On Sunday, a felicitation ceremony was held in honor of Babina Thokchom, the newly crowned Miss Grand Manipur 2026, who will represent Manipur at the upcoming Miss Grand National Beauty Pageant in April in Jaipur, organized by Star Entertainment Production. The event, hosted by the Juvenile Association Kakching, was attended by notable figures including the Association’s President, Kshetrimayum Ibobi, and the President of the Rajdhani Pareng Development Committee, Shougaijam Birlal.
During the program, Babina shared her personal journey and experiences, emphasizing her academic achievements, including an MA from Manipur University. Concurrently, she is preparing for the UPSC exam, receiving coaching at the Dr. Ambedkar Centre of Excellence for UPSC Coaching at Manipur University. Babina expressed her desire to use public platforms to raise awareness about significant social issues, which motivated her determination to enter beauty pageants beyond her academic pursuits.
Babina reflected on the challenges she faced coming from a modest background, where financial difficulties were prevalent for her and her family, who earn their living through pickle-making. Her hard work and perseverance enabled her to overcome these obstacles and achieve success, leading to her victory in the pageant. She expressed deep gratitude to her supporters and mentors throughout her journey.
In light of the digital landscape’s impact on society, Babina also underscored the importance of responsible online behavior to combat misinformation, which often exacerbates social issues. She pledged to advocate against cyberbullying and promote mental health awareness through her participation in the upcoming pageant.
Babina, the daughter of Thokchom Noren and Thokchom Ongbi Sumita of Kakching Makha Leikai, has a commendable track record, having previously won titles such as Miss Dhanamanjuri 2019 and placed as 1st Runner-Up in the Manfete Queen 2019 competition. Her educational background includes completing her Class X at Martin Grammar English School and Class XII at Comet School, Changangei, followed by graduating from Dhanamanjuri College.
