
Miss World 2025 kicks off with grand opening ceremony in Hyderabad
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy formally inaugurated the global beauty and cultural event.
The glittering opening ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries including Telangana Tourism Minister Jupalli Krishna Rao, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, Special Chief Secretary ITE&C and Industries Jayesh Ranjan, Tourism Corporation Chairman Patel Ramesh Reddy, Hyderabad Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi, DGP Anjani Kumar, Miss World Organization Chairperson Julia Morley, and reigning Miss World Karolina Bielawska.
A total of 110 contestants from across the globe are participating in the competition.
The Telangana government curated a grand cultural showcase to promote local heritage and tradition during the opening ceremony.
The festivities began with the rendition of the Telangana state anthem 'Jaya Jaya Hey', penned by noted poet Ande Sri. This was followed by a stunning Perini dance performance by 250 artistes, which set the stage for a vibrant evening of cross-cultural celebration.
Contestants from Latin American nations captivated the audience with a dazzling display of their national costumes and cultural motifs. African country representatives added their flair with traditional attire, cuisine, and high-energy performances.
Particularly striking were the Gussadi and Kommu Koya performances, which enthralled international guests.
The Caribbean and Latin American participants were among the earliest to arrive, with Argentina and Angola leading the first two rounds. The European round featured 32 countries, with each contestant representing their homeland's unique traditions.
Notable performances included the rhythmic Dappu dance by Lambada artists and a powerful display by Oggudolu artists carrying national flags.
Asia and Oceania formed the final round, with 22 countries represented. The crowd erupted when Miss India Nandini Gupta made her entrance, carrying the tricolour. Other standout moments included Miss Nepal's elegant sari walk and Miss Vietnam's captivating dance performance.
The ceremony culminated in a moving moment as contestants from all 110 countries walked the ramp together, each holding their national flag.
The event closed with a group rendition of the Miss World anthem, symbolising unity, peace, and shared purpose.
Organisers reiterated that Miss World 2025 aims not only to celebrate beauty and talent but also to foster global harmony.
The ceremony concluded with a resounding cheer and the slogan: "Telangana Zaroor Aana" (Do Visit Telangana).
UNI VV RN
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Deccan Herald
2 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Hyderabad to be developed as India's premier film production hub
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday said the state government will develop Hyderabad into a premier hub for film production in the country. The announcement came during a meeting with winners of the 71st National Film Awards at the Chief Minister's residence, where producers highlighted the challenges faced by the industry in film production. Revanth Reddy felicitated National Award winners, including 'Bhagavanth Kesari' director Anil Ravipudi; 'HanuMan' director Prasanth Varma; visual effects team members Venkat and Srinivas; fight masters Nandu and Prithvi; 'Baby' director Sai Rajesh; and singer Rohit. Producers present at the meeting included Chaitanya Reddy and Niranjan Reddy ('HanuMan'), SKN ('Baby'), and Garapati Sahu ('Bhagavanth Kesari'), the CMO release added.


United News of India
3 hours ago
- United News of India
CBFC proposes 30 cuts for ‘Manushi': Madras HC Judge to decide justifiability
Chennai, Aug 19 (UNI) With the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) firm on 30 cuts for certifying the theatrical release of the movie 'Manushi', directed by noted filmmaker Gopi Nainar, the makers have knocked on the doors of the Judiciary for the second time. Justice N Anand Venkatesh today decided to watch the movie for himself to ascertain whether the censor board was justified in its decision. The Judge will have a private screening of the Andrea Jeremaiah-starrer on Sunday and decide whether the CBFC's stand, mandating 37 cuts for release in theatres, is tenable and based on sound reasoning or arbitrary. When the petition filed by Vetrimaran, challenging the 37 cuts suggested by the CBFC came up for hearing, the Judge took the decision to watch the movie. Produced under the banner of Grassroot Film Company of Vetrimaran, 'Manushi' is directed by Gopi Nainar, who rose to fame with his Nayanthara-starrer 'Aramm'. As shown in the trailer, released by popular actor Vijay Sethupathi, the film is about custodial torture of a woman suspected by the police to be a terrorist. Both the examining committee and screening committee of the CBFC, which had watched the movie in September last, had refused to issue the censor certificate claiming that the film had painted the State in black besides confusing Left Extremism with mainstream Communism. Director Gopi Nainar has said that 'Manushi' initiates a conversation, one which people have avoided thus far, on the rationale behind every crime and to redeem society from crimes engulfing it. According to him, Manushi narrates the harrowing story of a woman tortured in the name of inquiry, how she is not even allowed to sleep and relieve herself and how her family is defamed. Besides being a filmmaker, he is a prominent Dalit activist and a senior office-bearer of the Viduthalai Chiuthaigal Katchi (VCK) of Thol. Thirumavalavan. Aggrieved over the blanket rejection, Vetrimaran approached the