Miss Universe Bangladesh Shela says she's Bangladesh

Shirin Akter Shela, crowned Miss Universe Bangladesh 2019 on Wednesday, said that she would work for Bangladesh as her father does.

"My father is a soldier. He is guarding Bangladesh on the border. Like him, I'll work for my country. From today, I, myself, am Bangladesh," said an elated Shela after winning the crown.

Shela will now represent Bangladesh in the main event of 68th Miss Universe competition, to be held this December. This will be the first time for Bangladesh to participate in the competition.

Indian actress Sushmita Sen, who won the title of Miss Universe in 1994, crowned Shela in the grand finale of the beauty pageant at the International Convention City Bashundhara in the capital on Wednesday night.

Alisha Islam and Jessia Islam were judged the first and second runners-up, respectively.

Shela, who is from Thakurgaon's Pirganj, is a third-year student of Dhaka University's Physics department.

Judges of this grand event were Sushmita Sen, singer Tahsan Khan, Persona’s managing director Kaniz Almas, president of Bangladesh Heritage Craft Tootli

Rahman, founder of Pulse Health Care Rubaba Dowla, managing director of Green Delta Insurance Farzanah Chowdhury, managing director of Flora Bank Rafiul Islam, commentator and former cricketer Athar Ali Khan, among others.

Earlier on 15 October, the crown of Miss Universe Bangladesh was unveiled through an event in Gulshan of Dhaka.

The registration of contestants began in the end of July. The first round of audition started with over 12,000 registrations. Then the elimination process started and after three months of boot camp a winner was finally chosen.