The inaugural ceremony featured vibrant parades and traditional ensembless.
Credit: Special Arrangement
Hyderabad: The Miss World 2025 competition officially commenced in Hyderabad on Saturday evening with a spectacular display of cultural performances, international fashion, and global representation. The inaugural ceremony featured vibrant parades and traditional ensembles, with Miss India Nandita Gupta proudly leading the delegation while carrying the Indian tricolor.
Credit: Special Arrangement
Credit: Special Arrangement
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Miss World Limited Chairperson Julia Morley CBE, and reigning Miss World Krystyna Pyszková jointly inaugurated the prestigious festival, which is widely recognised as the world's most esteemed beauty pageant. The grand ceremony opened with a powerful message of global peace and unity, reflecting the pageant's core mission of "Beauty with a Purpose."
The event brilliantly showcased Telangana's rich cultural heritage through captivating performances of traditional folk and tribal dances, including Perini, Kommu Koya, Lambada, and Oggu Dolu. These performances offered a warm, authentic welcome to contestants representing over 110 countries, capturing the essence of Telangana's traditions while setting an inspiring tone for the month-long festival.
Julia Morley, Chairperson of Miss World Limited, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating, "We are thrilled to bring the Miss World festival to Telangana, a place where tradition beautifully intertwines with innovation. This year's pageant reflects the spirit of world unity, peace, and cultural appreciation, and I am excited to witness the remarkable journeys of each contestant as they inspire the world."
Jayesh Ranjan, who holds Full Additional Charge (FAC) as Special Chief Secretary of Telangana's Youth Advancement, Tourism, and Culture Department, welcomed participants with notable warmth. "It is a historic day as the 72nd Miss World opens in Telangana. Today will be marked as a significant moment where a powerful message of peace is being conveyed to the world. I wish all the contestants to also become ambassadors of peace in their respective countries," he remarked.
Krystyna Pyszková, the reigning Miss World, reflected on her journey during the ceremony, "A heartfelt thank you to the government of Telangana for welcoming all the contestants with open hearts. I encourage all the contestants to showcase the rich heritage of their countries and be the voices of their communities. I am proud to have been crowned the 71st Miss World in India, and it is an honor to pass my crown in this incredible country once again."
A highlight of the inauguration was the colorful parade where contestants introduced themselves while proudly carrying their national flags and showcasing their unique cultural identities a beautiful manifestation of unity in diversity that stands at the core of the Miss World philosophy.
The 72nd Miss World festival, which runs from May 7 to May 31, encompasses a diverse array of cultural, spiritual, and charitable activities. The upcoming itinerary features a visit to the sacred Buddhavanam at Nagarjunasagar on May 12, followed by a heritage walk at Charminar and Laad Bazaar on May 13. Contestants will also attend a royal welcome dinner at the historic Chowmahalla Palace, accompanied by a live musical concert.
This spectacular opening ceremony has set the stage for a month-long celebration that honors beauty, culture, and humanitarian values core principles that have defined the Miss World pageant throughout its illustrious history.