Get to know Rachel Gupta, the first Indian to win Miss Grand International 2024
The Miss Grand International 2024 ended on a historic note after India's Rachel Gupta became the first woman in her country to be crowned as the winner.
In a stunning victory, the 20-year-old model clinched the coveted Miss Grand International crown, followed by the Philippines' CJ Opiaza at the 12th edition of the pageant held on Oct. 25 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Myanmar's Thae Su Nyein meanwhile ended her journey at third place, France's Safiétou Kabengele at fourth place, and Brazil's Talita Hartmann at fifth place.
Gupta will now take over the reign of Luciana Fuster Guzmán of Peru.
Curious about the newly crowned Miss Grand International? Read on to know more about her.
A businesswoman on the sidelines
When she's not on the runway and pageant scene, Gupta busies herself as an entrepreneur, having started her very own self-care salon service called "The Glam Bar" at just 18 years old.
More than enhancing their customers' appearance, the establishment also offers skills-based hands-on training courses for aspiring professionals in all aspects of facial and body aesthetics.
Through this, Gupta is able to help students be equipped with all the necessary skills they require to go solo on their entrepreneurial journey and be placed with bright career opportunities in this particular field.
"I think business is where I truly shine, it's where my passion is, and I'm a very strategic thinker," she said in an interview.
A woman of many talents
Strutting the runway isn't the only thing that the Punjab-based beauty is good at as Gupta also prides herself as a fashion model and actress in her country.
"I have been working in the entertainment industry for the past few years now and I've gotten a lot of experience in how this industry works," she shared in an interview.
She is also able to speak not one, but three languages with much fluency: English, Hindi, and Punjabi.
Beauty queen with a heart
Gupta proved that she is also confidently beautiful with a heart, thanks to her various advocacies and charitable activities.
When the beauty queen visited Thailand as Miss Grand India 2024, she took the time to help the Foundation for Slum Child Care in Bangkok by donating essential items valued at 10,000 Thai Baht (P17,343) to aid the foundation's important work.
She also feels strongly against overpopulation, as evident when she was asked about her thoughts on the most critical issue in the world today that needs to be resolved during the Miss Grand International finals night.
"There isn't enough for everybody on this planet. I think it's time for world leaders to take accountability and to start promoting the idea of enough resources for everybody. We can do this by promoting birth control methods in the different countries," Gupta said.
"I come from a country India, where not everybody has access to food, water, education, and basic amenities, and this is true for most of the world. It's time for us to stop fighting with each other and start respecting one other and making sure there are enough resources for everyone on this planet," she added.
