Latest news with #MissAustralia
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Raj Bhavan hosts Miss World 2025 winners as Telangana celebrates Formation Day with cultural splendour
The stately Raj Bhavan transformed into a vibrant celebration venue on Monday evening as Telangana marked its Formation Day with a special honour, the presence of the recently crowned Miss World 2025 Opal Suchata Chuangsri and continental winners of the global beauty pageant. The evening blended tradition and international glamour, as Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Governor Jishnu Dev Varma welcomed the beauty queens who have spent the past month touring the State. The gathering, held over high tea, was steeped in Telangana's cultural spirit, with the guests of honour receiving traditional performances that showcased the region's artistic diversity. The ceremony began with each of the contestants invited to share their reflections on their month-long stay in the State. representing Thailand, expressed deep gratitude for the hospitality extended by Telangana and spoke fondly of her experience. 'From the very first step in Telangana, I felt the warmth, not just from the sun, but from people's smiles. To me, Telangana is a place where tradition blends beautifully with innovation. It is a State that represents beauty, progress and world-class healthcare, which is close to my heart.' Continental winner from Africa Miss Ethiopia Hasset Dereje, the first runner-up, echoed the sentiment, describing Telangana as her home for the past month. Second runner-up and Continental winner from Europe Miss Poland Maja Klajda, visiting India for the first time, called the experience unforgettable. 'Telangana is full of celebrations, traditions and, most of all, beautiful people,' she said, asserting that it would not be her last visit. Continental winner from the Americas Miss Brazil Jéssica Pedroso, third runner-up, reflected on India's diversity and the unity she witnessed in Telangana. 'I have learned something very special here: despite our differences, we can be united. Telangana has shown us that diversity is a strength,' she said. Continental winners from Caribbean Miss Martinique Aurélie Joachim called her visit a dream come true, while Miss Philippines Krishnah Gravidez, representing Asia, celebrated the State's resilience and sense of community. Miss Australia Jasmine Stringer, representing Oceania, lauded the hospitality and vowed to spread the story of Telangana's warmth across the globe. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, addressing the gathering, said the event was a reflection of Telangana's inclusive spirit and deep-rooted cultural ethos. 'Telangana is a place where everyone feels they belong. It is a shining example of how development and heritage can go hand in hand.' He noted that the Miss World delegates had explored historic and modern landmarks across the State, from the Ramappa and Thousand Pillar Temples to the dynamic tech hub of Hitech City. Highlighting the evening's eco-conscious touch, the Governor drew attention to the leaf plates used for serving high tea, handcrafted by tribal communities. 'These plates are not just sustainable, they represent our belief in thinking globally and acting locally,' he said. Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao, and Director General of Police Jitender were among the dignitaries present. The event concluded with the felicitation of the beauty queens by the Governor, Chief Minister, and Tourism Minister. In a symbolic gesture, Miss World presented a garland to the Governor, explaining that in Thai culture, garlands signify love and respect.
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Empathy, Impact, and Powerful Purpose: Day 2 of Miss World's Head-to-Head Challenge Shines in Hyderabad
On Day 2 of the Head to Head Challenge at Hyderabad's T-Hub, the spotlight turned to contestants from Europe, Oceania, and Asia; and what unfolded was nothing short of inspiring. Each delegate was given four minutes to share not just who they are, but what they stand for, using their voice to support the cause closest to their heart. Miss India, Nandini Gupta, proudly representing a nation of over a billion, opened up about her roots in a farming family and her journey of learning finance. She shared her "Beauty With a Purpose" project, EKta, inspired by her paternal uncle who has polio and is unable to speak. As a child, she wondered what would happen to those without support or care? Her project stands with people who have been marginalised. She shared her experiences working with para-athletes, bicycling with them, and supporting children with Down Syndrome. 'Standing together with those who were told they do not belong,' she said. When Miss Nepal took the stage, her purpose focused on Dalit women and their rights. Her project, Panchapranali, is a vow to stay rooted within communities and amplify voices that are often unheard. Ukraine's representative delivered a stirring message on the importance of restoring education and opportunity in a country ravaged by war. 