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Paaie, a leading South Asian brand and official India Festival Committee (IFC) license holder for the DMV and West Virginia region, hosted the Third Annual Miss India DMV & West Virginia 2025 pageant at the Cascades Celebration and Corporate Event Center at Epicerie Plaza on November 8, 2025, in Sterling, Virginia. 

Organized under the guidance of IFC Chairman Dharmatma Saran, the flagship event not only celebrated “culture, confidence, and empowerment,” but has become a hallmark of South Asian identity and leadership in the U.S., according to the organizers. 

For the Gupta family, Mayank, Anjali, Riya, and Yashvi, this year’s edition marked another milestone in their ongoing efforts to “empower women” and celebrate South Asian culture nationwide.

“We are incredibly proud of how far this pageant has come in just three years,” said Yashvi Gupta of Paaie. “We’re deeply grateful to our contestants, judges, sponsors, and community for making Miss India DMV & West Virginia 2025 such a beautiful success. This platform is about more than crowns – it’s about confidence, culture, and community.”

Pageant Highlights and Winners

This year’s competition featured three categories — Miss, Mrs., and Teen — each reflecting talent, purpose, and pride. Contestants showcased their skills across segments including evening gown walks, traditional wear, and Q&A sessions that highlighted intelligence and authenticity.

Winners of Miss India DMV & West Virginia 2025

Mrs. India DMV 2025

• Winner: Mohini Langde
• 1st Runner Up: Neha Sharma
• 2nd Runner Up: Keshma Rathod

Teen India DMV 2025

• Winner: Ravya Senthilkumar
• 1st Runner Up: Preethi Arun
• 2nd Runner Up: Lakshmi Aishwarya

Miss India DMV 2025

• Winner: Mahika Rami
• 1st Runner Up: Shiwani Gahlot
• 2nd Runner Up: Sashi Kosaraju

“Each participant brought her own story and purpose to the stage – from students and engineers to artists and professionals – making this year’s event a showcase of South Asian excellence and unity,” added Riya Gupta.

Judges and Guest Reflections

The distinguished judging panel included Aparna Madireddi, co-founder and CEO of Arvasoft and Virginia Humanities Board Member; Pamela Privette, CEO and Founder of hiTechMODA and retired U.S. Coast Guard officer; and Khushi Patel, international model and Miss India Worldwide 2022.

“It was such a joy to be a part of this event and I applaud the Paaie family for bringing this spectacular event to Northern Virginia. Because of their efforts, our community members could participate and showcase their talents in a family-friendly environment,” Madireddi told South Asian Herald.

Trustee of the Commonwealth Science Museum of Virginia, Ram Venkatachalam, told South Asian Herald, “The contestants showcased immense talent and grace, making it a night to remember for everyone present. It was an honor to join The Guptas’, driving forces behind the magnificent celebrations.”

The event also honored distinguished individuals with special awards for their leadership, creativity, and community service:

Srinivas Chavali – Business Leadership and Community Impact Award:

• Recognized for reshaping Northern Virginia’s commercial landscape through civic engagement and development of Dulles Town Center.

Dr. Romesh Japra – Global Cultural Visionary Award:

• Honored for his philanthropic and cultural contributions as founder of the Fremont Hindu Temple, Festival of Globe, and India Day Parade.

Dr. Harish Naval – Distinguished Literary Excellence Award:

• Acclaimed Hindi satirist and author of 45 books, Dr. Naval has represented India in over 50 countries, elevating modern Hindi literature globally.

Pamela Privette – Global Fashion Innovation Award:

• Celebrated for her work with hiTechMODA, advancing inclusivity in fashion across New York, Paris, and Milan.

Deana Griffiths – Community Leadership and Educational Advocacy Award:

• Recognized for her dedication to educational equity as Loudoun County School Board Member representing the Ashburn District.

Henry Eickelberg – Excellence in Civic Stewardship Award:

• Honored for his leadership as Loudoun County Treasurer and commitment to fiscal transparency and public service.

Since Treasurer Eickelberg could not attend in person, Madireddi accepted the award on his behalf.

“Paaie and its exceptional leadership represent the best of our Loudoun and Northern Virginia community. They are constantly innovating to deliver value to their clients and our community. I’m truly honored to receive this distinction,” Eickelberg told South Asian Herald.

Reflections from the Winners and Mentors

“Every crown tells a story, one woven with dreams, determination, and transformation,” said Mohini Langde, winner of the Mrs. India DMV 2025. “My pageant journey was never just about beauty or grace; it was about growth, confidence, and discovering my true purpose… The crown became a symbol of perseverance, courage, and the power of self-belief.”

“I walked in hoping to do my best, and I walked out with so much more: not only a crown, but a new family, new learnings, and memories I’ll carry with me forever,” said Ravya Senthilkumar winner of the Teen India DMV 2025. “This journey showed me how far confidence, kindness, and authenticity can take me. Thank you our Paaie family for this wonderful opportunity, and I’m super excited to continue growing and see where I go next.”

Leena Keshwani, Mrs. India USA 2015, added, “On the ramp again… this time in DC, this time to cheer on and crown new stars! The event was truly spectacular — from the incredible contestants to the flawless production.” Having once walked that ramp herself, she said it was inspiring to celebrate the next generation of shining women and congratulated the entire Paaie team for “another feather in their cap.”

Contestant coaching and training were led by Sapna Mishra, Mrs. India USA 1st Runner Up 2024, whose extensive pageant and runway experience helped contestants develop stage confidence and poise. “Having walked for over 10 global designers, Mishra brought grace, mentorship, and empowerment to this year’s competition,” said the organizers.

Community Support and Partnerships

Mansoor Qureshi from the South Asian Business Council of Virginia (SABCVA), who was also present at the event told South Asian Herald “Paiee deserves immense congratulations for organizing an outstanding event. Their rise from a modest shop to a leading brand in the DMV area is a true testament to what dedication and hard work can achieve. On behalf of SABCVA, I proudly applaud their continued success.”

Founder of Masala Beats, Sunila Bali, told South Asian Herald, “Having been part of Miss India DMV for three years, I’ve witnessed firsthand how this platform has grown – its message, its reach, and the dreams it continues to nurture. Every year, the community shows up stronger, and the women step forward with even more confidence and purpose.”

Bali, who served as the emcee for this year’s event, noted that bringing the entertainment through Masala Beats reminded her why the platform matters. She added, “It gives South Asian women the space to break away from expectations and walk proudly toward the dreams that belong to them.”

Paaie expressed gratitude to its sponsors and partners – Global Seva Fund, Britestar Entertainment, Stardom Entertainment, PN Travels, 5 Tara Restaurant, MyExamsPrep, Masala Beats, Indian Spice, George Mason University Indian Student Association, and EchoDreams Production – for their continued support in making the event a success.