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Who is San Rechal Gandhi, the model who spoke about colourism and has now died by suicide?
San Rechal Gandhi was a model and former Miss Pondicherry 2022 who has died by suicide. She passed away on July 13 after she consumed a high dose of sleeping tablets and breathed her last at passed away at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER).
Her body has now been sent to the Puducherry Government Hospital for post-mortem examination. Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Who was San Rechal Gandhi?
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She was not just a model or Miss Pondicherry but also raised her voice for self-inclusivity and against colourism. Rechal also spoke about body positivity.
More facts about the late model
She was crowned Miss Best Attitude 2019, Miss Dark Queen Tamil Nadu 2019, and Queen of Madras 2022, among others.
In 2023, she got the opportunity to represent India at the Miss Africa Golden pageant in South Africa.
On this year's Women's Day, the pageant queen was honoured with the RUNWAY MASTERY award from IRAIVI AWARDS by VASCO.
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India Today
6 days ago
- India Today
Who is San Rechal, former Miss Dark Queen Tamil Nadu who died by suicide at 26?
San Rechal Gandhi, former Miss Puducherry and an outspoken advocate for inclusivity in the fashion industry, died on Saturday at the age of 26. The model, social media influencer, and founder of a grooming agency passed away at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) days after a reported suicide attempt on July also known by her birth name Shankarapriya, rose to prominence not just for her accolades on the runway but for what she represented: A powerful voice against colourism in beauty and entertainment QUEEN 'MISS RECHAL'Crowned 'Miss Dark Queen Tamil Nadu' in 2019 and later 'Miss Puducherry' in 2021, San Rechal was vocal about discriminatory beauty standards in the industry. "My vision is to create an environment free of unrealistic beauty standards," she told 'Etimes' in an earlier interview. "I want to inspire a generation that believes they can achieve their dreams, no matter their colour, size, or shape." San Rechal was crowned 'Miss Dark Queen Tamil Nadu' in 2019 and 'Miss Puducherry' in 2021. (Instagram/@san_rechal_official) Born and raised in Puducherry, Rechal lost her mother at a young age and was brought up by her father, Gandhi, who stood by her ambitions to become a model. Her journey to self-acceptance began in school, where she faced bullying and discrimination for her darker skin tone. Instead of retreating, she chose to confront these biases head-on-using the very industry that once rejected her as a platform for change."The key is to focus on yourself, irrespective of what society says," she once said. "I want to bring that kind of change."RISING STARRechal's modelling career was defined by courage and conviction. Despite being turned away from several pageants in her early days due to her complexion, she broke through to win four major beauty titles and walk international ramps in London, Germany, and France. In 2023, she represented India at the 'Miss Africa Golden' pageant. San Rechal won four major beauty titles. She co-founded 'Rose Noire Fashion & Grooming Ltd', a modelling agency, and ran 'RADO's Gift', a non-profit that cared for stray and indigenous puppies - a cause close to her heart. On social media, where she had a following of over 180,000 on Instagram, Rechal often shared her thoughts on self-worth, beauty bias, and animal welfare. San Rechal ran a non-profit that cared for stray and indigenous puppies. She was also an active member of the "Pondicherry Queens" community on Coto, a platform aimed at empowering WAS BATTLING DEPRESSIONAccording to police, Rechal had been battling depression and severe financial stress in the months leading up to her death. After reportedly consuming an overdose of sleeping pills at her father's home on July 5, she was first taken to the Puducherry Government Hospital and later transferred to JIPMER, where she succumbed to said she had sold jewellery recently to fund her career and had sought financial help from her father, who was unable to assist due to obligations toward her younger brother. According to reports, a note recovered by the police stated that no one was responsible for her death, but officials are also looking into possible marital issues as a contributing factor. She had married recently, though little is publicly known about her husband or the nature of the relationship.- Ends
NDTV
6 days ago
- NDTV
Who Was Model San Rechal, Who Died By Suicide In Puducherry?
