In a remarkable display of Indian-American talent, Caitlin Sandra Neil, 19, originally from Chennai, India, was crowned Miss India USA 2024 at the annual pageant in New Jersey. A second-year student at the University of California, Davis, Caitlin aims to leverage her title for women’s empowerment and literacy initiatives, aspiring to create a positive impact on society.
Having lived in the USA for the past 14 years, Caitlin’s vision for her future includes a career in web design, modeling, and acting, showcasing the diverse talents within the Indian-American community. The pageant, which saw 47 contestants from 25 states, was a celebration of both Indian culture and the incredible talent of young Indian-American women.
Caitlin’s victory was marked by the passing of the crown from Rijul Maini, Miss India USA 2023. The event also honored winners in the Mrs. India USA and Miss Teen India USA categories, with Sanskriti Sharma and Arshita Kathpalia taking those titles, respectively.
In her speech, Caitlin shared her passion for making a difference: “I want to leave a positive lasting impact on my community and focus on women’s empowerment and literacy.” Her words resonate with the mission of the Miss India USA pageant to inspire Indian-American women to aim high in both their careers and their communities.
The pageant also celebrated runners-up in each category, underlining the high level of competition and talent among the Indian-American participants. Caitlin’s journey encourages young women to pursue their ambitions and make meaningful contributions to society.