'Education is not a luxury; it is a human right,' she said with conviction. Miss Wales took a strong stand against the surge in knife crime, proudly sharing how she has already trained 30,000 people in life-saving skills, teaching them how to act in emergencies in just 8 minutes. Miss North Macedonia, appearing for the first time from her country since it took on a new name, brought attention to the plight of stray animals, advocating for compassion and care for voiceless beings. From Miss Netherlands, the message was clear: the eradication of poverty must be a global mission, one that demands awareness, equity, and actionable steps. Montenegro's representative invoked Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha, speaking on peaceful resistance as a timeless philosophy in today's fractured world. Miss Gibraltar brought a powerful voice against physical and sexual abuse, urging global action and survivor support. In a deeply emotional moment, Miss Armenia paid tribute to the lives lost in a tragic fire in Hyderabad over the weekend, near Charminar. She even recalled the history of conflict in her own country and broke down in tears as she spoke about her mission to support children affected by war and loss. Miss Australia too shared a heart-wrenching story wherein she expressed how 1 in 4 women murdered in Australia are victims of domestic violence. The delegate shared the tragic loss of her best friend, Tara Brown, who was killed by her partner at just 24. Through her foundation, Miss Australia is now working to build sanctuaries for women survivors, providing safety and hope. Lastly, Miss Bangladesh turned the spotlight on neurodiverse children, sharing her project 'Young Minds Matter'. Through her advocacy for children with ADHD and mental health challenges, she emphasized the importance of supporting young, developing minds in a world that often misunderstands them. Day 2 of the Head to Head Challenge was not just a pageant segment, it was a global call for change, showcasing the intelligence, heart, and commitment of these young women determined to make a difference. The journey continues, and so does the hope.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
Former Miss Australia Found Guilty of Emotionally Abusing and Intimidating Her Ex-Husband: Reports
A former Miss Australia has been found guilty of emotionally abusing her ex-husband, a court in Tasmania has heard Kathryn Isobel Hay, 49, is accused of threatening Troy Shane Richardson with violence, punching him and hitting him several times with a shoe, per reports The former couple were together from 2010 until 2022 and share two children together, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) A former Miss Australia has been found guilty in court of emotionally abusing and intimidating her ex-husband. On Wednesday, March 5, Kathryn Isobel Hay, 49 — who was Miss Australia and Miss Tasmania in 1999 — was found guilty of emotional abuse or intimidation at the Launceston Magistrates Court in Tasmania, per the Australian Associated Press (AAP). According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Hay pleaded not guilty to a single charge of emotional abuse or intimidation in 2023 before she faced a hearing last year. She's accused of emotionally abusing her former partner, Troy Shane Richardson, during a time frame that allegedly took place between January 2014 and November 2022, per the ABC. The outlet stated the former couple were together from 2010 until 2022 and share two children. The court heard on March 5 that Australian Labor politician Hay — who is a former Member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly — was found guilty, with the "majority of the particulars on the charge proven," per 9 News. Richardson had told the hearing in 2024 that his former partner had been verbally abusive when they were together, as well as accusing her of threatening him with violence, punching him and hitting him several times with a shoe, per the AAP. The ABC added that Hay also threw a bowl of cereal at him, as well as frequently abusing him online. The outlet reported that Hay had claimed that she was the victim of abuse. Richardson, who said he met Hay at a dog show in 2009 before they tied the knot in 2012, previously told the court their relationship had deteriorated around 2013 after their second child was born, the AAP reported. "She would often make a point of having an argument in public just to make me feel low," he said of the alleged abuse, per the outlet, claiming that the suspect punched him in 2020, stating he was left with a black eye. The following year, Hay was then taken into police custody after being accused of slapping her then-partner for "driving around a corner too fast," per the AAP. A family violence order was placed against her, but the victim claimed the suspect had "later demanded he have the order revoked." Magistrate Simon Brown told the court on Wednesday, "It was the prosecutors' case that the defendant controlled and abused the complainant," per the ABC. "It was the defense case that the reverse was the case," Brown added, according to the outlet. Hay — a Labor member for the northern Tasmanian seat of Bass between 2002 and 2006 — reportedly claimed the couple's finances were "entirely controlled" by her former partner, the publication stated. However, Brown claimed this likely wasn't the case as the ABC added that she'd allegedly purchased a property at Norwood in northern Tasmania. "The evidence here proves that it was the defendant [Hay] who was the prime mover … she paid a handsome, somewhat overly inflated price [for the property]. The property was registered in her name and her name only," Brown said, per the outlet. Brown continued, "Generally, I found her [Hay] to be a dishonest and unreliable witness," the ABC reported. "She, over a period of years and years, caused the complainant distress," Brown said. "If the defendant had stopped to think, she ought to have known that her conduct would have caused her husband to be intimidated." Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The suspect denied physical abuse but did admit that bad language might have been used occasionally as the relationship became toxic, per the AAP. Hay has been bailed and is expected to be sentenced on April 17, the outlet reported. The Launceston Magistrates Court didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People
