Coveted Miss Kut contest held in Manipur

Imphal, Nov 6 (ANI): Hundreds of enthusiastic crowd gathered to watch beautiful girls taking on the stage as they compete for the coveted Miss Kut contest 2009, held in Manipur.

Organised by the state level Kut committee as a part of the Kut celebration, the post-harvest festival of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo-Zoumi tribe the contest was the main attraction of the evening although cultural programmes and musical extravaganza added more zing to the celebration.

State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi opened the Kut celebration by unleashing balloons carrying a festoon embossed with the words 'Kut 2009'.

Nicky Chongneithem was crowned Miss Kut 2009 and took away a cash prize of rupees 75, 000. Thokchom Pratima and Elizabeth Ningthoujam were declared first runner-up and second runner-up respectively.

Sharing her experience, an excited Miss Kut 2009 winner Nicky Chongneithem said that she now feels on top of the world.

"I feel very happy now. I am on top of the world tonight," said Chongneithem.

Earlier, the Kut festival was celebrated only at village level on different dates. But now realising importance, the festival has been promoted as a State-level festival. (ANI)