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At this year’s Miss Universe competition in Thailand, India’s representative Manika Vishwakarma is proving that true elegance goes far beyond couture. The reigning Miss Universe India has been crafting a narrative of modern Indian femininity that is defined by quiet strength, mindful confidence and a personal style language that feels both global and deeply rooted. As she moves through the pageant calendar, her presence reflects a refreshing shift: beauty queens today are not just faces of fashion, but voices shaping cultural conversations.
During the chain reaction interview round on November 16, Manika Vishwakarma was presented with a legacy question – one that instantly evokes nostalgia for Sushmita Sen’s iconic win in 1994: “What for you
is the essence of being a woman?”
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Instead of relying on familiar rhetoric, Manika elevated the moment with thoughtful nuance. She revisited Sushmita’s celebrated response, which was centred around a woman’s nurturing power, and positioned it as a timeless truth, one she respects yet seeks to expand. She said, “When an 18-year-old girl in the Philippines answered this question in 1994, stating, ‘What is the essence of being a woman?’ She stated it very simply: Being a woman is about the ability to nurture a life, to nurture every single thing around you.”
She continued, “I would just elaborate on it. As women, we’re often seen by society in certain roles. However, I want women to see themselves as a person, as a human. Yes, we’ve the ability to nurture. Yes, we’ve the ability to create life, and not just create life, but actually beautify every single thing around us.”
“That’s the essence of being a woman: the ability to not just beautify but embrace and amplify the beauty of every single thing around us. Being a woman is being infinite, and that’s the essence of being a woman,” she concluded.
While her answer made headlines, her style choices throughout the competition spoke just as loudly. Manika has embraced understated glamour with sleek silhouettes, deliberate tailoring and a palette that blends classic sophistication with youthful freshness. Every look feels crafted to mirror the kind of woman she is presenting: confident, aware, and intentional.
Her wardrobe, curated with precision, leans on sculptural gowns, minimalistic metallics and a hint of Indian craftsmanship – never overwhelming, always elevated. It’s fashion with purpose, a visual continuation of her ethos.
A Modern Representative For A Modern India
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Currently completing her degree in Political Science and Economics, the 22-year-old Delhi-based beauty queen brings academic curiosity and cultural awareness to the Miss Universe stage. Her presence signals the evolution of India’s pageant identity – one that values intellect as much as glamour.
As the world anticipates the 74th Miss Universe finale on November 21 in Pak Kret, Thailand, one thing is unmistakable: Manika Vishwakarma isn’t just competing. She’s shaping a conversation, embodying a premium, powerful interpretation of womanhood that is rooted in depth, elegance and infinite possibility.
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