Former Miss Puducherry who spoke against colourism dies by suicide

Popular model, ex-Miss Puducherry, and social media personality San Rechal—who allegedly died by suicide on Sunday—was a strong advocate against colourism in the fashion industry.

Rechal rose to prominence in the competitive world of pageantry, where she made her mark despite facing intense societal pressures. However, her journey was not without its struggles, as she often spoke out about being targeted online due to her dark skin, a topic she frequently addressed in interviews and on social media.

Rechal’s victory as Miss Puducherry 2021 marked a turning point in her career, propelling her into national and international beauty competitions. In 2021, she was crowned Miss World Black Beauty, a milestone achievement that defied industry norms and prejudices surrounding beauty standards.