Shinata Chauhan from Uttar Pradesh was crowned the second runner-up of Miss India 2022. The beauty pageant was won by Karnataka’s Sini Shetty, with the first runner-up title bagged by Rajasthan’s Rubal Shekhawat.

21-year-old Shinata Chauhan, who describes herself as “God’s Child” on her social media handle, has represented Uttar Pradesh in two editions of the pageant. 

“It’s my second time winning the title of Femina Miss India Uttar Pradesh, previously in 2019 and now in 2022. I am extremely humbled and have tears in my eyes when I say, ‘it is a life-changing journey, and I can not thank god enough for another opportunity because twice doesn’t come easy.’ This chance has not only increased my belief in my hard work, and it made me much stronger,” she told India Times in June.

Also Read: From Kriti Sanon to Malaika Arora: Celebs grace Miss India 2022 red carpet

She also recalled her modeling journey during the interview. Taking a trip down memory lane, she said, “We had to hide my pageant training and regional pageant participation by citing other reasons, or I would not have been allowed to partake in the contest. But it was my win at the state level that gave me the respect and voice, and so I am grateful to Miss India for giving me the confidence to be open about what I want to be, a public figure, a spokesperson and an actor — a profession taken as a hobby but never encouraged.” 

Also Read: Koffee with Karan 7 trailer: Ranveer Singh calls it a ‘cult show’, Sara Ali Khan reveals her ex

“I never opened up about my dreams and aspirations, but this platform gave me the chance to speak up for myself,” she added.

Chauhan is an alumna of New Delhi’s Cambridge School. She graduated from Delhi University’s Gargi College. 

The 21-year-old is the quintessential example of ‘beauty with brains’. As a student, she was the school topper for seven years, and scored the highest marks among her batchmates in the class 10 CBSE board exam. She also won medals in Mathematics and Science Olympiads, and was appointed as the cultural secretary.

Also Read: Miss Universe 2021 winner Harnaaz Sandhu gets candid about her winning experience

At the age of 16, Chauhan won Miss Teen India Exquisite and represented her country at USA’s Exquisite International Pageant, where she was crowned the first runner-up.

Beneath the jeweled crowns and extravagant gowns, Chauhan is “a confident, passionate, positive, open minded and yet a fun and loving person” who is “always curious to learn new things and make most out of time.”