High Court in June this year with his first writ petition. In his petition, the filmmaker-producer submitted that he was not given an opportunity to be heard before the CBFC denied the certification. Also, he was not informed of the individual views of the committee members, it was pointed out. Further, it was submitted that a representation was made before the CBFC in March this year to constitute an expert panel, comprised human rights activists, to examine the movie afresh. As such, he sought a direction to the Censor Board to consider his representation and issue a speaking order consequent to the re-examination. Hearing the plea, Justice Anand Venkatesh wondered how there could be a blanket rejection by the Censor Board for an entire movie even without listing what were objectionable in the visuals or dialogues. The Judge directed the CBFC to review the film and on June 17, disposed of it after the censor board submitted that it had reviewed the film and listed out the portions that required to be edited for issuance of the certificate. However, the Court also permitted Vetrimaran to proceed further in accordance with law. The present petition, the second one, was filed by Vetrimaran, contending that the CBFC had failed to view the movie in the light of the well-established guidelines and was adamant upon guillotining everyday usages such as 'saniyan' (to scold someone as akin to Saturn, bringing misfortune). When it came up for hearing, Justice Anand Venkatesh observed that he had no choice but to see the movie for himself along with the committee members to ascertain the facts about the need for 37 cuts as mandated by the CBFC. Then, he directed that arrangements be made for the screening of the movie at a private theatre in the city. UNI XC SSP


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Waka Waka' scandal? Shakira and producer John Hill made millions from song meant for charity
The 2010 FIFA World Cup official song 'Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)' was supposed to raise money for African charities, but since 2014, no clear accounting of the funds has been made. The song was a huge global hit. Shakira teamed up with American producer John Hill and South African band Freshlyground. It went platinum in the USA, diamond in France, Brazil, Germany, Sweden, and topped charts in 11 other countries, including Italy and Spain, where it stayed number one for over 15 weeks. Its YouTube video has over 4.3 billion views, and it has nearly 1 billion Spotify streams, as reported by Josimar. Waka Waka money problem FIFA and Sony Music announced on 26 April 2010 that all proceeds would go to FIFA's '20 Centers for 2010' campaign, building 20 football-based centers in Africa for education, health, and football. Shakira expressed her joy, saying the campaign supported education, and then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter praised the song as symbolizing African rhythm and identity. Thanks to the song's initial success, the centers were built within four years, but after 2014, the money vanished. Despite millions of streams, views, and downloads, the revenue disappeared without public explanation. Freshlyground asked Sony Music and FIFA, but got no answers. Who really earned from Waka Waka Shakira claimed she wrote the chorus herself, but it was lifted note-for-note from Cameroonian band Zangalewa's 1986 hit 'Zamina Mina'. Zangalewa's leader, Jean-Paul Zé-Bella, said the song was based on a military march learned during service in Cameroon's presidential guard. Their viral video made the song famous across West Africa. Live Events ALSO READ: 266 parks, endless sunshine: This US city was just crowned world's most relaxing - have you been there? The song caused outrage in French-speaking Africa, as the chorus was almost identical to Zangalewa's, with only minor changes ('nawa ah ah' replaced by 'this time for Africa'). Sony Music claimed Shakira co-wrote the song, but media pressure led to an agreement in May 2010. Zangalewa reportedly got $400,000 as an advance and 33.33% of publishing income, shared between Zé-Bella, Eugene Victor Doo Belley, and Emile Kojidie, as per the report by Josimar. Who made money from Waka Waka Freshlyground got 4% of publishing income (0.57% each), John Hill 23.33%, and Shakira 39.34%. Shakira and John Hill kept their publishing rights, meaning they earned money from the first sale of the song, unlike true charity records like Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas'. Freshlyground only recorded parts of the song in New York, under John Hill's supervision, to fulfill FIFA's requirement that African musicians be involved. Shakira barely interacted with them until the World Cup final. The 'master rights' income (from sales, streams, downloads) mostly went to Shakira and Hill, not charities. Streams and performance rights continue generating income, estimated at around $9 million, but only FIFA and Sony Music know the exact figure. Shakira still performs 'Waka Waka' on tours, earning more money each time, while African charities see little to none of it. Josimar contacted Shakira, John Hill, Sony Music, and FIFA; no responses yet. He is also trying to reach Zangalewa's surviving members. The music video, shot by Marcus Raboy and choreographed by Hi-Hat, also featured Shakira meeting Gérard Piqué, her future partner and father of two of her children. FAQs Q1. Did the money from Shakira's Waka Waka song go to African charities? No, most of the money went to Shakira and producer John Hill, and very little reached the charities. Q2. Who actually wrote the Waka Waka chorus? The chorus was taken from Cameroonian band Zangalewa's 1986 song 'Zamina Mina,' not originally by Shakira.