In a first for an international beauty pageant winner, reigning Miss World Karolina Bielawska will visit Kashmir on Monday on a day-long tour for an event.According to Rouble Nagi, the chairperson of a Mumbai-based organisation engaged in women empowerment, Ms Bielawska will arrive in Kashmir with other pageant winners, including Miss World India Sini Shetty and Miss World Caribbean Emmy Pena.
"Gar firdaus bar-rue zamin ast, hami asto, hamin asto, hamin asto (If there is a heaven on earth, it's here, it's here, it's here). And how is it possible that Miss World would miss heaven?" Ms Nagi told news agency.
The entrepreneur said her foundation has championed artistic expression, community development, and cultural exchange."This collaboration is yet another manifestation of the foundation's commitment to creating memorable experiences that transcend boundaries," she added.
The event is being held in collaboration with Jamil Saidi, Chairman PME entertainment in India, and Jammu and Kashmir Tourism.
Ms Bielawska's visit to Jammu and Kashmir comes ahead of the 71st edition of the Miss World 2023 pageant, to be held in India later this year.
Secretary Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir administration Syed Abid Rasheed Shah told PTI this pre-event tour of the Miss World pageant is taking place in the region months after the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting held in Kashmir.
"It's an indication of the transformative nature of the G20 event in the tourism sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Major events of national and international importance are now being planned and organised," Mr Shah said.As per trends this year, Mr Shah said the authorities are expecting a "record-breaking" number of tourists, both domestic and international."The number of inbound tourists (foreigners) is a record high in the last 33 years. From the Miss World pre-event tour, we expect the guests to be the ambassadors of Jammu and Kashmir's beauty and hospitality throughout the world," he said.
During the day-long tour, Miss World and other the dignitaries, including Miss World America Shree Saini, Miss World England Jessica Gagen, and Miss Asia Pricilia Carla Saputri Yules, would take a boat ride at the iconic Dal Lake besides meeting the press and later calling on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.This event will not only showcase the region's picturesque landscapes, but also provide a platform for local artists and artisans to interact with the guests, added Rouble Nagi, who hails from Jammu.The arrivals in the aftermath of the successful third G20 tourism working group meeting from May 22 to 24 in Srinagar is expected to break all previous records this year.With the support of the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, this initiative aims to shine a spotlight on the breathtaking beauty of Srinagar, the cultural diversity of the region, and the warmth of its people, Ms Nagi said. "You can immerse yourself in the rich traditions of the Kashmiri Pandits, Dogras, and Gujjars, each with their unique customs and vibrant festivals," she added.