Roshmitha Harimurthy crowned Miss Diva 2016, will now represent India at Miss Universe 2017

Roshmitha Harimurthy has been crowned Miss Diva 2016 and she will represent India at the Miss Universe pageant next year.

The 22-year-old girl from Bangalore saw off competition from 15 girls to win the title.

Roshmitha says her journey has been a roller coaster ride and she is happy to have come out victorious in the end.

“It was a crazy ride. It has been an amazing learning experience for me. All the tasks and contests really helped me become a winner,” Roshmitha told PTI after the crowning.

The model is currently pursuing her Masters in international business and she says she will soon start prepping for the Miss Universe pageant, which will take place early 2017.

“I am waiting to meet all the experts who will help me improve myself. I want to retain my attitude and hope to do well at the pageant next year. It has been a long time that India has not won at the Miss Universe contest and I hope I can break the spell.”

Srinidhi Shetty has been named the first runner up and she was crowned Yamaha Fascino Miss Diva Supranational 2016, while Aradhana Buragohain is Miss Diva second runner up.

The winners were announced by the Judges panel which included former Miss Universe and actress Lara Dutta, Arjun Rampal, Abhay Deol, Aditi Rao Hydari and fashion designer Gaurav Gupta.

“All the girls are winners in their own right, however there can be only one winner. It was difficult for the panelists to choose that one winner from 16 divas who were all very talented and promising,” Lara said.

“Roshmitha is very deserving and I would like to wish all the winners all the best. I am looking forward to the prestigious Miss Universe pageant and hope that we bring the crown home this year,” she added.

The finale, which was hosted by stand-up comedian and actor Vir Das, saw performances by Parineeti Chopra and Lauren Gottlieb.

The contestants underwent rigorous training, workshops under the mentorship and guidance of Lara Dutta and other celebrity guests like Dino Morea, Neha Dhupia, Shantanu and Nikhil, Sophie Choudry and Shibani Dandekar.

Their journey was shown in a six-part series which aired on Colors Infinity.

The winners for the sub-contests this year are-

Ishita Sachdeva (Yamaha Fascino Miss Fascinating), Natasha Bharadwaj (Yamaha Fascino Miss Talented), Ishita Sachdeva (Splash Miss Style Diva), Muskaan Deria (Dazzler Eterna Best Makeover), Roshmitha Harimurthy (Kodak Lens Miss Spectacular Eyes, Miss Rampwalk and Ulric de Varens Miss Refreshing Diva), Srinidhi Shetty (Miss Beautiful Smile, Miss Photogenic and Miss Body Beautiful).