Sonia Prasad was crowned Miss Vodafone Rakiraki Carnival 2024 on Saturday at the Fiji Sugar Corporation grounds in Rakiraki. The 25-year-old, sponsored by the Rakiraki Market Vendors Association (RMVA), also secured several titles, including Miss Best Talents, Miss Best Sarong, and Miss Best Research Topic.
Prasad, who works as a staff nurse at Rakiraki Hospital and is a former student of Rakiraki Public School, used the carnival as a platform to inspire young women and girls to engage in charitable activities. “If I can do it, you can too,” she encouraged, noting that such events help develop leadership skills and enhance confidence.
Reflecting on her motivation to join the carnival, Ms. Prasad expressed that it was a means to confront her shyness and improve her self-confidence. “I have never been the type to enter contests and have always been socially awkward. That was why I chose to participate in this carnival—to challenge myself,” she explained.
Looking ahead, Ms. Prasad plans to continue her advocacy against the use of illicit drugs, urging the community: “To the people of Ra, I urge you to stop using drugs because they lead to severe problems and even death.”