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Imphal: Following a neck and neck battle, Rajasthan’s Nandini Gupta was crowned Femina Miss India World 2023, Delhi’s Shreya Poonja was declared Femina Miss India 2023 – 1st Runner-up, while Manipur’s Thounaojam Strela Luwang was crowned Femina Miss India 2023 – 2nd Runner-up at VLCC & Trends co-present Femina Miss India 2023 hosted by Manipur Tourism, co-powered by ORRA Fine Jewellery, makeup partner Colorbar Made for Magic & co-powered by Rajnigandha Pearls.
The 59th edition of India’s foremost prestigious pageant successfully orchestrated yet another season’s grand finale in a historic ceremony at the Indoor Stadium, Khuman Lampak, Imphal, who played the perfect host to the mesmerizing event.
The star-studded coronation night that celebrated the ethos of beauty in diversity unfolded with sensational performances set against creative excellence and artistic mastery by the dashing Kartik Aaryan and the beautiful Ananya Panday. A breathtaking performance was also delivered by the former winners, Sini Shetty, Rubal Shekhawat, Shinata Chauhan, Manasa Varanasi, Manika Sheokand, Manya Singh, Suman Rao and Shivani Jadhav, who took the stage in exquisite and finely crafted lehengas from Mohey. And adding an entertaining element to the event, the dynamic duo Manish Paul and Bhumi Pednaker kept the audience engaged with their wits and improvisations.
Aspirants from across the country battled for the national title in a bid to rewrite their own destinies. A nationwide hunt was organized to select representatives from 29 states (including Delhi) and a collective representative for all Union Territories (including J&K), adding up to 30 participants.
It was for the very first time the Times Group entered into a partnership with the Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur, to host the grand finale of Femina Miss India 2023 in the capital of Manipur, a first of its kind initiative in the history of the pageant—the 30 state winners who arrived in Imphal to a warm reception and felicitation. In an attempt to prompt and experience the state’s rich culture, the state winners visited various tourist attractions of key significance. In addition, they showcased the unique heritage and history during their stay in the capital city, Imphal.
Further in the evening, the gorgeous state winners walked the ramp adorning stunning creations by Namrata Joshipura for Trends, Rocky Star and Robert Naorem showcasing traditional costumes. The state winners were judged by an elite panel consisting of Femina Miss India Universe 2002 and Mentor Neha Dhupia, boxing icon Laishram Sarita Devi, ace choreographer Terence Lewis, film director and writer Harshavarshan Kulkarni and distinguished designers Rocky Star and Namrata Joshipura.
The ceremony concluded with the crowning ceremony. Sini Shetty crowned her successor Nandini Gupta as the winner of Femina Miss India World 2023, who will now represent India at the prestigious 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant. At the same time, Rubal Shekhawat and Shinata Chauhan crowned Shreya Poonja and Thounaojam Strela Luwang, respectively. The outgoing queens Sini, Rubal and Shinata strutted the ramp with utmost grace and elegance before crowning their successors.
Continuing the legacy that saw Six Miss Worlds who made us proud by marking their presence on the globe- Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999), Priyanka Chopra (2000) and Manushi Chhillar (2017), the country awaits the crowning of the new title holder, who could take the legacy of our great nation forward.
Femina Miss India is the country’s most sought-after glamorous beauty pageant that turns dreams into reality.
The talent hunt involves a careful search for the most promising candidate, poised with beauty, confidence, elegance, and intelligence, to represent India at Miss World.
Since its inception, the household name of Femina Miss India has been a launchpad to million dreams, having scripted iconic success stories and hall of fame, such as Zeenat Aman, Juhi Chawla, Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra, Dia Mirza, Manushi Chhillar and Neha Dhupia, to name a few. In addition, India is among the few countries to have won six Miss World Titles. (Courtesy: Times of India)
