EDISON, NJ (TIP): Rijul Maini, an Indian American medical student from Michigan, has been crowned Miss India USA 2023 at the annual pageant held in New Jersey. Greeshma Bhat of Virginia was declared first runner-up and Ishita Pai Raikar of North Carolina was the second runner-up
During the event, Sneha Nambiar from Massachusetts was declared as Mrs. India USA and Saloni Rammohan from Pennsylvania won the title of Miss Teen India USA.
Maini, 24, a medical student and model, aspires to be a surgeon and hopes to serve as a role model to women everywhere, a press release said.
“I am a third year medical student in MSUCOM’s class of 2025. This summer, after taking boards, I was able to participate in the Miss India Michigan 2023 pageant. I thought it would be something fun to do before starting hospital rotations,” Maini wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
‘It is so exciting to have won the title! I have always been a fan of fashion, art, and beauty, so to be able to celebrate those interests along with medical school has been a blessing,” she wrote.
“Congratulations to MSUCOM student Rijul Maini for winning the title of Miss India Michigan 2023!” MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine@MSU_Osteopathic posted.
This year marks the 41st anniversary of the pageant which is the longest running Indian pageant outside of India.
It was started by New York-based Indian Americans Dharmatma and Neelam Saran under the banner of Worldwide Pageants. According to the organizers, 57 contestants from over 25 states participated in three different pageants – Miss India USA, Mrs. India USA and Miss Teen India USA.
Winners of all three categories will be getting complimentary air tickets to take part in Miss- Mrs.-Teen India Worldwide organized by the same group.
“I am very much thankful to Indian community around the world for their support over the years,” said Dharmatma Saran, founder and chairman of Worldwide Pageants.