Srinagar: In a major fillip to the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions tourism (MICE) and in a historic development for the tourism industry of J&K, a group of global Beauty Divas visited Kashmir today, as a prelude to the Miss World pageant 2023 with Tourism Department making all necessary arrangements for the visit.
The officials said that the group includes Miss World, Karolina Bielawska; Miss World Caribbean, Emmy Pena; Miss World America, Shree Saini; Miss World India, Sini Shetty; Miss World England, Jessica Gagen; Miss Asia, Pricilia Carla Saputri Yules; Chairman and CEO of Miss World Organization, Julia Eric Morley and her team; Ms. Rouble Negi, founder Rouble Negi Art Foundation.
The visit of these Beauty Divas was curated by the Tourism Department in collaboration with Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, an official spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Miss World Karolina Bielawska on Monday arrived in Kashmir on a day-long tour for an event.
Poland’s Bielawska, along with other pageant winners, including Miss World India Sini Shetty, enjoyed breakfast with other dignitaries at a five-star hotel here.
Bielawska and Shetty were also joined by Miss World America Shree Saini and Julia Morley, chairperson and CEO of the Miss World Organisation.
Rouble Nagi of Rouble Nagi Art Foundation and Chairman PME entertainment in India Jamil Saidi were also present at the breakfast meeting.
Later in the day, talking to the media Miss World Karolina Bielawska said she loved her trip to Kashmir and enjoyed the hospitality offered by its people. She also donned the traditional Kashmiri pheran along with Morley.
“It’s such a beautiful place in the world. It is a very special place in the world and I did not expect that it would stun us so much. We love the boats, the colourful beautiful garden and the people,” she said.
Bielawska’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir, a first for an international beauty pageant winner, comes ahead of the 71st edition of the Miss World 2023 pageant, to be held in India later this year.
India, which has won the prestigious title six times, is hosting the pageant after nearly three decades. The last time the country hosted the event was back in 1996.
Asked about choosing India as the host destination for the pageant later this year, Bielawska, who is already a fan of the variety of Indian cuisine, said it was because of the famous Indian hospitality.
“We felt that Indian people are famous for their hospitality. They are welcoming us so nicely and wherever we go, and India is so diverse, but the values in the heart of the people are always the same. It’s the goodness and kindness. We really feel here like home,” she added.
Morley said hosting the event in India is like coming home because the pageant has so many winners from the country.
“India has a very special connection, particularly with me. We have had wonderful winners from this world and we couldn’t have a better fit… So for me, it’s like coming home. Every time I come here, we celebrate something beautiful,” Morley said.
She said many countries were interested in hosting the competition as it’s a good opportunity but they chose India.
“We have been blessed in India before and we’re blessed again to be back. Our job is to promote goodness in the world and tourism. India has a special place in my heart and the people are so welcoming,” she said.
Meanwhile, an official spokesman said that the visit of these celebrities is expected to give a further push to MICE tourism in J&K which is already witnessing a very encouraging scenario after the successful holding of 3rd Working Group meeting of G 20 countries here in May this year. The G 20 event which has proved to be a game changer and a transformative event for the local tourism has led to an increased footfall of foreign travellors visiting the UT which has gone up several notches after the successful event. Several national and international corporate bodies and companies have planned their events in UT and many high profile dignitaries have visited the region in the meantime.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman, PME, Jamil Saidi described Kashmir as the crowning jewel of India which has a special place for him. He said the majestic landscape and warm people here reminds him of unity in diversity. He thanked Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha and the Tourism Department for hosting them.
Replying to a question, Saidi said J&K is poised to host such major global beauty and corporate events for which he complimented the people concerned.
The visit of global Beauty Divas to Jammu & Kashmir promises to be a blend of elegance, artistry and cultural exchange. Embracing the ethos of art, culture, and international allure, the visit will not only showcase the region’s picturesque landscapes but also provide a global platform for local artists and artisans to interact.
During the visit, divas are expected to immerse themselves in Jammu and Kashmir’s scenic beauty and local artistry with an opportunity to engage with the local community, highlighting the region’s unique heritage.
