Mangaluru: International Bunts Welfare Trust honored ‘Miss Supranational 2016’ Srinidhi Ramesh Shetty’ in a traditional way in a formal programme held at Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Law College auditorium, on Wednesday.

Srinidhi, speaking on the occasion said “it was due to the constant support of the same people did I catapult to the top slot in the beauty pageant, wearing the glittering tiara crown,” she said, describing it as the happiest moment of her life, much to the applause of the gathering.

Not to forget the sacrifices by her father Ramesh Shetty, who was accompanying her along with his two other daughters (elder sisters of Srinidhi), Srinidhi described him as the pillar of strength who gave wings to her dreams, showering motherly affection after the demise of her mother.

Srinidhi said, “when I was running for the pageant, I would regularly browse on the net only to see the encouragement of Bunts’ Sangha, who were sharing every update – that indeed improved my confidence level. I thank you from the bottom of my heart”.

A native of Mulki near Mangaluru in Dakshina Kannada district, Srinidhi said, “I had put in a lot of supports, as I was the hope of every Indian back home.”

Earlier, women from Bunts’ community felicitated Srinidhi by offering traditional bangles, besides applying turmeric on her chin and performing arati, with horns blowing horns in the backdrop.

Satish Shetty Bondel, a Bhagavata singer from Kateel Mela along with co-artistes, rendered a song penned on Srinidhi, paying a literary ode to her achievement.