Model and social media influencer San Rechal, 26, died by suicide in Puducherry on Sunday. She was reportedly struggling with financial stress and personal challenges. The model allegedly consumed a large quantity of pills after visiting her father's home, leading to her hospitalisation. San Rechal was transferred between multiple hospitals before she died at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research. A note recovered by the police stated that no one was accountable for her death. San Rechal had recently got married. Authorities are investigating possible marital issues as a contributing factor to her death. Who Was San Rechal San Rechal, also known as San Rechal Gandhi and Shankarapriya, was a model from Puducherry. She gained recognition for challenging traditional beauty standards, particularly the obsession with fair skin in India. She was the winner of multiple beauty pageants, including Miss Pondicherry (2020–2021) and Miss Dark Queen Tamil Nadu (2019). She represented India in the Miss Africa Golden 2023 pageant. She also walked the ramp as a model at several fashion shows and featured in several advertisements. View this post on Instagram A post shared by San rechal Gandhi / Pageant Coach (@san_rechal_official) In addition to her modelling career, San Rechal was actively involved in the 'Pondicherry Queens' community on Coto, a platform where women support and motivate each other. San Rechal's Stance On Colourism In The Entertainment Industry San Rechal was known for her dedication to promoting inclusivity and self-acceptance in the beauty and modelling industries. Her journey to self-acceptance begun while she was still in school, after years of being targeted because of her skin tone. She was driven to use to her voice as an example for those who experienced similar discrimination due to their skin colour. View this post on Instagram A post shared by San rechal Gandhi / Pageant Coach (@san_rechal_official) In an interview with Etimes, San Rechal shared why it was important to break unrealistic beauty stereotypes. She said, "My vision for the future is to create an environment that is free of any unrealistic standards and stereotypes of beauty. I wish to be in a position that changes the current perspectives of the modeling and beauty industry in our society. I believe that anyone can achieve their goals and dreams." The late model added, "The key ingredient is just to focus on yourself irrespective of what society says, irrespective of any obstacles or hindrances in your immediate external environment. I want to bring that kind of change and create a generation that focuses on achieving whatever they put their hearts into irrespective of colour, size, weight, and height, not just in the beauty industry but in all the others as well." Even though San Rechal was previously turned down by beauty pageants due to the colour of her skin, she eventually found success as a model, winning four titles and numerous awards. San Rechal, who had 180,000 followers on Instagram, was also the co-founder of a modelling agency Rose Noire Fashion & Grooming Ltd, and RADO's gift, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to rescuing and caring for indigenous puppies.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
San Rachel, model and advocate against colour bias, ‘dies by suicide' in Puducherry at 26
San Rachel, a model and outspoken advocate for inclusivity in the Indian beauty industry, allegedly died by suicide on Sunday at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry. She was 26. Rachel was admitted to Jipmer after her health deteriorated following an overdose of sleeping pills, allegedly consumed on July 5, according to police sources. She was initially treated at the Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and was later admitted to a private hospital in Moolakulam before being transferred to Jipmer. A post-mortem examination is scheduled for Monday. An alleged suicide note recovered from her father's home stated that no one should be held responsible for her death. A Tahsildar-level inquiry has been ordered to examine the circumstances, officials said. Born and raised in Puducherry, Rachel lost her mother at a young age and was brought up by her father, D Gandhi, 57. With his encouragement, she entered the modelling world and rose to prominence despite early rejections due to her skin tone – an experience that shaped her later activism. She won several regional and national beauty titles, including Miss Dark Queen Tamil Nadu (2019), Miss Best Attitude (2019), Miss Puducherry (2020/2021), and Queen of Madras (2022 and 2023). She was runner-up in Miss Africa Golden India (2023). She represented India at events in London, Germany, France, and South Africa. Rachel was also the founder of Rose Noire Fashion Grooming, a pageant and modelling mentorship platform. On social media, she often used her visibility to challenge colourism and promote self-acceptance among young women. She was recently married and living with her husband in Puducherry.
