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New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Had to sit like performing monkeys: Miss England stirs row after exit; calls Miss World 'high-end cattle fair'
HYDERABAD: Till Saturday, the 72nd edition of Miss World was progressing as planned: A polite parade of poise, sequins and diplomatic smiles. Then came an unscheduled firework display by none other than Miss England 2024, Milla Maggie. Having left the competition on May 16, allegedly due to 'personal reasons', Maggie re-emerged in tabloid The Sun with claims that make Bridgerton look like a documentary. 'I went there to make a difference, but we had to sit like performing monkeys,' The Sun quoted her as saying, suggesting the Miss World experience was less about world peace and more about looking glamorous. Maggie, 24, didn't stop there. In tones more suited to exposés than tiaras, she claimed the whole affair resembled a sort of high-end cattle fair, where women were 'paraded to impress wealthy individuals' and she was made to feel 'like a prostitute being farmed out for entertainment.' Understandably, this did not go down too well in Hyderabad which is hosting the pageant. The state government was swift in its response. Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary for Youth Advancement, Tourism and Culture, said, 'This is just an exaggerated situation.' The Miss World Organisation (MWO) said Maggie cited health reasons for her departure. Meanwhile, the show goes on. England has now dispatched a replacement contestant, Charlotte Cox, to Hyderabad. Julia Morley, chairperson and CEO of MWO, attempted to close the chapter with a terse message: 'We responded to Maggie's departure with compassion.'
India Gazette
21-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Indian Navy inducts historic ship 'Kaundinya' built using ancient techniques
Karwar (Karnataka) [India], May 21 (ANI): The Indian Navy inducted INSV Kaundinya, a ship reconstructed using ancient shipbuilding techniques, into its fleet at the Karwar Naval Base on Wednesday. The ceremony was led by Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and was attended by Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition (CWP&A), Rear Admiral KM Ramakrishnan, Flag Officer Karnataka Naval Area, and other dignitaries. According to a release, INSV Kaundinya is a stitched sail ship, based on a 5th century CE ship depicted in the paintings of Ajanta Caves. The project was initiated through a tripartite agreement signed in Jul 2023 between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations, with funding from the Ministry of Culture. Following the keel laying in September 2023, the vessel's construction was undertaken using a traditional method of stitching by a team of skilled artisans from Kerala, led by master shipwright Shri Babu Sankaran. Over several months, the team painstakingly stitched wooden planks on the ship's hull using coir rope, coconut fibre and natural resin. The ship was launched in Feb 2025 at Goa. Speaking at the event, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, 'It is a historic and important day. India's ancient maritime capabilities and ship-building skills have been revived. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Economic Advisor, Sanjeev Sanyal, was the first to research this. Reconstructed from a 5th-century Ajanta painting, the ship was built using the ancient stitching technique. No screws have been used in its construction and has been built by the only remaining family who know this art. This is not just an ancient technique of ship-building, but a resurgence of Indian history. I feel blessed to be here. Such a legacy ship can be used for tourism in the future.' The Indian Navy played a central role in the project, overseeing the design, technical validation, and construction process. With no surviving blueprints of such vessels, the design had to be inferred from iconographic sources. The Navy collaborated with the shipbuilder to recreate the hull form and traditional rigging, and ensured that the design was validated through hydrodynamic model testing at the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, and internal technical assessment. The newly inducted vessel incorporates several culturally significant features. Her sails display motifs of the Gandabherunda and the Sun, her bow bears a sculpted Simha Yali , and a symbolic Harappan style stone anchor adorns her deck, each element evoking the rich maritime traditions of ancient India. Named after Kaundinya, the legendary Indian mariner who sailed across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia, the ship serves as a tangible symbol of India's long-standing traditions of maritime exploration, trade, and cultural exchange. Inducted as an Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV), Kaundinya will be based at Karwar. The ship will now embark on her next historic phase, involving preparations for a transoceanic voyage along the ancient trade route from Gujarat to Oman, scheduled for later this year. (ANI)
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Time of India
Heritage conservation projects launched
Indore: To preserve the rich cultural heritage and attract a higher influx of tourists, the Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museums, Madhya Pradesh, launched conservation and restoration projects across various heritage sites. The selected locations include the historic Hamma Hamir ki Kothi and Barood Khana in Orchha, Garh Kundar Fort in Niwari, Loh Garh Fort, and the fort at Sabalgarh in Morena. The Directorate commenced work at several identified sites, with expectations for additional projects to kick off in the coming Shekhar Shukla, principal secretary of Tourism and Culture, Madhya Pradesh, said "We are committed to preserving these and many more invaluable heritage sites for future generations. These are are a part of our cultural rejuvenation initiatives aimed at "Vitasta se Vikas tak" and also position Madhya Pradesh as a prime destination for history and culture buffs. We believe that with proper care and conservation, these sites will become major tourist attractions while fostering a deeper appreciation for our rich and diverse cultural legacy."In Indore, an agency was tasked with the interior renovation of Lalbagh, which includes repairs to furniture, tapestry, upholstery, and painting. This project, assigned in November 2023, is set to be completed in three years, with an estimated budget of approximately Rs 6 crore. The conservation process across sites involves a variety of techniques such as structural pointing, roof and wall restoration, and the enhancement of main entrances. An official comment from the directorate states, "We are committed to preserving these invaluable heritage sites for future generations. These initiatives not only honour our rich history but also position Madhya Pradesh as a prime destination for heritage tourism. We believe that with proper conservation, these sites will attract numerous tourists while fostering a deeper appreciation for our cultural legacy." