in the annual events which is now an inevitable world social factor. For those who have been ascending the beauty stages while coupled with the high-profile skills or those pursuing high-education professions have always found ready markets for their talents and expertise. It has been an official norm for winners of the contests at home to be made the national flag bearers whenever they leave for the world finals.

• Nikkitasha Marhawa is in her first year at Northwestern University majoring in Media & Mass Communication.
• She was crowned Nationwide Miss India USA 2008.
• She won the title of Miss America's Miss Junior Teen 2006
• She was the winner of the 2007 USA Boogie Woogie dance contest.
• She is a classically trained dancer in Kuchipudi, ballet, tap and jazz.
• She enjoys doing community service.
• Nikkitasha also won the title of Best Talent.
• She was crowned by outgoing queen Richa Gangopadhyay.
  

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