BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
Atlanta, GA, January 3, 2026: The IACA Beauty Pageant at Berkmar High School on December 7, 2025 unfolded as an evening of luminous stories and shared triumphs, where culture, confidence, and community converged under the radiant theme SHINE BRIGHT. Presented by the India American Cultural Association, the event became far more than a competition. It emerged as a celebration of inner strength, creative expression, and generational inspiration.
Chief Guest Dr. Indran B. Indrakrishnan of the Georgia Board of Healthcare Workforce honored the contestants for their courage and reminded the audience that true beauty is rooted not in appearance alone but in strength, intelligence, and individuality. Drawing upon the 85th anniversary of Pearl Harbor as a moment of historical reflection, he spoke about American resilience and the importance of rising with purpose during challenging times. He applauded parents and the IACA for fostering a platform that empowers young women to dream boldly, speak confidently, and move forward with clarity. As he poignantly stated, “Remember, a crown may rest on one head, but confidence, character, and self-belief belong to all of you.”
Guest of Honor Bob Erramilli, Councilman of Johns Creek, echoed the importance of community-driven initiatives that uplift youth and celebrate cultural pride, commending IACA for creating a space where leadership, confidence, and creativity are nurtured together.
As the evening unfolded, one extraordinary story captured every heart. In a rare and deeply moving moment, a mother and daughter were crowned winners in their respective categories. Mythili Iyengar earned the Miss Teen India Georgia title, while her mother Vaishnavi Gomadam was crowned Mrs. India Georgia. Their shared victory became the emotional center of the night, symbolizing legacy, encouragement, and the power of generational support.
The pageant celebrated excellence across all categories. In Miss Teen India Georgia, Mythili Iyengar claimed the crown, with Ananya Muni as First Runner-Up and Nishika Sarkar as Second Runner-Up. Miss India Georgia was led by winner Divya Chakote, with Devananda Sreekanth as First Runner-Up. In the Mrs. India Georgia category, Vaishnavi Gomadam took the top honor, followed by Bhumika Tiwari as First Runner-Up and Arpana Parmar as Second Runner-Up.
Miss India Georgia winner Divya Chakote described her journey as deeply transformative and rooted in self-discovery. “Winning this title is incredibly meaningful because I entered this pageant to challenge myself,” she shared. “I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, face pressure with grace, and still enjoy every moment, and today I’m proud of the woman I’m becoming.” One of the most unforgettable moments for her was the talent round, where she performed a live painting. “Hearing the entire audience say ‘wow’ when they saw it is something I’ll never forget,” she said. The painting was later auctioned for $300 as a donation to IACA, adding deeper purpose to the moment. In her Q and A, she spoke passionately about educating the younger generation. “Real change begins with awareness, and awareness begins with education,” she explained. The pageant also allowed her to reconnect with dance after nearly fifteen years. “This experience helped me rediscover my confidence and celebrate womanhood,” she reflected, expressing gratitude to IACA for providing a platform where she could shine in ways she never imagined.
For Mrs. India Georgia winner Vaishnavi Gomadam, the crown carried profound personal meaning. “Winning the Mrs. India GA title feels truly surreal,” she said. “It is an honor to be recognized for the confidence and grace I strive to embody in my everyday life.” She emphasized that the victory was about more than a title. “I hope to inspire women of all ages to pursue their dreams boldly and be proud of themselves first.” Her decision to participate came unexpectedly, but she embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly, especially because it allowed her to share the experience with her daughter. “What made it truly special was competing alongside my daughter,” she shared. “It created a bond and a memory we will cherish forever.” In her talent round, she showcased her South Indian heritage through a semi-classical dance set to a trending song. Her Q and A response reflected her belief in early empowerment. “Dreaming big must begin at a young age,” she said, crediting her parents and her husband for their unwavering support. Sharing the stage with her daughter, who also won her category, made the journey deeply meaningful.
