For Nisha Sri A/P Yoganathan, winning the Penang Miss Colours of India Competition 2026 was not only about standing out on stage. It was about learning how to speak clearly, think under pressure, and represent her cultural identity with confidence.
A Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Mass Communication student at INTI International College Penang, Nisha wanted to challenge the idea that pageants are mainly about appearance. To her, the competition also tested how contestants presented themselves, responded to questions, and carried their cultural identity on stage.
Nisha Sri A/P Yoganathan responds confidently during the Question-and-Answer segment of the Penang Miss Colours of India Competition 2026, where contestants were assessed on critical thinking, communication skills, and social awareness.
Competing against 22 contestants from across Malaysia, Nisha emerged as champion at the competition, which was held during the Penang Bollywood Bazaar & Foodie Macha event at Dewan Chai Leng Prai. The contest featured three segments: Traditional Wear, Talent Performance, and a Question-and-Answer round.
“I wanted to break stereotypes that pageants are only about looks. As a Mass Communication student, I saw it as a platform to amplify cultural pride and young women’s voices,” said Nisha.
The Question-and-Answer round was one of the toughest parts of the competition, as contestants had to respond to spontaneous questions on social issues and women’s leadership.
“The Q&A round was the hardest because judges asked spontaneous questions about women’s leadership in the modelling industry and the challenges involved. Thinking quickly under pressure was tough, but it was also one of the most valuable experiences,” she said.
For Nisha, the experience drew directly from what she was learning in class, from reading an audience to organising her thoughts under pressure.
“It taught me how to brand myself, manage media interaction, and speak with purpose. I treated the pageant like a communications campaign,” she explained.
Classroom presentations, media projects, and communication exercises became part of that preparation.
“Structuring answers using the PREP method, controlling body language, and handling difficult questions confidently were among the most useful skills I applied during the competition,” she added.
Preparing for the pageant while keeping up with her studies was not easy. Between assignments, rehearsals, performances, and interview practice, Nisha often spent weekends and late nights getting ready.
When her name was announced as champion, the moment was especially emotional.
“I was overwhelmed and grateful. I almost cried because my parents were in the audience, and all the sleepless nights suddenly felt worth it,” she said.
For Lorraine Jinjumei Disimond, Head of Programme for Mass Communication at INTI International College Penang, Nisha’s achievement shows how students can develop workplace-relevant skills in settings that may not look academic at first.
“Employers today are looking beyond academic transcripts. While technology continues to evolve, graduates who can communicate effectively, think critically, adapt to change, and connect meaningfully with others will continue to stand out. Experiences such as these help students build confidence and develop skills that remain highly relevant in the workplace,” said Lorraine.
She added that INTI’s Mass Communication programme exposes students to practical and transferable skills through industry-focused projects, media production, journalism, public relations campaigns, and employer collaborations.
For Nisha’s parents, Mr Yoganathan and Mrs Yoganathan, her decision to join the competition was not something they immediately understood.
“We were nervous when she first told us she wanted to participate, but we knew she was serious because she prepared a complete presentation for us, just like a class assignment,” said Mr Yoganathan.
As they watched her prepare, their concerns began to shift.
“She became more disciplined, more confident, and much better at expressing her thoughts. We realised that the experience was helping her develop skills that would benefit her far beyond the competition itself,” he said.
Nisha Sri A/P Yoganathan celebrates her Penang Miss Colours of India Competition 2026 win with her father, Mr Yoganathan, whose support played an important role throughout her pageant journey.
Mrs Yoganathan said the experience also changed how they viewed pageants.
“We used to think pageants were mainly about appearance, but this competition emphasised talent, intelligence, culture, confidence, and public speaking. It completely changed our perspective. We saw our daughter become more courageous and more willing to step outside her comfort zone,” she said.
The couple said parents should understand what their children are trying to pursue before dismissing unfamiliar opportunities.
“Don’t say no immediately. Listen to your child’s dreams. Ask questions and support the effort, not just the trophy. Some of the most important lessons happen outside the classroom,” they said.
Looking ahead, Nisha hopes to use communication to reach wider audiences, including through a future talk show centred on cultural identity. She also hopes to mentor aspiring pageant contestants and one day represent Malaysia on the international stage.
Reflecting on her journey, she hopes more young people will give themselves permission to try something difficult.
“Fear never disappears, but courage is taking action despite fear. Start small. Say yes to one thing that scares you. You might surprise yourself.”