Caitlin Sandra Neil, a 19-year-old Indian-American, has been crowned Miss India USA 2024 at the annual pageant held in New Jersey, organized by the India Festival Committee (IFC). Originally from Chennai, India, Caitlin has spent the last 14 years in the United States and is currently a second-year student at the University of California, Davis.
In her victory speech, Caitlin expressed her desire to create a positive impact in her community, emphasizing her focus on women’s empowerment and literacy. She aspires to build a career as a web designer while also pursuing interests in modeling and acting. Her win at the pageant reflects her commitment to both personal growth and community service.
The event featured approximately 47 contestants from 25 states, competing in three categories. Alongside Caitlin, Sanskriti Sharma from Illinois was crowned Mrs. India USA, and Arshita Kathpalia from Washington won the title of Miss Teen India USA. The first and second runners-up for Miss India USA were Nirali Desai from Illinois and Manini Patel from New Jersey, respectively. In the Mrs. category, Sapna Mishra from Virginia and Chinamayee Ayachit from Connecticut were named first and second runners-up.
The Miss India USA pageant continues to serve as a significant platform for showcasing Indian-American talent and cultural heritage.
