Nandini Gupta Miss India at Miss World 2025 Contest in Hyderabad
From Tractor Rides in Kota to the World Stage: Nandini Gupta’s Unstoppable Journey
to Miss World 2025
“I’m not just representing India—I’m walking as India.”
At the opening ceremony of Miss World 2025, all eyes were on a young woman clad in a masterpiece that celebrated the soul of India. Draped in a handcrafted lehenga by legendary designer Gaurang Shah, Nandini Gupta Miss India didn’t just walk—she made a statement. The palla of her saree flowed with a story, showcasing the intricate bangdi mor motif—four peacocks in a circle—blended with Charkha Khadi, Jamdani weaves from Andhra Pradesh, and touches of Gujarat and Maharashtra. “That lehenga took years to make. That’s the Indian craftsmanship. It was Gaurang’s vision, his experience, and I just walked in it,” Nandini recalls, still glowing from the moment.
But long before the applause, before the cameras and the jewels from Kishandas that adorned her like a goddess of the South, Nandini was just a girl from Kota, Rajasthan—a girl with dreams far bigger than the boundaries around her.
Nandini Gupta – Born to Break Barriers
“I come from a very small town. My father is a farmer, and my mother is a homemaker,” she says with unfiltered honesty. “Growing up, I saw my father never driving the tractor himself. But he made sure his daughters did. He always said, ‘You must be equal to ten sons.’”
In a place where patriarchy often dictates a woman’s path, Nandini’s parents carved a different road—one where their daughters were empowered. When she first expressed her interest in pageantry, the only condition her father set was: “Score 95% in your 12th boards, and I’ll let you play.”
She scored 92%.
“People Laughed at My Dreams. I Didn’t.”
Even after acing academics and getting into college on the first merit list, her challenges were far from over. “When I used to tell people my dreams, they laughed. ‘You’re from Kota. How will you survive in Mumbai?’ they’d say.”
Her journey to Mumbai was not just geographical—it was linguistic, emotional, and deeply personal. “My first language was Hindi, second was Hadoti, and English came last,” she says. “I used to struggle. I was scared. But then I realized—if you’re scared of something, it means it’s the best thing for you.”
She immersed herself in English. Books. Songs. Movies. Today, she fluently switches between languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Punjabi, and even dialects for commercial projects. “Languages are now my strongest talent.”
Redefining Beauty, One Step at a Time
Miss World is no longer just about gowns and glitter, and Nandini Gupta Miss India is proof. “Inclusivity is not about fitting into a criteria. It’s about normalizing people as they are,” she asserts.
At the national costume round, held during the opening ceremony in Hyderabad, Nandini’s look broke stereotypes. She wore not a gown but a deeply symbolic traditional ensemble. “To wear something diverse and represent a country that is diverse—that was the idea,” she explains. “And to walk for India, to be introduced to the world as India, that moment was magical.”
With sun and moon motifs in her jewellery and traditional wonkies (South Indian waist belts), she carried both the cultural heritage and spiritual essence of India. “We worship the sun and moon, and to wear them on my head—where someday a crown will be placed—that was the beauty of it.”
All Eyes on Her—From India and the World
As the host country contestant, Nandini had more than just the spotlight—she had the hearts of the nation. “I don’t think anyone in Miss World history has received this kind of love. I did,” she says. “There’s no pressure, just preparation and performance.”
From heritage walks to temple visits, the pre-event activities are still underway. “The rounds haven’t started yet,” she shares. “But once they do, I think you’ll see me in the tops of someone.”
Telangana: The Land That Crowned a Dream
For Nandini, Telangana holds a special place in her story. “I was an 18-year-old girl when I won Miss India here. Now I’m a 21-year-old woman walking for the world.”
Hyderabad, with its deep-rooted traditions and hospitality, embraced her. “There’s heritage in every corner, hospitality in every heart. When I walked with India’s flag held high, people didn’t chant my name—they chanted India.”
“Let Her Do What She Wants.”
Reflecting on the state of women around the world, Nandini offers a simple but powerful thought: “It’s not just about Beti Bachao or Beti Padhao. Add this—Beti agar jo karna chahe, usko abhi karne do. Let her do what she wants.”
She believes that change is already underway. “From my village, girls are now being sent to modeling and pageant coaching centers. I sparked that change. And I’ll carry it forward—on the global platform.”
