AdminThe 26th Annual Miss MalaysiaIndian Global (MMIGLOBAL) Personal Empowerment Programme concluded yesterday in spectacular fashion, with Johor-born Charlotte Netto, 28, taking home the coveted crown at the grand finals held in Klang. The Kuala Lumpur-based lawyer stood out among 12 finalists, earning a return ticket to Seoul, a gold coin, and a scholarship from Veritas University College.
Community work at the heart of her journey
Reflecting on her transformative three-month journey with MMIGLOBAL, Charlotte said the experience had reshaped her perspective on social responsibility.
“The most impactful part of this whole journey in MMIGLOBAL was their community work,” she said during her self-introduction. “One experience that truly impacted me is our very first challenge, the Emergency Food Basket Challenge. It opened my eyes to the struggles faced by families, especially young children, who didn’t know where their next meal was coming from. It taught me the true power of standing together as a community.”
Her strong community-driven spirit also won her two additional titles—MMICARE’s Community Ambassador and Miss Web Popular—bringing home another prize, a return ticket to Thailand.
Celebrating talent and achievement
The night also shone a spotlight on other outstanding finalists. Clinical psychologist Dithiamalar Lengatharan, 29, from Kuala Lumpur, was named first runner-up, earning a return ticket to India. She was also voted Miss Congeniality by her peers.
Second runner-up went to Saieshwari Sooriarao, 21, a data analytics undergraduate who won a return ticket to Vietnam and the Miss Petite title. In third place, dentist Dr. Deevya Sree Ramalu, 28, secured a return ticket to Indonesia alongside the Miss Heritage title. Biomedical student Vivena Kesavan, 22, rounded off the top five, also receiving a return ticket to Indonesia and winning Miss Eco Beauty.
Other subsidiary awards included Miss Elegance, won by Theeveeyatharisini Gopi. Winners of all subsidiary titles received return tickets to Thailand.
Empowerment beyond the stage
The event was not only about crowning beauty and talent but also about giving back to the community. MMICARE presented annual Small Subsistence Grants worth RM3,600 each to 11 students from its Kapar Community Education Programme, ensuring their meals are covered for 10 academic months while studying at polytechnics and public universities.
A new highlight of the evening was the introduction of the Community, Environment & Leadership (C.E.L.) Awards. The inaugural Community Impact Award went to Project Araro Ariraro by architecture graduate Gogularajaan Rajendran. His digital project documents Tamil folk songs from colonial-era plantations in pre-independence Malaysia, helping preserve a rich part of the nation’s cultural heritage.
Two decades of leadership and service
Founded in 2000 by Pushparani Thilaganathan, MMIGLOBAL has grown into a flagship programme under the MMICARE Association (Persatuan Prihatian Ratu India Malaysia). Registered with the Registrar of Societies in 2002, the non-profit NGO focuses on empowerment, leadership, and volunteerism among Malaysian Indian women.
With initiatives ranging from community and environmental programmes since 2001 to small grants for girls pursuing STEM courses since 2008, MMICARE continues to inspire a generation of socially conscious leaders. Through its annual Miss MalaysiaIndian Global, the organisation nurtures women like Charlotte Netto, who embody the ideals of confidence, compassion, and community spirit.
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