by Steven Seedo
PARAMARIBO — “I look back with pride and gratitude on my participation in the Miss Teen International pageant. It was a special experience from which I learned a lot, met new people and was the youngest representative ever to present Suriname internationally.” With these words, fifteen-year-old Chayenn Thakoer, Miss Teen India Suriname 2026, looks in conversation with the True Time back on an intensive and special period in India.
Although she did not win any prizes during the final of Miss Teen International 2026 in Jaipur, she has a sense of pride. For the young Surinamese, the election was much more than just a competition. It was an opportunity to challenge herself, gain new experiences and represent her country on an international stage. “Participating means a lot to me. It has made me more confident and stronger and has shown me that, despite my young age, I can pursue my dreams. It was an honor to represent Suriname on such a large international stage.”
“I want to use my voice to contribute to something positive. Empowerment, culture and social involvement are topics that I would like to focus on in the coming year”
Chayenn Thakoer
Clothing
One of the special moments for Thakoer was to stand on stage in her national costume. “When I walked onto the stage, I felt a lot of pride. The costume told the story of the rich Amazon and of Suriname as one of the greenest countries in the world. At that moment I felt a strong connection with my country.”
Her clothes were designed by National Director Gietanjali Thakoer from the Miss Teen India Suriname 2026 organization – they are not related – and inspired by Surinamese nature and the Amazon rainforest. The vibrant green leaves referenced Suriname’s pristine forests and biodiversity, while the colorful tropical flowers depicted the country’s natural beauty. According to the organization, the various details represented the strength, diversity and cultural pride of the Surinamese people.
The costume was made in Thailand, just like the evening dresses for the preliminary round and the final. The organization had chosen Thailand because of the lower freight costs and labor hours.
Seen and experienced a lot
During her stay of about two weeks in India, Thakoer had the opportunity to see and experience a lot. She visited the world-famous Taj Mahal. She was also a special guest at the Miss Universe India pageant on August 23, in which 54 candidates participated. During this impressive show, the young Surinamese had the opportunity to meet well-known Indian personalities and experience up close how a major national election is organized.
Those present included actress and former Miss Universe and judge Sushmita Sen and actresses and former beauty queens Celina Jaitly and Urvashi Rautela. “Those were moments that I will not soon forget. I gained so many new impressions and met people from different backgrounds. That also taught me to look at the world with a broader view.”
Thakoer attended Jaipur National University. Together with Kaziah Liz Mejo, the brand new Miss Universe India, attention was drawn to the importance of sports and an active lifestyle among young people. For Thakoer, this fits in well with the role she wants to fulfill in the coming year.
After her international adventure, she mainly wants to use her title to inspire young people. “I want to use my voice to contribute to something positive. Empowerment, culture and social involvement are topics I would like to focus on in the coming year.”
An eye to the future
Participating in Miss Teen International has also helped Thakoer, a student at the Ad Fontes Lyceum – she wants to study business administration – to grow as a person. She learned to deal with tension, responsibility and the pressure of an international stage.
She aptly summarizes her view on wearing a crown: “The value of a crown is not measured by the rhinestones, but by the discipline, determination and courage you put in to earn it.”
For Thakoer, her international adventure is not an end point, but rather the beginning of a new phase. She may not have come home with the crown, but she says the experiences, memories and lessons from India will remain with her for a long time.
Chayenn Thakoer is the youngest Miss Teen Suriname ever to represent the country in an international pageant. Miss Teen International is an international competition for young women between the ages of thirteen and nineteen, focusing on beauty, intelligence and talent, among other things.