Miss Teen India Georgia winner Mythili Iyengar described her win with youthful joy and determination. “It feels amazing to win the Miss Teen India GA title,” she said. “I’m excited to keep inspiring other girls around me to take on challenges, work hard, and always give their best without worrying too much about the results.” Drawn naturally to the pageant through her love for performing arts, she presented a high-energy fusion dance combining Bollywood, Jazz, and Acro. “I wanted to show different sides of my talent,” she explained, adding that she felt confident throughout the performance. In the Q and A round, when asked who she would want to meet from the past, she answered Michael Jackson. “He’s been a huge inspiration throughout my dance journey,” she shared, admiring how he expressed culture through everything he did. Reflecting on the overall experience, she expressed gratitude to the organizers and shared her joy at celebrating the moment alongside her mother. “We’re both going to be celebrating this for a long time.”
The evening also honored all contestants whose courage and individuality lit up the stage. Participants included Pooja Chandu, Bhumika Tiwari, Divya Chakote, Bhavi Solanky, Devamrutha Sreekanth, Devananda Sreekanth, Mythili Iyengar, Ananya Muni, Arpana Parmar, Nishika Sarkar, Sharmeen Daulati, and Vaishnavi Gomadam. Sonali Prasad, who had prepared with dedication, was unable to compete due to unavoidable circumstances and was warmly acknowledged by the organizers.
IACA President Dhananjay Gupta reflected on the deeper purpose of the pageant, emphasizing that it is designed to build confidence, leadership, and cultural pride. “This pageant is not about winning alone,” he said. “It is about giving our daughters, sisters, and mothers a platform where their voices are heard, their talents are respected, and their confidence is strengthened.” He expressed gratitude to the families, volunteers, sponsors, and organizing team whose collective effort brought the evening to life.
IACA Board Chairman Kaushal Tripathi echoed these sentiments, highlighting the collective spirit behind the event. “What we witnessed tonight was the power of community,” he shared. “When people come together with intention and heart, the result is not just a successful event, but an experience that leaves a lasting impact.” He noted that the true success of the pageant lay in the confidence gained by every participant, not just the crowns awarded.
The judging panel, Christopher Chin, Geetanjali Talukdar, Gyanlakshmi Rao Ph.D, Julia Kang, Nicole Chin, and Shaveta Jain, brought insight, fairness, and encouragement to each round as contestants were evaluated across Indian outfit, Talent, Evening Gown, and Q and A.
Between rounds, the stage came alive with music and movement from Swaron Ki Sanjeevani Group, Atlanta Indian Idol winner Sonam Shah, Sri Dutt Raga Dance Academy, Balli’s Dance Studio, Prem’s Dance Studio, Hetal Mehta and her team, and rapper Rama Kazi. ASKv Production ensured seamless transitions throughout the evening. The opening performance Aaj Ki Raat, choreographed by Prem Rahman of Prem’s Dance Studio, set the tone for confidence and celebration, while his coaching guided contestants throughout their journey.
Apurva Ghelani and his daughter Saanvi Ghelani hosted the evening with warmth, grace, and effortless connection. Apurva’s public speaking coaching was evident in the contestants’ poised and articulate presence onstage.
Behind the scenes, the dedication of Pratima Dhumal, Neelam Sharma, Kiran Agnihotri, and Bandana Gupta, supported by advisory members Dr. Paddy Sharma, Dhananjay Gupta, Nivedita Garabadu, and Jyothsna Hegde, transformed months of planning into a night of elegance and meaning. Reflecting on the journey, Pratima shared, “Standing backstage and watching these young women shine reminded me why this pageant is so close to my heart. It was more than a competition. It was a celebration of culture, confidence, and community.”
As the final applause echoed through the auditorium, it was clear that this was not just a pageant, but a living story of empowerment, resilience, and shared dreams. On this unforgettable night, a mother and daughter stood crowned together, symbolizing legacy and generational strength, while Miss India Georgia Divya Chakote embodied the courage of self-discovery and creative expression, reminding everyone that when confidence is nurtured and dreams are supported, beauty shines brightest in many powerful forms across generations.
