Chanchui Khayi’s pageant journey has been about more than stepping onto a national stage. For her, it has also been an opportunity to grow in confidence, celebrate her roots and bring greater attention to the culture and creative talent of Manipur.
Having represented Manipur at Femina Miss India in 2024 and 2026, Khayi is now returning as the Brand Ambassador for Femina Miss India Manipur 2027, according to the supplied interview details. As she looks back on her experiences, she reflects on the lessons pageantry has taught her, the traditions that continue to ground her and the opportunities she hopes to see open up for the next generation.
In this exclusive conversation, Khayi also shares her favourite memories of home, the food she would introduce to visitors and why she wants young women from Manipur to pursue opportunities in pageantry, modelling, entertainment and content creation.
Q1. Looking back, how has your pageant journey shaped you personally and professionally?
Chanchui Khayi: My pageant journey has taught me a great deal about life, people and myself. It has helped me become a better communicator, feel more comfortable with my choices and approach life with greater confidence. I have grown into someone who trusts herself more and is willing to make decisions that feel right for her.
Professionally, the experience has introduced me to new opportunities and taught me how to carry myself in different environments. More importantly, it has shown me that growth comes from being willing to learn, make mistakes and step outside your comfort zone.
It is also about recognising where you can improve and having the determination to keep moving forward. When I look back, I can see how much I have grown, and I am grateful for the person this journey has helped me become.
Q2. What values or influences from growing up in Manipur have shaped the person you are today?
Chanchui Khayi: One of the most important things growing up in Manipur has taught me is the value of family, community and the lessons we inherit from our elders.
There is something special about being surrounded by people who share traditions, celebrate together and hold on to the things that make them who they are. These values continue to influence how I see the world.
Knowing where you come from gives you a sense of grounding, especially when life takes you into unfamiliar places. Our culture is an important part of our identity, and carrying it with pride allows us to grow without losing touch with our roots. That is something I hope to hold on to wherever life takes me.
Q3. What is one aspect of Manipur that people outside the state often misunderstand, overlook or do not know enough about?
Chanchui Khayi: People often associate Manipur with its sporting talent and natural beauty, but there is so much more to discover. The state has talented artists, musicians, dancers, filmmakers, performers and creative people who have a great deal to contribute.
Our artistic traditions, from the elegance of Manipuri classical dance to tribal folk performances that bring stories and traditions to life, are beautiful expressions of our identity. There is also a wealth of contemporary talent that deserves opportunities to reach wider audiences.
I would love to see more people from Manipur getting opportunities to showcase their work beyond the state. The talent and hard work are here, but access and exposure can make a significant difference. I believe there is still so much for the world to discover about Manipur, especially its creativity and the potential of its people.
Q4. Is there a particular place, childhood memory, festival or tradition that captures what Manipur means to you?
Chanchui Khayi: For me, it is often the smallest things that remind me of home. I remember walking through the market with my mother to buy fruit, stopping at little stalls after school and enjoying local favourites such as sausages, dried chillies, singju and barap, a frozen treat sold in a small packet.
These moments might seem ordinary to someone else, but they mean so much to me. As you grow older, you begin to realise that these simple experiences are often the ones you miss most.
Then there are the festivals. Yaoshang, Ningol Chakouba and the way people come together during Christmas reflect the joy of belonging to a community.
For me, home is not just one place or one memory. It is the people, the food, the celebrations and that feeling of belonging. Those are the things I carry with me wherever I go.
Q5. How would you introduce Manipur to someone who has never visited, beyond its landscapes and tourist attractions?
Chanchui Khayi: I would introduce them to our food first because food tells you so much about a place and its people. I would encourage them to try singju, a traditional salad prepared with a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs, with some versions also including fermented fish.
I would especially recommend exploring small local stalls and eateries rather than limiting the experience to popular restaurants. Fresh salads, pakoras, fried fish and other treats sold by roadside vendors are an important part of everyday food culture here. To me, that is where you can experience the familiar taste of home.
Beyond food, I would want visitors to explore our markets, festivals and community life. Manipur is home to diverse communities and traditions, and there is so much to appreciate by learning about them.
I would hope visitors leave with a deeper understanding of the state than they might have gained from second-hand accounts or a typical tourist itinerary. I would want them to understand a little more about how we live, what we value and what makes us proud to call Manipur home.
Q6. What opportunities can young women from Manipur explore in pageantry, modelling, entertainment and content creation? How can Femina Miss India help them?
Chanchui Khayi: I believe young women from Manipur have enormous potential in pageantry, modelling, fashion, entertainment and content creation. We have a strong sense of individuality and distinctive perspectives that can bring something valuable to these industries.
What we need is better access to platforms, professional guidance and opportunities to understand how these industries work.
That is why platforms such as Femina Miss India matter. They give young women opportunities to be seen, learn and connect with people who can help them grow. Having experienced the pageant journey myself, I understand how valuable that exposure can be.
The right team, professional guidance and access to people who can help you navigate career transitions can make a real difference. I would love more young women from Manipur to recognise that these opportunities are within their reach and understand that where they come from should never limit how far they can go.
Q7. What does being the Brand Ambassador for Femina Miss India Manipur 2027 mean to you, and what message would you share with aspiring contestants?
Chanchui Khayi: Returning as the Brand Ambassador for Femina Miss India Manipur 2027 feels special because I know what it is like to be on the other side of the journey. I understand the excitement, uncertainty and learning that come with putting yourself out there.
Encouraging the next generation of aspirants is something I genuinely look forward to. Sometimes, a little guidance or reassurance can make a real difference to someone who is just starting out.
My biggest advice would be to be proud of where you come from and never feel that you have to become someone else to belong on that stage. Your upbringing, culture and experiences are part of what makes you unique.
Work hard, stay open to learning and do not be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Most importantly, enjoy the journey and give yourself room to grow. You never know how much an experience can change you until you allow yourself to live it. So, open yourself up and get out there!
Chanchui Khayi’s journey: Taking Manipur’s identity to a wider stage
For Khayi, pageantry has offered a way to develop personally while representing the place she calls home. Her reflections move beyond competition and appearance, emphasising confidence, cultural pride, professional development and the importance of creating opportunities for others.
Her message to aspiring contestants is equally clear: success does not require leaving one’s identity behind. Instead, the experiences, traditions and perspectives that shape a person can become valuable strengths when entering new environments.
As she prepares to support the next group of Femina Miss India Manipur aspirants, Khayi hopes more young women from the state will explore opportunities in creative industries and feel confident about taking their ambitions beyond familiar boundaries.
Her story is ultimately about growth without losing one’s roots—and about ensuring that the next generation has greater opportunities to be seen, heard and recognised.
