Ridma Kakani Wins Mrs India Empress Of The Nation 2026
From Ratlam to the National Crown – A Journey of Grace, Grit and Reinvention
Pune’s Ridma Kakani, originally hailing from Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, emerged as a shining symbol of confidence, grace, and purpose after being crowned Winner in the Gold Category at the 7th Season of Miss & Mrs INDIA Empress of the Nation 2026 held recently at HYATT Pune. She also bagged the subtitle Mrs. Popular, recognising her charismatic presence and heart-winning connect with other contestants.
Conceptualized by Anjana and Karl Mascarenhas, Founders, DIVA Pageants (www.divapageants.com), and presented in association with TruPeak, the prestigious national pageant, celebrated womanhood beyond beauty – honouring confidence, individuality, and purpose. The grand finale witnessed inspiring participants from across the country, with Ridma winning hearts with her elegance and powerful stage presence.
Ridma revealed that pageantry had always been a long-held dream. “I have always believed in constantly evolving and challenging myself. For me, pageantry was never just about the crown – it was about stepping out of my comfort zone – the desire to become a stronger version of myself is what inspired me to take this leap.”
Winning the crown of Mrs. India Empress of the Nation 2026 and the subtitle Mrs. Popular, has been one of the proudest milestones of her journey. From being Mrs. Maharashtra 1st Runner-Up, to winning Mrs. Central India 2026, and now this national crown, every stage has added a new chapter to her journey. “DIVA gave me a platform that transformed me. It has been about rediscovering my potential, pushing my boundaries and truly owning my presence”, smiles Ridma.
Ridma owes a huge part of her success to her mentors – Anjana and Karl, for believing in her. She also credits Pooja Singh and Cicilia Sanyal from the DIVA team, who played a significant role throughout this journey. She’s equally grateful to her fitness coaches, whose training and discipline have been an integral part of her transformation.
“And of course – this achievement would not have been possible without the unconditional support of my parents, my in-laws, my brother and sister-in-law, my family and friends, and especially my husband, Shankey Bhasin, who has been my strongest pillar throughout” she smiles.
As a Solution Architect and a fitness enthusiast, Ridma believes a woman can embrace many dimensions of herself and excel in each one. “This crown is a milestone, not the destination. For me next is the international stage, and I look forward to representing India and making my country proud”, she signs off.