Tourism Secretary Smita Sabharwal. File | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal
With less than a month to go, Telangana is gearing up to host the 72nd edition of the Miss World beauty pageant with preparations underway round-the-clock. On Tuesday, the State government officials ran through the gamut of the line up at the Chowmahalla Palace. Speaking with The Hindu on the sidelines, Telangana Tourism Secretary Smita Sabharwal shared that the focus is on showcasing Telangana’s culture, warmth, and hospitality to the world. The event will be invite-only, not ticketed, with a curated audience including students, achievers, and industry leaders, she informed. Excerpts from the interview
Will the Miss World event be open to the public? Will there be ticket sales?
It’s not a ticketed event. It’s by invitation only. That decision rests with the Miss World organisers, not the Telangana government. They have a longstanding tradition and theme they want to continue following. However, we’re making efforts to invite a wide spectrum of people who can be positively impacted by the event. For instance, the Gachibowli stadium can host over 3,000 people. So, for the inaugural event, we’ll be inviting armed forces personnel, members of the judiciary, leaders from the hospitality and travel industries, young achievers, students to form a diverse and representative audience. We did not want this to become a commercial exercise.
With less than a month to go before the Miss World event kicks off, how are the preparations shaping up?
We’re moving at a very good pace. We’re working closely with the police department to roll out a detailed security plan to ensure the safety of both contestants and the general public. On the civic side, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is using this as an opportunity to showcase the city’s achievements. The entire city will be beautifully lit and spruced up. The Tourism Department, in particular, is working around the clock. I like to say we’re not doing it 24/7, we’re on 25/8 mode. Each venue brings its own set of logistical challenges. Our aim is to retain the authenticity of these spaces. For instance, at the Chowmahalla Palace, we don’t want to stage anything, these aren’t film sets. Each venue must reflect its true character. These contestants are goodwill ambassadors, they’ll return home with stories to tell. So, we want their experience to be unforgettable, from food to hospitality.
The budget allocated is ₹27 crorewith the expectation that a major chunk will be covered through sponsorships. How is that going?
The response has been overwhelming. We have more sponsors than we need, it’s actually reached a point where we’re having to politely say no. Corporates, hospitals, major industry players, everyone wants to be associated with this event. So yes, no concerns at all on the sponsorship front.
Can you give us a sense of the security arrangements from the time the contestants land at RGIA till their departure?
A senior additional director general (ADG)-level police officer is leading the security planning in collaboration with us. In addition, the Miss World organisation has its own security detail. We’ll have mentors and liaison officers, mostly young women well-versed in Telangana’s culture and history, who’ll accompany each contestant. They will manage communication, help with logistics, and ensure contestants are comfortable and cared for. On the ground, the police will oversee physical security. Green corridors will be created for contestant movements, and nothing will be left to chance.
Where will the contestants be staying?
For obvious reasons, we’re not disclosing the exact location yet. But rest assured, it will be a hotel known for top-tier safety, prior experience with high-profile events, and robust security protocols, including CCTV coverage and surveillance. We’ve assessed multiple factors before locking it in.
With temperatures hitting 40°Cwhat measures are being taken to manage the heat for the participants and guests?
Yes, we’re watching the weather closely, and we’re as concerned as anyone else. Most events are scheduled for the evenings, post-sunset, to avoid the heat. Programmes have been kept crisp. We’re also advising contestants on staying hydrated and dressing appropriately. Medical teams and partner hospitals will be on standby at all venues.
Published – April 09, 2025 05:24 PM is
