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Dharmatma Saran – Redefining beauty standards with trailblazing Miss India Worldwide
“We are all about Indian culture, traditions, values, and performing arts,” says the chairman and founder of the New York-based India Festival Committee (IFC) in an exclusive tête-à-tête with New India Abroad.
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Dharmatma Saran with the contestants and the reigning Queen Monica Gill at the pageant held in Mumbai / Photo Courtesy: worldwidepaegants.com
In the fascinating world of beauty, a name that repeatedly strikes a chord is that of Dharmatma Saran. Known to pave the way for new talent and offer a platform that imbibes Indian values, traditions, and culture, Saran (for the unversed) is a pioneer in media, entertainment & performing arts while also having served the real estate and insurance sector for a while.
Saran, originally from Patna, Bihar, first arrived in NYC in 1971 and gradually made a place for himself in a small and close-knit Indian community. He shares, “Starting a new life in a city that never sleeps was difficult for me. Back then, there were hardly 10,000-15,000 Indians in New York and New Jersey.
If you spotted another Indian on the train, initiating a conversation and exchanging telephone numbers was quite natural. Today, the Indian population has grown significantly across the United States, reaching about 6 million. In the New York and New Jersey area alone, there are approximately 2 million people of Indian origin.”
In the year 1974, Saran and associates introduced Indian fashion shows to a local Indian festival happening at the famous Central Park and was stunned to witness the remarkable enthusiasm in people. That propelled him to think about it; hence, the idea of conducting Miss India USA came to life.
Who knew an idea that he would conceive in the basement of than Air India Office in Manhattan in 1980 will prosper into the illustrious Miss India Worldwide Pageants today, captivating millions of hearts in more than 40 countries. At that time, there were no international Indian pageants, which further added to the excitement and rage.
But even though the pageantry did extraordinarily well, paving the way for Indian talent and elevating its status and allure to global level, Saran doesn’t shy away from accepting that it was a rather arduous journey to embark upon.
“Initially, we reached out to friends and organizations across various states to launch this initiative. In earlier days, with no email or social media, contacting media houses to cover an event was a big hassle. But somehow, we found a way; India Today magazine expressed intent to cover our event. They sent a photographer to capture images of all the contestants with their crowns days before the coronation. The photos were then swiftly sent to India, enabling the magazine to announce the winner post-event and feature her story and picture in their subsequent issue.”
Miss India Worldwide 2016 receiving her cash prize of US$8000 from Neelam Saran. / Courtesy of Dharmatma SaranAnother challenge Saran points out was securing visas to the United States for the contestants. He had to closely liaise with the US embassies in different countries, provide necessary documents, and support the participants throughout the process. It’s no surprise that with all the hard work, the platform garnered immense attention quickly, prompting several countries to collaborate with Saran and host Miss India Worldwide.
“It’s been 34 years we have hosted the pageant every year except during COVID. The first competition in 1990 featured participants from 12 countries; presently, it spans over 35 nations. So far, the pageant has been hosted in various countries including South Africa, India, Singapore, UAE, Suriname, Malaysia,” he beams.
Current winners of the 2023 pageant held in Pune. / Courtesy of Dharmatma Saran
Today, Miss India Worldwide has been acclaimed as the “most glamorous Indian function in the world.” Saran emphasizes that being the only international Indian pageant, it is no less than any other mainstream beauty platform in the world.
The contestants gain meaningful opportunities by participating in it. The winner receives $8,000 in cash and a fully paid trip to five countries, an unmatched prize. The process is pretty simple – contestants should be of Indian descent, age 18 and above, and hold citizenship and residency of the country they represent. The pageant comprises four segments – Indian Traditional, Evening Gown, Talent, and Final Question.
There is an additional round where the contestant gets a chance to be awarded the title of Miss Photogenic and the title of Miss Beautiful Smile based on the selection made by the experts. Winners from national pageants worldwide compete for the prestigious title of Miss India Worldwide.
The pageant usually lasts a week. All the contestants undergo rigorous training under the supervision of a professional ramp trainer and Bollywood choreographer. “A jury (which includes distinguished individuals possibly from Indian film industry or other prominent fields) is empaneled for selecting the winner. We try to have new jury members every year. Additionally, we also invite judges from around the world to ensure an international panel.” adds Saran.
The inspiring journey of Miss India Worldwide, which served as a beacon of hope for so many, has seen several prominent figures grace its hall of fame. Its alumni include famous personalities like lawyer, actor, and eminent content curator Shivani Wazir Pasrich, Channel V VJ Ruby Bhatia, Kamal Sidhu, Bela Bajaria, current VP of Netflix and head of its non-English content, along with actresses Aarti Chabria, Kubbra Sait, Pallavi Sharda, Richa Gangopadhyay, Monica Gill and so many more…There is no stopping here, as Saran admits to having ambitious plans for the platform.
“In due course of time, we have expanded our offerings to include Mrs. India Worldwide and Miss Teen India Worldwide, both of which run concurrently with Miss India Worldwide.” The Indian American entrepreneur aims to acquire a presence in 35 countries very soon and expand to 50 countries in the coming years. His deep-seated passion is wholeheartedly supported by his family—his wife, Neelam, and two daughters – Neema and Ankaata.
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