India to host 71st Miss World Pageant after 28-year hiatus
PTC Web Desk: India is gearing up to host the 71st Miss World pageant after a hiatus of 28 years, marking a significant return of the prestigious event to the country. The announcement was made by the organisers, and the official Miss World page shared the news on social media. Julia Morley CBE, Chairman of Miss World, expressed excitement about India hosting the event, highlighting it as a celebration of beauty, diversity and empowerment.
The last time India hosted the Miss World pageant was in 1996 in Bengaluru. The historical significance of Indian women in the pageant includes Reita Faria Powell becoming the first Indian woman to win the Miss World crown in 1966. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan secured the title in 1994, followed by Diana Hayden in 1997, Yukta Mookhey in 1999, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas in 2000. Manushi Chhillar continued this tradition by winning the Miss World crown in 2017.
Karolina Bielawska of Poland, the reigning Miss World, will pass on the crown to her successor at the upcoming event. The 71st Miss World pageant is scheduled to take place between February 18 and March 9, with various venues, including the G-20 site, Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, and the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.
The festivities will kick off with "The Opening Ceremony" and "India Welcomes the World Gala" on February 20, hosted by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) at Hotel Ashok in New Delhi. The grand finale is set to take place on March 9 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Julia Evelyn Morley CBE, the Chairman and CEO of the Miss World Organisation, expressed her admiration for India and emphasised that the event is more than just a competition – it's a month-long festival celebrating female achievement.
Munish Gupta, advisor to the Miss World Organisation in India, highlighted that the pageant would showcase the rich tapestry of India's culture, traditions, heritage, arts, crafts, textiles, cuisine, and tourism to a global audience. In a departure from tradition, each contestant will have their own media channel on MissWorld.com, allowing them to showcase why they deserve to advance to the Top 20 finals.
The Miss World event, founded in 1951, distinguishes itself by going beyond traditional beauty contests and focusing on the ability and intelligence of participants to effect positive change through humanitarian service. Various competitions and challenges will be held during the event, including the World Top Designer Award, Miss World Sports Challenge, Miss World Talent Final, Multi-Media Challenge, Head To Head Challenge Final, and Continental Beauty With A Purpose Challenge.
Endemol Shine India is taking charge of producing the 71st Miss World Final, with Rishi Negi, Group COO- Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India, expressing pride in securing the television production mandate for the event.
The grand finale is set to be telecast live on March 9 from 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. This marks a momentous occasion for India, as it steps back into the spotlight of the global beauty pageant scene after nearly three decades.
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