Hyderabad, May 11 – The 72nd edition of the Miss World beauty pageant is currently underway in Hyderabad, where contestants from 110 countries are vying for the coveted crown. Among the participants are representatives from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, each bringing with them unique projects that reflect the pageant's core theme of "Beauty With A Purpose". Notably absent from the lineup is Miss Pakistan, though organisers clarified this has no relation to the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict.
Pakistan’s Non-Participation Clarified
Ashwani Shukla of Altair Media, the official publicist for Miss World, addressed questions surrounding the absence of a Pakistani contestant amid recent border tensions. “Pakistan has never participated in Miss World,” said Shukla. “In fact, their presence in global pageants has been rare.” He cited the backlash following Erica Robin’s historic representation of Pakistan at Miss Universe in 2023, which had sparked significant controversy back home.India’s Nandini Gupta Advocates for Inclusion
Representing the host nation is Nandini Gupta from Kota, Rajasthan, who is championing inclusivity through her initiative, Project Ekta. Inspired by her uncle’s battle with polio and developmental delays, Gupta aims to empower differently-abled individuals. “We have created a world that does not include the differently-abled, and righting this historical wrong is long overdue,” she said in a video on her Instagram page.Nepal’s Srichchha Pradhan Promotes Indigenous Wisdom
Srichchha Pradhan, Miss Nepal, is using her platform to advocate climate action through her project Pancha Pranali, which emphasizes ancestral wisdom and harmony with nature. “In listening to the rivers, the trees, and the animals, we are healing ourselves,” she shared on Instagram, urging a shift from problem-solving to narrative re-direction rooted in respect for the environment.Bangladesh’s Atika Konika Highlights Mental Health Crisis
From Bangladesh, Atika Konika joined the pageant as a last-minute inclusion. Despite being the First Runner-Up in Miss World Bangladesh 2024, she was selected following last-minute changes. A certified mental health support worker, Konika has turned her personal struggles with ADHD, anxiety, and self-worth into Young Mind Matters, a project aimed at tackling the student mental health crisis. “Mental health is never optional,” she asserted, citing nearly 1,000 student suicides in Bangladesh between 2023 and 2024.Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara Breaks Menstrual Taboos
Anudi Gunasekara, representing Sri Lanka, is fighting stigma around menstrual health with her Saheli project. Through widespread outreach across schools, prisons, workplaces, and monasteries, she provides education and essential products to improve hygiene standards. “This project is not just part of the competition; it's part of who I am,” she declared on Instagram.Indian Heritage Shines in Finland and Malaysia
Indian heritage also finds representation through contestants from Finland and Malaysia. Miss Finland Sofia Singh attributes her resilience to her diverse upbringing and her mother’s journey from India to Finland. “It is a story of perseverance that fuels my drive to grow and give back,” she said.Saroop Roshi, Miss Malaysia, is a psychologist and model who proudly celebrated her Indian roots on Mother's Day by sharing a photo of her mother and grandmother. Her journey is deeply influenced by the strength of women in her life.
India Hosts Miss World for the Third Time
India is hosting the Miss World competition for the third time. The first was in 1996 in Bengaluru, where Miss World Greece, Irene Skliva, was crowned. That grand finale, held at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, was reportedly viewed by over 1 billion people across 115 nations. The stage, designed by award-winning art director Sabu Cyril, was inspired by the ancient ruins of Hampi and cost nearly USD 200,000.A Message of Unity and Peace
In a time of global uncertainty, Julia Morley, Chairman and CEO of Miss World Limited, affirmed that the 2024 pageant reflects the themes of world unity and cultural appreciation. “This year's pageant reflects the spirit of world unity, peace, and cultural appreciation,” Morley said at the opening ceremony.Krystyna Pyszkova, the 71st Miss World and winner crowned in India, will hand over her title on May 31, expressing pride in passing the crown again in a country that has played a significant role in the history of the pageant.
With compelling stories, powerful projects, and a shared commitment to social change, the Miss World 2024 pageant in Hyderabad is proving to be more than just a beauty contest — it's a celebration of purpose-driven global unity.