Hydebarabad: Despite calls for cancellation or postponement given the tense situation along the borders with Pakistan, the Miss World Festival pageant officially kickstarted Saturday at the Gachibowli Stadium here.
The Revanth Reddy-led Congress government in Telangana is hosting the 72nd edition of the international event this year, preparation for which has been underway since the last few months.
Though the annoucement of halting of all hostilities Saturday, just an hour before the inaugural event , brought some relief to the government facing flak, the continuing tensions between the two nations again dampened the enthusiasm.
CM Revanth Reddy made an appearance at the two-hour showy event, introducing all the 110 contestants from across the world in their costumes representing their nation’s culture-traditions, only towards the end. Chief secretary Ramakrishna Rao was filling in the CM’s place till then.
Reddy simply announced the opening of Miss World ceremony, without delivering his two-minute speech according to the programme.
Over the next three weeks ending with the grand finale on 31 May, various shows, events, competitions are scheduled in Hyderabad and other touristy places in Telangana like the 13th century Ramappa temple, about 200 km away, and Pochampally, known for its Ikkat sarees.
One event is also arranged at the AIG Hospitals in Hyderabad, which officials say, is to further promote medical tourism that Hyderabad is becoming a big centre for.
However, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has been demanding the Congress government to cancel the pageant. “How can such pageants be held amidst the tense conflict situation with Pakistan and that too with participation of representatives from enemy countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey and Canada?” questioned Dr Ravinuthala Shashidhar, VHP National Spokesperson.
“The circumstances have not eased on the border despite the ceasefire agreement. At a time when our police should be actively involved in surveillance and safety of many defense establishments, Telangana cops of three Commissionerates in Hyderabad are invested in Miss World security and they will be for three weeks amid the national crisis. The government should immediately stop the pageant and position our forces for public safety,” Ravinuthala told ThePrint.
Opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K. Kavitha has also appealed to the state government to postpone the Miss World pageant.
“It is not appropriate to hold beauty pageants at this time of war in the country,” the former MP and president of Telangana Jagruti said as she suggested that the pageant should also be postponed in the lines of Indian Premier League (IPL). “This is the time to show wisdom and not give room for wrong indications.”
Even as the show began on Saturday, some more contestants are arriving in Hyderabad like Miss Serbia Aleksandra Rutovic on Sunday morning.
Top government officials said that the event would continue as planned, but the festivities would be toned down. There would be no firecrackers bursting, they said.
“We understand the border situation and are sensitive to the developments, but as the facilitators, we cannot pull back from the major international event at the last moment. We will continue our participation and provide logistical etc, support but there would be no over the top revelries, celebrations,” Jayesh Ranjan, special chief secretary, in-charge of tourism, culture department, told ThePrint.
The event organisers, Ranjan said, are the UK based Miss World Limited of which Julia Morley is the chairman and CEO.
The senior IAS officer said that though CM Revanth would attend the inaugural and the finale, a grand gala dinner the state government was to host for the participants at the iconic Chowmahallah Palace in the old city now stands cancelled.
Ranjan is placed in full additional charge of tourism and culture only two weeks back as Smita Sabharwal, IAS, was transferred back to the Telangana finance commission as its member secretary in the days following her ‘X’ repost seen as critical of Revanth government’s forest razing action at the HCU-Kancha Gachibowli lands.
Cyberabad police officials said that an extra layer of security is in place to ensure fool-proof safety of the participants, organizers and the spectators, from any threats.
“We reviewed the situation and there are no issues, as of now, from a security point of view. As it is an evolving situation at the borders, with impact nationwide, we are fully prepared to deal with all circumstances,” Avinash Mohanty, Commissioner, Cyberabad Police, told ThePrint.
Ranjan said, “All the police machinery is on high alert, everything is under control, and we have the wherewithal to tackle any untoward occurrence. Anyway, we are flexible, in case any development needs us to change our present decision to go ahead with the show.”
Miss World beauty contestants represent countries and territories from every continent, including major pageant nations such as India, the US, Venezuela, and South Africa, as well as far-off countries like Guadeloupe, Gibraltar, Martinique, and Curaçao.
India’s Nandini Gupta is joined by participants such as Athenna Crosby (USA), a media personality and actress, Emma Morrison (Canada), an indigenous advocate and crafts artist, and Valeria Caññavo (Venezuela), from a nation with a celebrated pageant legacy.
Over the coming weeks, the contestants will explore Telangana’s heritage, artistry, and innovation through curated events, cultural showcases, and purpose led presentations culminating in the Miss World Grand Finale on 31 May at HITEX, Hyderabad, said officials.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