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
The Hindu
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Beauty and the buzz: over 7,000 make a play for Miss World 2025 event passes
Telangana Tourism's move to distribute complimentary entry passes for the general public to attend events of the ongoing Miss World 2025 has drawn an overwhelming response, with over 7,000 registrations recorded within just three days of the announcement. The announcement for the distribution of complimentary passes was made by Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary for Youth Advancement, Tourism and Culture on May 6. He stated that the passes would be issued through an official online selection process hosted on the Telangana Tourism website. To be considered for the passes, interested participants had to engage in an interactive quiz based on Telangana's culture and heritage. According to Tourism officials, applicants were required to correctly answer five questions, such as identifying the State song and selecting the UNESCO heritage site located in Telangana. The response was swift and enthusiastic. However, as the number of applications surged past 7,000, the department paused the selection process. Now, those attempting to register are redirected to a Google form that displays a message acknowledging the influx. 'We are overwhelmed with your responses. We have received over 7,000 requests. Eligible applicants will be accommodated for the first few public events. We will open the registration window once again after 10 days,' the message reads. The notice, posted two days ago, suggests the next round of registrations may open next week. Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Ranjan highlighted the significance of public participation in the global event. 'The initiative offers a unique opportunity for citizens to attend and experience a global celebration of beauty, talent and cultural diversity. We invite all to register and be part of this prestigious occasion,' he said. Miss World 2025 is being hosted across multiple venues in Telangana, culminating in the grand finale on May 31 at the Hitex Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad.
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Telangana invites citizens to apply online for curated entry to Miss World 2025
The Telangana government has opened online registrations for complimentary entry passes to the Miss World 2025 events, which is scheduled to begin in Hyderabad on May 10 with a grand opening ceremony. Citizens can register on the Telangana Tourism website to be considered through a curated selection process. Announcing the initiative during a press conference at a high-end hotel in Hyderabad on Tuesday, officials highlighted the event's significance in boosting the State's visibility on the global tourism map. Speaking about the preparations, Tourism and Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said, 'Hosting this global event is an honour for Telangana. All arrangements have been made meticulously to ensure a world-class experience, from state-of-the-art infrastructure and security to cultural programmes and hospitality. Miss World is not just a celebration of beauty and talent but a platform for diversity and global unity. The world will witness the soul of Telangana. We invite the world to experience the timeless appeal of our State.' Chairman of the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation, Patel Ramesh Reddy, echoed this sentiment, stating, 'Delegates from across the world and the Miss World Organisation will be part of this event. It will provide a tremendous boost to Telangana Tourism and open up many new opportunities.' Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary of Tourism department, highlighted the effort behind bringing the event to Hyderabad. 'This event was brought to Hyderabad with a lot of effort. We want the world and the contestants to experience Telangana's rich heritage, culture, cuisine and hospitality. People usually think of places like the Taj Mahal in Agra and Kerala when they think of Indian tourism. With this event, Telangana will find its place on the global tourism map,' he said. 'We want to make this an inclusive event. On the Telangana Tourism website, people can now request complimentary entry passes. This is not a standalone event; it will serve as a foundation to bring more global engagements and cultural activities to the State,' he added. Selected individuals will receive a confirmation e-mail upon completing the engagement activity online. This e-mail will serve as official proof for collecting the passes, which will be distributed from May 8 at the Box Office, Gachibowli Stadium. 'This State exemplifies the values of our mission, 'Beauty With a Purpose'. With its rich cultural heritage, vibrant modernity, and extraordinary hospitality, Telangana is the perfect partner for this global celebration of beauty, purpose and unity,' said Julia Morley, chairman and CEO, Miss World Organisation. Miss India 2023, Nandini Gupta who will represent India in Miss World 2025, said, 'Hyderabad is a top medical destination which is attracting people worldwide. Telangana's charm, warmth and diversity will certainly be a memorable backdrop for this transformative journey. I am excited to welcome the world here.'
