Miss Berbice 2018 Pageant winner promotes women empowerment

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, November 29, 2019

Twenty-one-year-old Rameshwarie Devi Jairam called “Sonia” was crowned Miss Berbice “I am Big a Deal” 2018 in the wee hours of Sunday at the Albion Sports Complex. She competed against eight other beautiful young Berbicans to walk away with the coveted title.

Jairam, of Islington East Bank Berbice, says she intends to continue to advocate using her platform of women empowerment. She explained the pageant provided an opportunity to impact the lives of young persons and also single parent mothers; giving them the encouragement needed to unlock opportunities not just for one woman but their family and ultimately their community.

Miss Berbice “I am a big deal” winner Rameshwarie “Sonia” Jairam poses with several of her prizes.

Miss Berbice 2018 Rameshwarie “Sonia” Jairam shares a moment with the runners-up. [In the photo, from left] First Runner-up Cintiana Harry, Third Runner-Up Jamace Alexis Hinds [third left] and Second Runner-Up Omecia Bindah [right].

As part of the intelligence segment, Jairam was asked to define woman empowerment to high school students. She said, “Women empowerment when a woman recognises her capabilities and her strengths … I would say it is a way of finding a solution and a way to empower yourself …whether it’s through education or work and it is also about the mindset you have about your capabilities and your strengths”.

Jairam also encourages young women to be proactive since they have the power to pave a path to their own success. “There is always something you can do, there is always a way to achieve a goal if you just believe in yourself and push yourself to it; you can create your own opportunities”.

She is currently pursuing studies in Data Operations at the Vryman’s Erven Training Centre and as part of the programme, she is currently performing work-study duties at the Blood Bank at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

The newly crowned queen told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that while she is currently pursuing studies in data operations her ultimate goal is to become a teacher and she will continue to work until her dream is realised.

Jairam expressed profound gratitude to the Miss Berbice Team, her sponsors, designer, Jason Shurland, family and delegates for the support throughout the pageant. She also walked away with the prizes for Miss Congeniality, Best Smile, Miss Intelligence and Best Talent.

Placing in the top three were Cintiana Harry as first Runner-Up, Omecia Bindah second runner-up and Jamace Alexis Hinds in third. Harry also won Best Costume and Best Evening Gown.

Story and Images: Nafeeza Sakur.